Applause shall be needed

Rating: 9/10 (17 December 2003)

It is impossible to convey the expectation evoked in me by this film. I loved the first two which are amoung my 'favouritist' of films. I am happy beyond words to report that this did not dissapoint.
The acting in this is even better than that in the original with characters such as Merry and Pippen making very emotional performances rather than being used for comic relief. Also Sean Astin deserves a nomination for his performance as Samwise who is the real hero of this film.
Once more technical quality is the best around. The score by Howard Shore tops the first two and the sound is perfect. The Visual effects are the best around, clearing blowing the matrix sequals out of the water; indeed there are a few shots which lack complete photo-realism but thats being too dogmatic. Minas Tirith is also by far the best 'bigature' yet.
Much has been said of the cutting of Saruman from the theatrical cut but it does not detract from the film in any way, what is done seems both fitting and simple. Also the only common complaint by critics is that the ending is too long. I believe it is of perfect length; after watching about ten hours of plot you do not want it to be wrapped up quickly, it is given room to breathe so we can understand the full impact of the story on the characters. This film is very true to the book and while some scenes are missing nothing has been seriously changed.
Overall this is filled with so many sublime scenes that to criticise it would be blasphemy. The Ride of the Rohirrim, Gandalfs arrival at Minas Tirith and Shelobs Lair stand out as principally breathtaking scenes. Indeed the only fault was the fact that the two girls sitting behind me talked through the entire movie... " I ought to wring their filthy little necks"... sorry. Anyway... This is by far the best part of what is shaping to be the best trilogy ever, for once we are given a concluding part that not only lives up to the first two but exceeds them in every way. People applauded at the end, thats never happened any time ive been at my local cinema before.
Go on... give it ten, you know you want too.