Astounding on so many Levels

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2003)

I saw the midnight screening, worrying if I would fall asleep and miss some of the film, however even though the film was 3+ hours long I was enthralled from the first scene to the finale. What an amazing work.
My experience was altogether different from seeing the first two films. I have read the Fellowship and the Two Towers but had never finished reading Return of the King, thus (even though I knew the general outcome), I was able to allow the movie to unfold to me without saying as I watched, "That's not in the book...That's not there either. Thus I will say that this movie is amazing. It is a triumph of filmmaking, cinematography, special effects, and compelling drama.
The opening flashback to SmÃ©agol's "finding" of the ring enhances the One Ring's already understood psychological power. The film then starts to build energy and emotion and then delivers a powerful climax. What makes this film more believable even though it deals with fantastical images is that the emotions of these characters are real. We see in various characters the gamut of feelings and motivations. These heroes are not all supremely brave and daring souls. There is fear, apprehension, anger, reluctance and despair.
Everyone said that the battle of the Pellenor Field will be greater in scope than Helm's Deep. I was not sure that was possible. How I was wrong. The Oliphants and winged Nazgul are not only formidable but deadly. Many of the battle scenes are as harrowing as they are amazing to watch. It is truly stunning.
Jackson effectively builds further on the relationships that were built in the first two films. My only complaint is that other important yet peripheral characters are not developed more fully. However this would add time to an already mammoth film.
As great as this film is, one must look at it as part three of an epic work. I don't think that this film can rightly be judged individually (although it does stand alone as a great film). Some say that the emotions are somewhat lost. I could not disagree more. The emotion builds over the three films and the climax does not disappoint.
Peter Jackson uses all of the pieces of his "orchestra" to complete this masterpiece. This trilogy will be the measuring stick for all trilogies done before or after. 10/10.