Disappointing to those who read the book, but for those who didn't...

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2003)

Upon finishing 'Return of the King' last night at 3 in the morning, I felt that I had seen one of the best movies ever completed. I have not read the books (except for the Hobbit, which technically doesn't count) but on so many levels I enjoyed 'Return of the King'. I'm sure much was left out of the movies, but that is to be expected; one can put down a book and return to reading when they want to, but people pay to sit through a 3 hour movie in one sitting, so everything must be condensed, obviously. The sheer beauty of this movie is unchallenged by any movie I can think of, besides 'Baraka'. The acting, while being quite dramatized (my only minor complaint) is necessary given the nature of the movie (fantasy, dragons, romanticism, etc.). The action is phenomenal and the battle sequences are filmed superbly. Interaction between the actors and the fantastic creatures is very believable and the sound, musical, and visual aspects of each battle draw the viewer in and raise their heart rate, that being what I found, at least. I am prepared to say that the trilogy is the most important and well made group of movies in the history of film making, and I doubt any will compare. The scope of Peter Jackson's artistic vision is unsurpassed by any director I know. For 'Return of the Kings', all the stops were pulled. The moods conveyed in each scene contribute to 'Return of the King' being more than a simple movie; it helps to draw the audience into the fantastic world of J.R.R. Tolkien. I acknowledge that many people who have read his books will disagree with that I'm saying, but from a point of view judging the movie on movie standards (which is how it should be judged...RotK as Peter Jackson created it is NOT a book, it's a movie), Return of the King proves to be one fantastic movie.