Something you haven't seen before, and never will again...

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2003)

*** May contain spoilers ***
'The End'
As the credits rolled on Return of The King and Annie Lennox's voice softly started singing 'Into the the West' I felt something I had never felt before concerning movies.
Words almost cannot express my feeling towards this movie. It is almost impossible to write a review about this masterpiece. This is not a movie you see, it is one you experience. You get drawn into the screen and live the story.
Because I loved the previous movies so much and absolutely adored the story (I have read the books, mind you), this was THE most expected film of my young life. I expected something pretty good, but this was something overwhelming, something mind blowing.
I cannot write a descent review about it, so I will take some aspects from the film and discuss them.
The story begins with Déagol and Sméagol having a innocent fishing trip, but a few minutes later it turns into a drama, with Sméagol murdering his friend (That's where Gollum's line 'Murderer' from The Two Towers comes from) and taking The Ring. Smart move by Jackson, putting this 'prologue' in the movie, so that people who haven't read the books know how Gollum came to be.
In this film, you see more character depth than in the previous ones. With Sam and Frodo drifting apart, Merry and Pippin's separate paths, Aragorn accepting who he was born to be, Faramir's miserable relationship with Denethor, Théoden showing his iron strong will, and so on. It all shows...
The photography here is some of the most most breathtaking I have ever seen. Some obvious examples are the lighting of the beacons in Minas Tirith and the shots that follow it, Legolas standing outside The Golden Hall, the shots when Gandalf is ascending the seven rings of Minas Tirith, the battle sequences at Minas Tirith.
The acting is somewhat the same as the previous ones, not something special, but very solid nonetheless. One performance truly stands out, Sean Astin's role as the loyal gardener, Sam. It's moving when you see a person that is so dedicated to his role as his. Excellent...
Action, action, action... There is plenty, but unlike any other blockbuster action movie, it's something that will leave you grasping for air in your seat.
The highlight of all the battle sequences (and believe me, there are plenty of them) is the charge of the Rohirrim at Minas Tirith. The opening shots of all those soldiers standing there, just seconds before they throw themselves into the armies of Mordor will give you goosebumps.
But when Théoden starts speeching to his troops (Ride now!, Ride Now!... Death, DEATH, DEATH!!!) and march into battle, those were the most incredible scenes I have EVER seen. The combination of Howard Shore's Rohan's music that is sped up a little and the amazing editing of that scene almost made me cry out of amazement and had me not breathing for almost half a minute. Sounds strange huh, almost crying during a battle scene? But I guarantee you, you will be moved by this scene.
The Army of The Dead was convincing too, not your average CGI characters, but looked incredible. You can really see the fierceness of the dead ones, because they fled from Isildur and went to the mountains to hide in shame, they were so eager to be released from their spell. You can see this in a scene in the background where you can see a Mumakil being torn town to the ground by these soldiers.
And Shelob, wow, Shelob. It's beyond the Book. Scarier than I thought it would be, so quiet, so careful, so convincing. The scene where Frodo was stung by Shelob almost made me jump from my seat, very well done. Maybe a small flaw in these scenes is the fact that Frodo was stung, but does have his Mithril shirt on. Maybe this is a mistake, or Frodo just got stung in his upper leg.
The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Minas Morgul were exactly as I imagined they would be.
The ever miserable Gollum (not in the negative way) continues his way with the hobbits, meanwhile, he's cooking up a plan to regain the Ring. Again, magnificently acting by Andy Serkis. As for Gollum's end, it's slightly different than in the Books, but as he plunged into Mount Doom with the Ring, his expressions were kind of twisted. Knowing that he's falling to his death with the Ring and still smiling.

The music, well, one thing is for sure. Howard Shore did his homework, big time. One day after seeing RoTK, I went out and bought the OST (already owning the previous two). It's powerful, but less than The Two Tower's soundtrack. I was surprised by Billy Boyd's and Viggo Mortensen's appearance on the soundtrack. Emotionally charged music, a good way to describe it.

And there's one thing that 'rules' the movie. Goosebumps. I cannot count the times I had them during this movie. Maybe some examples to explain this...

Gandalf saving Faramir and his troops when they flee to Minas Tirith (Just when Gandalf's staff begins to shine, the beautiful voice of Ben del Maestro is heard on the soundtrack, superb) - Pippin singing to Denethor as Faramir and his troops ride to their doom. - The Rohirrim charge at Minas Tirith as I sad before - 'For Frodo...' - The coming of the eagles at The Black Gate (the little moth appearing in front of Gandalf's face) - 'I cannot carry it for you, but I can carry you!'

The ending is maybe a tad long, but still doesn't get boring in the end.
As for the parts that were cut out for the theatrical release (being Saruman's scenes and The Scourching of The Shire), the movie is already up to 3h21m. any longer, people will be tired as hell. It's suitable for the Extended DVD, when you have all the time in the world. But it wouldn't work in the cinema, because you already have 5 or 6 endings to finish the movie.
And watch out, a lot of people will cry during the endings!
Well, that's about it. As far as I'm concerned, Star wars has been dethroned, concerning trilogies.
A solid 10/10.