The conclusion of a masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2003)

This film was beautiful, and it really brings everything from the previous near seven hours of film to a head. There were some small story elements I felt weren't tied up in the end, and some events that happened I wish they'd have elaborated more on. For instance, what becomes of Saruman now locked up in his tower at Isengard? What of the seeing stone Gandalf got from Isengard? What was the reason for certain characters sailing to the undying lands in the end? I feel the movie sort of left these details hanging in speculation, which has not been the pattern in the previous two installments.
Regardless, the movie was excellent. All of the performances are top notch, and the cinematography is something to behold especially during the battle at Minas Tirith. There are so many characters on different paths during the meat of the story, and at the end they all manage to be on the same thread, and that is great filmmaking. This is the largest of the trilogy, and it takes its sweet time concluding. It is worth the wait, and worth the hype. Easily one of the years best. Get plenty of popcorn, you won't want to leave for even a minute.