Film making at its most daring...

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2019)

Jackson's splendid adaptation of the Lord of the Rings comes to a fitting conclusion in this multifaceted emotionally draining work. I could discuss how every aspect of the production is utterly engrossing. The best feature of this trilogy is the way in which the film transports you to middle-earth as a fully alternative reality. I could discuss the great cast, several of whom give career defining performances; and how they each give operatic and Shakespearean performances that are really work. Or I could discuss the complexity of the screen story and the script largely preserves the board outline of a great myth. But I rather discuss how this film is incredibly daring.
Jackson pushed the then cutting edge special effects to the breaking point. (Indeed a few dozen shots standout as just beyond the tech's ability). But more than that he risked much by breaking the rules. There are model shots that last for over a minute. There are CGI shots with hundreds of elements. Certain excesses in the design, i.e. the witchking's mace, are so strident and so stark they could have fallen into camp. And yet Jackson dared to go there because he knew it would work. And work it does.
But beyond that Jackson and company wrestled with a highly complicated text that is riddled with issues that could have sunk an adaptation. Large swaths of the book don't work on screen (or on the page in some cases). This film makes the necessary changes because Jackson and company dared to stand up to criticism. It is a remarkable testament to Jackson's convictions that he took on this project at all.
This is a grand film.