Excellent film, though somewhat disappointing

Rating: 8/10 (6 September 2004)

!Mild Spoilers! This movie was one of the greatest films I've seen in my entire life. The special effects were amazing, the acting was excellent, and the music was superb. Peter Jackson did some changes, which, I think, made the movie far superior to the book.(when Gollum sets Sam up;it made Gollum more sinister. It didn't happen in the book, but not surprising for Gollum.) However, some of the scenes cut out of the movie were the most important; such as the Houses of Healing. The Scouring of the Shire isn't even the movie; one of my favorite parts of the book. They also added things that DID NOT need to be added. (such as when Frodo sent Sam away. As if one would choose sickly lookin' Gollum instead of faithful Sam. Oh my gosh, that part was just ludicrous.) If you like emotional scenes, filled with blubbering and wailing, you'll like the Frodo and Sam parts of the movie. It's like they're crying in every single scene. Now, I can understand Faramir's teary eyes, when his father says he wishes he'd die instead of Boromir. But, red eyes and tear-stained cheeks grate on my nerves when I see them every few minutes. Too emotional, to my way of thinking.
Also, the battle scenes were better than Helm's Deep, but I didn't like it as much. In The Two Towers, Helm's Deep is the deciding point if the good guys will win or lose. In TRoTK, the demise of the Ring is the factor. The battle is not as urgent as in Helm's Deep, when the Rohirrim are fighting for their women and children. The absence of Aragorn was disappointing as well. Gandalf as an inspirational leader just doesn't click. The end part dragged, as I think some other people stated. They could have made it SHORTER, and put the IMPORTANT parts instead. This movie had its strengths as well, though, such as the humor and battle sequences. All in all, I think it was a good movie. I enjoyed the solos performed by Viggo and Billy Boyd. However, I think that the Special Edition DVD will be a far better movie, since there are no time restraints, and we can see the parts of the movie that needed to be seen. i look forward to purchasing it.