a perfect film

Rating: Null/10 (16 March 2004)

With The Return of the King last December we could attend the closing of a fantastic mythic movie cycle; a film trilogy that, in my opinion, constitutes one of the most ambitious attainments of film history.
Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings reflects rather faithfully and exceptionally the spirit and background of the novel trilogy. For instance, the fact that Tolkien wrote this work during World War II, exerts its influence in the way that there is a latent and constant presence of a myth, based on the horrors that the Nazi invasion of Europe and the blitz of London carried. As this is carefully translated into the movie, we can deduce that Jackson knows it properly well.
Technically, this film has striking photography, impressive aerial shots and amazing visuals that let us enjoy, fly and travel through a wonderful landscape inhabited by elves, dwarves, wizards, knights and great mythological monsters, such as a giant spider, or mastodon elephants.
The movie unexpectedly begins with a quick flashback dealing with the finding of the One Ring by the hobbit Deagol, who is murdered by his cousin Smeagol/Gollum, because of his possession of the Ring. This scene, set in an idyllic and sunny landscape, represents a contrast with the adrenaline discharging deeds that follow it. Despite the three and a half hours in length, the combination of the striking visuals, the powerful sound track and the story behind them, make the viewer to pay attention during the entirety of the film. As the previous ones, the way of presenting the story is by means of back and forth cuts between the exploits of the two groups of main characters: following, on the one hand, Gandalf, Aragorn, and the hobbits Merry and Pippin, as they prepare to fight; and, on the other hand, the sufferings of Frodo and Sam in their journey to destroy the Ring. This technique fits perfectly well the suspenseful tone of the plot. As anyone can notice after reading the novel, Jackson and the co-writers depart from Tolkien in some aspects, including certain crucial moments, as when Aragorn leads and encourages the Army of the Dead, that only he can command. Some other events of the book have been summarized or eliminated. Nevertheless, we can attribute it to technical reasons.
Although Frodo and Sam do not participate actively in the war, they are actually involved in another kind of fight: trying to survive against the adversities of their particular adventure. Their guide, the malicious Gollum, is at the same time the direct cause of some of their dangerous situations, as he betrays them. However, his apparently innocent nature and his dual personality provide the funniest scenes of the movie. I must confess that I even became fond of him.
In conclusion, I think that, although this movie is placed at a different level of reality, where other values prevail, nonetheless it is perfect in several aspects: it has action, beautiful backgrounds, meticulous revision, humour, drama and a happy ending. In short, the ideal story for anyone who wishes to enjoy a good film.