The best aspect of `Return of the King' would be its emotion.

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2003)

Peter Jackson's completed `Lord of the Rings Trilogy' is by far one of the finest trilogies in cinematic history. Moreover, its final film `The Return of the King' is possibly the best of the three. Why? We are so taken by the film's intensity from its epic battle scenes to the struggle of Frodo and Sam in their quest to rid the world of the ring. What plays out on the screen moves us and rouses us in ways that drive us to tears and applause during the final act. But the most saddening part for the moviegoer is that it is over. The film begins with the history of Gollum finding the ring and killing his friend Deagol for it. Then the films picks up where `The Two Towers' left off; a return to Rohan and the decision to help defend the last stronghold of men, Minas Tirith, from the dark lord Sauron. But the peril of the ring bearer deepens. Frodo and Sam move closer to Mount Doom every day with their guide Gollum. To be expected, Gollum still wants the ring for himself. He does this by pitting Frodo and Sam against each other because he knows that Sam does not trust him. As such, the journey grows darker for Frodo and Sam as mistrust develops, and the weight of the ring grows on Frodo. Between the last battle for Middle Earth at Minas Tirith, and struggle for Frodo to destroy the ring, `The Return of the King' guides the characters into challenges that were unheard of in its previous stories. What's more-an unforgettable ending.	Naturally, one would expect the highest level of visual effects-we certainly get them. The battle at Minas Tirith is one of the grandest battle sequences ever put on celluloid, although it is only a visual effect. Armies of thousands upon thousands of orcs storm the city, while a group of riders on horses storm the army. The scene is amazing as we watch the men on horseback ride hard into battle. Their speed is amazing, as are their efforts at destroying the army. Furthermore, the design of Minas Tirith is exquisite. The creation of the city was two fold-partly built in a large quarry where the scene for Helms Deep was made for `The Two Towers.' Also, some of the shots were made out of a small model combined with computer generated visual effects. The end result gives such grand detail, that we can even see the weathering of the city's stone.	The best aspect of `Return of the King' would be its emotion. The possibility of the death of Frodo or Sam will drive even the strongest person to tears. For me, the most memorable and heart wrenching scene is where Frodo has collapsed in Sam's arms as they climb up the side of Mount Doom. Sam tries to remind Frodo of memories of the Shire in spring, but Frodo's response is `I can't recall the taste of food, the sound of water, or the touch of grass.' It becomes ever clearer what Frodo is trying to save, home. Furthermore, it shows how fragile the things that we take for granted in life really are-warm days filled with sunlight, times with friends, and the beauty of nature.	Although for some it may be difficult after such a long time sitting through the movie, stay through the end credits and listen to the beautiful song, `Into the West' performed by Annie Lennox. It is remarkably moving, as is the score by composer Howard Shore. ****