A triumph for mind, heart and spirit

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2003)

How can a fantasy movie feel so utterly real? How can mythical creatures like Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits seem closer to your heart than almost any character from so-called "realistic movies"? That question may never quite be answered, but a fact is that Peter Jackson delivered big time with Return of the King. A grand finale to an already incredible trilogy, that delivers on every level.
Yes, the action is incredible. Yes, the excitement is heart-stoppingly good. Yes, the wow-factor is there. Yes, it is infused with genuine emotion. And not unimportantly: yes, it stays very true to the books by Tolkien, and that's a good thing in this case.
In short, Return of the King is an iconic movie, a stepping stone in cinema history, a brilliant exercise in story-telling that will always be loved and adored. This is, even more than 'Fellowship' and 'Towers' a movie where the mind, the heart and the spirit will end up being satisfied to the point of tears. This movie is nothing short of a masterpiece. Only the original Star Wars comes close in terms of impact and in setting the standard for a new generation. It may well be another quarter of a century before Peter Jacksons vision is approached again, let alone eclipsed.

10/10... but I may have to downmark all my other 10's to 9's!