Wonderful realization, minor flaws

Rating: 8/10 (18 December 2003)

The Return of the King fulfills the story lines from the first two Lord of the Rings films, tying up even the seemingly most unnecessary divergences from Tolkien's story. However, the price for Tolkien fans will be the failure of necessary and much desired tears to fall where they should rightfully fall. Jackson's masterful vision wins the day, despite some liberties taken. The battle scenes are perhaps the greatest of all film history, and certainly the most fantastic.