Too much left out

Rating: 9/10 (26 December 2003)

I have been an avid fan of Jackson's LOTR trilogy. This is despite the fact that I was only partially impressed by Tolkien's book which I read years ago.
However I must say that there are a few serious problems with ROTK. And the sad thing is, it could have been avoided so easily. The problem is simple - too many important scenes have been edited out and a few trivial scenes have found their way into the film. Now, I am not complaining about the ending (it was appropriate for a trilogy this grand), Pelennor battle or the Sam/Frodo scenes. The trivial parts were the Osigiliath battle when Faramir's party is routed, Galadriel appearing infront of Frodo (after tunnel scene), Frodo hanging onto the cliff in the climax, Arwen's mortality etc.. I can easily cite a few more examples. These scenes contributed nothing to the film except for a few thrills in the first viewing. Repeat viewing will show viewers the utter banality of these parts in the movie.
The movie badly missed Saruman, resolution of the love triangle between Aragorn/Arwen/Eowyn and Eowyn's determination to follow Aragorn through the paths of the dead. But the powerplay between Gollum and Sam was brilliant and totally unexpected. As good as the change (in the first movie) where Arwen saved Frodo.
Going by the previous EE DVDs, there is every chance that these mistakes become less prominent. However, that will be an entirely new movie. As it is, I must say that the theatrical release of ROTK is not upto the standard set by 'Fellowship' & (to a lesser extent) 'Towers' in being consistent and whole. I give it an 8 out of 10.