A fine film

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2003)

One of the most important considerations to take into account when analyzing a film like this is the issue of medium. We must realize that there is simply no way to transfer a work of art from one medium to another. Sure, we may agree that Tolkien's book are masterpieces. And we can say that an adaptation of such a great work has a better chance of being a great work in its own right. But we must not mistake one work for the other. Peter Jackson's films are not the books. Now there's no getting around the obvious connections between the two. Many of us have grown up with a vivid image of Middle Earth in our heads, and we should expect to compare this vision with what is presented on the screen. But they will not, can not, be the same vision.
So issues such as changes made to the plotline should be considered (as much as possible) within the context of the film. Did the omission of Shelob create a better story, or worse? Did Aragorn's little near-death excursion improve the pacing and flow of the narrative or not? Faramir? The Elf battalion? We obviously can not remove from our selves all previous conceptions of Middle Earth, but we must remember that these films are NOT actually Tolkien's LOTR. They must be considered on their own.
I appreciate PJ's decision to make TTT a more action-orriented film. An attempt to recreate Tolkien's TT would have made a much less interesting and beautiful film. For the most part, the casting continues to be first rate. Although she will never match my original conception, M. Otto's Eowyn was a particularly thrilling character. As with most, I was confused by Faramir's characterization. I think, however, that a fully introduced Faramir coming at the end of the film would have been awkward and would have greatly detracted from the film real hero, Aragorn. So we'll have to wait for TROTK to see Faramir in full force. The looks of the Ents was less than spectacular, but they came off fairly well as a whole. Wood's Frodo continues to descend into a frightening sort of madness and Austin's Sam continues to develop. I couldn't help but chuckle at the inclusion of Sam's story speech near the end. Insert director's tough into cheek.

In the end, this is a fine film, although not quite as good as last year's Fellowship. Personal rating are subjective, but as much as I love the film with its beauty and tragedy so masterfully portrayed, this is no top ten of all time film. It is, however, a brilliant fusion of heroic drama, deep apreciation of ideals, and spectacular technique.