The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Also known as "The Return of the King"
The journey ends
Starring: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, John-Rhys Davies, Bernard Hill, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Lawrence Makoare, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving
Director: Peter Jackson
Running Time: 201 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 12A
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After watching 'The Return of the King', I was left squabbling with myself - a bit like Gollum, actually. Half of me is already excited about seeing what director Peter Jackson will bring us next (it's 'King Kong', by the way). But the other half of me knows that it's going to be virtually impossible for him to top what he has done in bringing 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy so spectacularly to the big screen.
Again we join hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) as they attempt to reach the lava-flooded land of Mordor and destroy Middle Earth's nastiest piece of jewellery. Meanwhile, the big battle scenes rage on more convincingly than ever as Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and the rest of the gang do their best to keep the pig-ugly orcs at bay.
Practically perfect in its execution, right now I find it hard to imagine a greater feat of film-making being accomplished not only in the next few years, but in my lifetime. The complete trilogy blows all previous fantasy projects, including the original 'Star Wars' flicks, out of the water. And don't even mention 'The Matrix' movies, because I'll more than likely scoff in your general direction.
The big screen experience places you right in the middle of the action, with giant boulders flying past and beasties bellowing all around. There's less comic relief this time round, but in its place is a darker tone that makes parts of this movie considerably more frightening than many outright horror flicks. In fact, the spider scene alone would be seen my many Hollywood honchos as having the makings of a film in its own right. Here, though, it's just a part of something much, much bigger.
For a movie of such mammoth length to provide such non-stop enthrallment is, as far as I'm concerned, a near-miracle. There are so many films that can't rivet me for five minutes, let alone have me on the edge of my seat for over three hours. This is the movie that makes sitting through Hollywood's never-ending stream of dross seem worthwhile.
As a stand-alone experience, this final 200 minute chapter is the trilogy's crowning glory, with an overall quality that surpasses both of its excellent predecessors. Jackson - and perhaps also that Tolkien bloke - has saved the best for last, bringing us the biggest, boldest, and most captivating film I can ever recall seeing.
It's Got: A giant arachnid, some flying heads, an army of 'Pirates of the Caribbean'-style ghoulies, and Boromir's ginger brother getting it in the neck from Dad.
It Needs: A dentist for Gollum and a few of those orcs.
Alternatives: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Summary: Quite possibly the best movie ever made.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 17th December 2003
External Links
Official Web Site
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King at the IMDB
Comments9 Comments |
| L.O.T.R return of the king is the climax of the three parts; therefore it is the most emotional one for all characters, it will eventually be the best of all because more and more effort will be put into it. The animation of the battles was magnificent; the battle of Minas-Tirith was actually, the greatest battle ever waged on screen. Or the creature Gollum. No wonder the movie had won 11 academy awards and was nominated for four Oscars. The most important thing about the film is that it sends out a great them for the audience, and it is true friendship matters, and that either you unit or you will fall. As we all know, music is an essential part to the movie, Canadian Howard Shore the composer of lord of the rings music, made superb music, which spoke about the certain seen. For example, the dramatic song when Gandalf falls in the mines of Moria. This movie reminds me of , The Massage, it shows the great battles and the animation, the story is very clear and obvious, and that's what makes the movie a fascinating adventure. All that was excellent, but there was still a missing ingredient to the movie, and it was a briefness of ONE battle and it was the battle of the black gates, it gives you the impression that the director is trying to end off quickly. I think that it should have been longer because it is the last, interesting action that the audience see and it should leave something on their faces. Equally important, the ending of the movie was a little bit too long and unorganized, a lot of things were happening at the same time, and the audience got a little confused. And some things seemed like a dragging to the end, like when Aragorn sang the Elvish song, and I think that it was irrelevant for what was happening. So the conclusion could have been more effective. however it was an excellent movie. ***** |
| Comment by:- bellal. j | | 24 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| the best movie ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 16 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| I love lord of the rings. its such a cool movie. my favorite part is the part with the big elephants. sometimes i wish i lived in that time. |
| Comment by:- tomm greenblight | www.bluemountain.com | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| how many people have seen "The Return of the King" till Nov. 2004? |
| Comment by:- John Andreasen | | 13 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| It was tremendously outstanding!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- Ada A | | 16 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Return of the King is by far the best fantasy movie Ive ever seen and it is quite deserving of the academy award; all 11 of them. However as a Tolkien fan i was quite disappointed with all the important and cool scenes that were missing from the book. One being the fight Aragorn has with Sauron's Lieutanant in front of the black gates. I am pretty sure the extended edition dvd will include it and i advise everyone who even has an interest in the movie to pick up the extended edition. You wont be disappointed. |
| Comment by:- Shane Uddin | | 16 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| I thought that the original ROTK sucked, and that is as much detail as I will go into because everyone thinks that. The EE, however, was much much better. The reason why I am writing here is because I am going anywhere I can to ask people (who have seen the Extended Edition of Return Of The King), if it should be shown in theaters? Those who were lucky enough to get tickets to the showing of the Two Towers Extended and The Fellowship Extended would gladly say that they had a great time. Soooo WHAT DO YOU THINK EVERYONE - SHOULD RETURN OF THE KING EXTENDED EDITION GO TO THEATERS? |
| Comment by:- KMR | | 19 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| that filmwas the best ever and deasrued more than 11 awords |
| Comment by:- someboy he he he | | 19 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| ROTK is the one film that deserves an A+. seen it 32 times and never tired seeing it again. its a real treat! |
| Comment by:- Latifa | | 24 December 2004 | ip: logged |
