The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingby Andrew McKeeSome of you might have read my review of the first two films, Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. Before we look at the trilogy as a whole, we should give the third movie its individual due and see if it completes or hinders the epic. This movie is definitely a worthy conclusion to the series and in a difficult genre; this movie not only delivers depth and entertainment but was awarded a Best Picture Oscar as well. The fantasy genre is a difficult one for movies. Try to think of a fantasy film that has a great script, great acting, and superb special effects. There aren't many. Fantasy has usually been neglected in cinema and most people's favorites are usually B-movies that turn cult classic. The LotR movies have set a standard that hopefully will continue by encouraging studios to do them right. The special Effects in the film are once again cutting edge compared to other films. You can tell that they are more comfortable with the technology since it seems a little better than the two previous films. For the most part the effects blended seamlessly and most important, none of the effects seemed gratuitous. So many films put effects in to cover up story holes. The effects here just add and enhance the story. I have to say that I like how a lot of the characters ended. You get the compassion, courage, and optimism of Sam. You see the innocent and hopeful Frodo, the wise and paternal Gandalf, the strong and noble Aragorn, and the beautiful and determined Eowyn. For most of the characters, the impression you are left with is the same impression you get from the books. I've heard some gripes about bits from the Appendices added to the movies but I have no problem with that. Remember that the Appendices make up over one quarter of the RotK. The look of the different cities as always was magnificent. The artistic help will not be forgotten. I did like the characters in this film with one or two exceptions. Denethor is portrayed as a cowardly tyrannical madman and not as a proud and subtle noble who was corrupted by Sauron through the palantir or seeing stone like Saruman was. In the movie he did not illicit any pity. He was just a device or hurdle that the fellowship had to overcome. Faramir still comes across as a shadow of Boromir but he is not shown in the movie very much. That hopefully will be fixed in the extended DVD. One of my favorite scenes from the book was the courtship of Eowyn by Faramir. All we get to see is them standing next to each other in Gondor smiling at the end of the movie. I hope they filmed more. Peter Jackson has already stated that seven minutes of Saruman will be added to the extended DVD so I won't complain about that. Like I predicted in my other review, there was no Sharkey of the Shire but that is alright. To do it justice, thirty to forty minutes would have to be added and since it doesn't deal with the ring, I understand. I had only one other complaint that I feel can't be fixed since it wasn't an omission but a change. When this series of movies started, I was thinking I'll be happy as long as they get the ending right. So many movies cut endings short and Jerry Bruckheimer would have probably ended it at Gondor with pageantry but luckily it ends with the same line from the book. There was just one thing.... Sam didn't get Bag End. Why? For the life of me I can't figure it out. No one has mentioned this on the net but to me it is a big deal. It gave the books a circular progression in that it started and ended at Bag End. In the book Sam marries Rose and they move in with Frodo at Bag End. Frodo gives Bag End to Sam when he leaves with Bilbo and Gandalf. It makes sense and defines the friendship. They didn't even have to add a line about it but if they did, we are talking five to ten seconds here. I guess it sounds minor but the other changes that were made in the movies made sense to me on some level.... this one doesn't. In closing, this is once again a must see film that completes the trilogy in a wondrous manner. Some might think the Oscars were given for the trilogy and not for the film and they are probably right. I don't think you can say that the trilogy doesn't deserve an Oscar and this movie made it happen. I am confident that the extended DVD will be the best of the lot. Now I am waiting for the day I can watch all three extended DVDs back to back. Now that will be a review. Posted by Andrew McKee 4/25/2004 |
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