The LORD of the RINGS:Return of the King

Director: Peter Jackson Rated: PG-13 Score 9/10

Stars: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen,Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom,

It wouldn't be right summing up my review on the final trilogy film without first saying - i've never read the books. I do not obsess about the film, nor have a cloak and pretend to speak Elvish. I will not stand in line for 2 hours to eagerly get tickets and applaud at the end. I liked the first, but the second did not blow me away like it did others..I felt I was being dragged on the journey. But I will say that regardless of how I have reviewed the previous 2 films, this film is solid work, it nicely weaves together the entire piece to make it into one fantastic series, or better put, one fantastically long journey. Everyone equally shares the spotlight without the character development suffering, which is saying alot for all the main characters there are.  Yes, believe the hype - it is that good. And I say this because most of us know that often the third film can be the kiss of death. (Just look at what happened to the Matrix). And it might have been easy for this film to wind down and lose it's momentum, but it executes beautifully. I will say with certainty that because of how this film is put together, it is the best of the three. And yes, I think this year the film actually has very good odds at taking home the Oscar. One movie to rule them all. (even if it is some 3 hours and 20 minutes) A final battle is being waged for Middle Earth, and Frodo still carries the ring to his destination - Mount Doom. Sam and Gollum accompany but there is foul-play afoot. Gollum wants his precious and is leading Frodo to his death. Sam is a steadfast friend and one begins to wonder why he wasn't given the ring (he seems the stronger of the two). This is the Hobbit's time to shine, they see plenty of action and battle as where in the second they seemed more of a sidekick.

I could go on about the plot but that would make this one long damn review. I can say that the special effects do not dissapoint, while I am notorious for knocking computer generated effects because of their overly cartoonish look in their perfection, the live action scenes with digital are blendly seamlessly here, far better than the previous 2 films. However the film is not without flaws. How many endings do I need to drag it out? And while one can be captivated by the story and engrossed by the characters - I felt absolutely no emotion for them. Scene after scene of tears and sobbing as it was trying too hard to manipulate the audience. And people - I thought we were all done with that Hobbit love that was going strong in part duex. Here there was a scene where I was 98% certain Frodo was going to lean in and kiss sam on the mouth. You can love your Hobbit, just don't love your Hobbit.

Well nobody wants a long review - the movie itself is long enough. It is a true adventure, for those who can't sit through a long movie you might wait for it to hit video and you are on the comfort of your own sofa with the fast forward button. It's a final ending that made the journey worthwhile. There are heroics in here by great and small, man and woman. The ultimate story of the battle between good and evil, and the honor of dying for your beliefs. You'll see battles with orcs on giant elephants, ghosts, flying lizards, Gollum before he fell from grace, and one very freaky giant spider. Already nominated for a Golden Globe, oscar buzz surrounds it and the New York Film Critics have declared it the Best film of the year. Few films in the fantasy genre have been embraced by audiences, which is probably why so few are attempted. It caters to the child in us who dreams of a world kings and queens, quests, and creatures of the unknown - and the adult in us who believes in fighting for a noble cause and that in the end.... even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

Sam - loyal, determined, strong. Why wasn't he given the ring?

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