Year:
2003
Studio:
New Line Cinema/WingNut Films
Feature:
3/5
Feature
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, though excellent adaptations of the
novels, just bring home the fact that I didn't really like the novels
in the first place. Nah, I'm lying. I loved all the stuff except the
hobbit parts, which I hated. Return of the King has the good battle
scenes and politics of the last novel while keeping the hobbit parts
minimal (or at least making sure that we never linger on the hobbits
for any long stretch of time).
There are two main plots going. The A plot deals with the remains of
the Fellowship as they gather support and help defend Gondor and Minas
Tirith from Sauron's army. Lots of battle sequences and the cool
Aragorn "I'm the rightful King of Gondor" plot. Perhaps too many battle
sequences but more on that later.
The B plot involves Frodo, Samwise, and Smeagol (Gollum) as they
take the Ring to Mount Doom. Smeagol wants the Ring, Samwise doesn't
trust Smeagol, and Frodo is going delirious. Most of the angsty stuff
is not in the movie, which is good because that was like half the
novel. Still, there's just a bit too much hobbit-loving.
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At 3-1/2 hours
long, the movie is just plain too long. Even after Sauron was defeated
there was another half hour of wrapup. Peter Jackson wanted to get as
much as he could into the movie. I keep hearing directors say that you
have to cut and cut until you have the core of the story.
Return of the King doesn't do that. Could it have been a good two-hour
movie? I definitely think so. But a longer movie does satisfy the
fanboys and the whole series have definitely made a lot of money. And
if I was more into fantasy I'd have probably loved the movie too.
Actors
Elijah Wood makes quite an effeminate Frodo. Ian McKellen is a not
quite regal Gandalf. Viggo Mortensen makes a great Aragorn. John
Rhys-Davies had only a small role as Gimli but he had some great lines.
Orlando Bloom (as Legolas) also had only a small role but some great
action sequences (though it was mostly special effects).
Recommendations
People who loved the books and previous movies will love this one.
People who like fantasy and fantasy battles will also adore this movie.
And people who didn't like the books, previous movies, or fantasy will
hate this film. Everybody else: it's a fantasy classic. Watch the
movies or read the books.
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