Review of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) by Felipe C — 11 Jun 2014

Favorite film of all time, even beating out the Godfather Parts 1 & 2. Everything about it is pulchritudinous and the story is phenomenal. The dilemmas the story brings about seems archetypal but hey, it's in the world of Middle Earth. The characters, especially Aragorn, Gollum and even Sam, were perfect. The complexities that lie within them were portrayed... perfectly (sounds redundant right?). The bounds of friendship, duty and what it means to live upon a world you care for were explored beautifully in this film. Even though I preach peace instead of war, the war scenes in this film is just jaw dropping and amazing. I wanted to be part of it and reminded me it's worth it to fight for the world you love. On other terms, a lot of people say the film is too long with an ending that seems to be relentless. You have to look at the films as whole and see it as a celebrated achievement and how everything comes down to. It's a film that come to full circle as the story finally ends. The Lesnie's cinematography and Howard Shore's music sweep you away into this fantastic place and hell, it did it's job. Even the side stories along with the two main story arcs were integrated well and even packed a punch.

I have to go more in depth with the characters and story because this film deserves its merit and praise. Peter Jackson did an amazing job making these numerous characters valid and memorable characters. Each one of them has depth and contribute to film in a dynamic manner. The character of Aragorn stole the show in my perspective. Viggo Mortensen sold that role of the mix of a Jesus figure, prodigal son/ King Arthur vibe. He was damaged and he came back to the throne, not for the power. He came with the intention to unite men again a danger that would threaten their way of life and the world they love. Even the characters that were dicks were memorable. I love Bernard Hill's Theoden. He was one that redeemed himself when it counted. His speech was memorable and the way it was filmed and captured in the screen was purely breathtaking. I love how the story tackles every aspect of life without feeling like it was being shoved in our faces. Of course some stories are more valid than others but it should be that way. But, it gave enough to us to where it satisfies to that perfect degree. It's the perfect overall film, that encompasses everything.

The only gripe I had about the film but was resolved in the extended edition was a few scenes that were left out in the theatrical release. The first one was Saruman's demise. That scene flowed well with the narrative and I'm pretty sure the audience would have been okay to see the Saruman issue resolve the way it should have been. The way he die was symbolic and fulfilling. The theatrical has him locked in his tower forever but the big gap of that is how in the hell would the Palantir be in the water if Saruman is locked in the tower. Another one was that Peter Jackson chose to omit the scene with the mouth of Sauron. The scene had the emotional weight and gave Aragorn and the men of the West (with one elf, dwarf, wizard and two hobbits) more of a reason to take on the army. It justifies them going all out taking out as many of Sauron's forces. I understand why Jackson kept it out so it is simpler to have them buy more time for Frodo but the gap is that Aragorn and Gandalf do not know that. It would've made sense seeing the mouth of Sauron bring the armor of Frodo out and say the hobbit is dead. Either than that, everything is perfect.

Peter Jackson created not just a film, but a grand art in itself. I can't think of any film that did what the Return of the King did in its standard. Looking back upon Citizen Kane, Ben- Hur and like I said the Godfather, it did everything better and set upon a new standard for film for generations to come.