Review of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) by Nadja A — 27 Jun 2016

It stands as a mammoth motion picture. What is so awe-inspiring is the sheer magnitude of its vision. The challenge that Peter Jackson and his team faced to try and get this epic scope on screen is mind-boggling. they pulled it off so majestically. The constant perfect balance between spectacle and character is what's so impressive.

So many highlights: Shadowfox's ascension up Minis Tirith, the lighting of the beacons, "I CAN carry you!", the Hobbits back in the Shire sharing a drink, etc. All of which are so emotionally stirring. The battle of Pelennor fields may very well rank as the finest action sequence in film history. It escalates dramatically and this one battle scene alone includes enough "wow" moments for the entire trilogy. The movie may be long (over 4 hours) but Tolkien's legendary work deserves a proper finale and the filmmakers have earned the right to give the characters a proper farewell. The emotional weight of the final hour feels as heavy as Frodo's burden. Some may think it sentimental, others like myself, felt a cathartic release.

This tremendous final chapter is not only the best of the series but it marks a pivotal moment in fantasy movie history. A trilogy for the ages that has gained as much respect and acclaim as cinematic works like Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars. Like The Godfather films, future audiences will likely continue to revisit the films with passion and emotion.