Concludes my favorite movie

'The Lord of the Rings' is a larger than life tale. The story is reminiscent of ancient legends, and the movies are similar to films of another era. Few movies successfully use sweeping battles and tearful warriors to evoke the brutal violence and manly displays of emotion in 'Beowulf' and 'The Iliad'. Quests on this scale require grandness on every level. Heroism, affection, nobility, and peril are amplified. Like the other two films, the final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King, depends on viewers to have a high tolerance for sentimentality and bloodless warfare. If they do, they are entitled to a rendition of J. R. R. Tolkien's novel that is generally faithful to the book, often moving, and always impressive.

The third movie in 'The Lord of the Rings' involves two hobbits (humanlike creatures half the size of most men), Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Sam Gamgee (Sean Astin), who are traveling deep into enemy territory to destroy a ring that holds the essence of the dark lord Sauron. Gollum (Andy Serkis), a creature distorted by his obsession with the ring, accompanies the two as a guide, while plotting how to get the ring for himself. Elsewhere the titular Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) helps Theodon (Bernard Hill), King of Rohan, prepare his men for battle against Sauron's armies, and Gandalf (Ian McKellen), the White Wizard, rides to Gondor to warn them of Sauron's plans to attack. The film repeats only a few events from the previous two movies.

A masterful score enhances the power of the movie by elaborating on themes in the other films and introducing a few new lovely and stirring melodies. The music climaxes in the spectacular conclusion that is a culmination of friendship, courage, and perhaps total annihilation of evil.

Acting could be considered excellent or melodramatic; certainly it is suitable to the movie. The scenery and special effects are still breathtaking, though there seems to be less attention to and reliance on cinematographic detail and more focus on the plot. However, the costumes and settings are still marvelous.

Rarely is a film, like the movies made years ago, unapologetically corny and magical. Though 'The Return of the King' moves at a breakneck pace, numerous scenes take their sweet time to unfold; director Peter Jackson is not concerned about modern day audiences' aversion to slow, touching cinema. Be warned of the satisfying but lengthy dénouement, more comparable to an epilogue of a novel than a film. 'The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King' is a touching and exhilarating finale to an incredible trilogy.

Simply Breathtaking

Give this movie a chance. sit down, let yourself be immersed into the lands of middle earth, and feel for the incredible characters (especially billy body and sean astin). ignore the hollywood hype, the stupid jokes about wizards, hobbits, elves, the commercialism of this trilogy and even the eleven academy awards (which i am very very happy about, by the way). i've heard backlash from people calling it boring, long, "gay" (frodo and sam; merry and pippin), and predictable. i didnt understand and it angered me that people would be so naive and immature about it. they say, there's a billion characters, a billion places, and nothing makes any sense. it's pointless and insignificant because its about made up people in a made up land. it's not real because nothing of it exists...nobody cares. it'a about a short guy with hairy feel who tries to destroy this little ring.
if you let it, it will truly inspire you. it has the power to move and touch your heart in a way you'll never forget. watch how war, corruption, greed, and hatred destroys...and how it changes the most innocent of beings and who they become. watch true, pure, and completely unconditional love. perhaps those who didn't enjoy it doesnt know how it feels to know that you're going to lose in the end, but still finds the strength to go on. perhaps they don't know how it feels to love someone so much that you would give your life to save them. times have changed. the great legends of swords and honor and bravery have passed into the present day in which we kill for money and jealousy, in which we lie and cheat, and soldiers die far from home without a clear reason or cause. lord of the rings bring back a time when men would follow their kings into death, when friendship and brotherhood was a bond so strong and powerful, when people dont care about fame or fortune, when they lived and fought so that the peoples after them could live in peace. fairy tale, perhaps. but heartbreaking nontheless. and the story is timeless- "even darkness must pass". watch their eyes and their tears and the undying hope. THAT, my friend, is what the lord of the rings is about. you tell me nobody cares...I care.

"glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee. Here at the end of all things" - Frodo

The crowning touch to an amazing trilogy!!

The only bad thing I can say about this movie is that it's the last one. Oh yeah, and it isn't the extended version DVD. I had to buy this movie even though I knew a better version was coming out before Christmas; it's just too good to wait that long. Although I loved the movie, I did have one complaint: the whole Saruman plotline is wrapped up in a really odd way. (Peter Jackson promises that this will be rectified in the extended version.) The extras on this DVD aren't anything special, but I don't buy DVDs for the extras. If you loved the first two Lord of the Rings movies, you'll definitely love this one too!!