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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Two Disc Theatrical Edition) [2003]
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ASIN:
B000062V8V
Avg Rating
[4.5 Stars]
111 Reviews
Pub. 25-May-2004;
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£14.99
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PAL;
Widescreen;
;
![The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Two Disc Theatrical Edition) [2003]]()
Authors/Performers
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Elijah Wood|Ian McKellen|Viggo Mortensen|Orlando Bloom;
Product Description
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Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, triumphantly completed by the 11-Oscar-winning The Return of the King, sets out to show that Tolkien's epic work, once derided as mere adolescent escapism, is not just fodder for the best mass entertainment spectacle ever seen on the big screen, but is also replete with emotionally satisfying meditations on the human condition. What is the nature of true friendship? What constitutes real courage? Why is it important for us to care about people living beyond our borders? What does it mean to live in harmony with the environment and what are the consequences when we do not? When is war justifiable and when is it not? What things are really worth fighting for? These are the questions that resonate with a contemporary audience: to see our current social and political concerns mirrored--and here finally resolved--in Middle-earth is to recognise that Jackson's Lord of the Rings is both a parable for our times and magical cinematic escapism. As before, in this concluding part of the trilogy the spectacle never dwarfs (sic) the characters, even during Shelob the spider's pitiless assault, for example, or the unparalleled Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where the white towers of Minas Tirith come under ferocious attack from Troll-powered siege weapons and--in a sequence reminiscent of the Imperial Walkers in The Empire Strikes Back--Mammoth-like Mumakil. The people and their feelings always remain in focus, as emphasised by Jackson's sensitive small touches: Gandalf reassuring a terrified Pippin in the midst of battle that death is not to be feared; Frodo's blazing anger at Sam's apparent betrayal; Faramir's desire to win the approval of his megalomaniac father; Gollum's tragic cupidity and his final, heartbreaking glee. And at the very epicentre of the film is the pure heart of Samwise Gamgee--the real hero of the story. At over three hours, there are almost inevitably some lulls, and the film still feels as if some key scenes are missing: a problem doubtless to be rectified in the extended DVD edition. But the end, when it does finally arrive--set to Howard Shore's Wagnerian music score--brings us full circle, leaving the departing audience to wonder if they will ever find within themselves even a fraction of the courage of a hobbit. --Mark Walker
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I love Lord of the Rings and truth be told i love this movie, but this version of the movie is too heavily edited. Too much has been left out like Gandalf's confrontation with the Witch-King, and the 'Mouth of Sauron' at the gates of Mordor. Buying this version is a waste of time, go and buy the extended version .... not this one. ;
[Rating: 4 Stars]
Plot:
The saga continues. Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mount Doom, but the deceitful Gollum plans to lead them into a trap and have the ring for himself. Meanwhile, the armies of Mordor are marching on the Gondorian city of Minas Tirith, where Gandalf finds Denethor, father of Boromir and Faramir, losing his sanity...
My Review:
Why do all good things 'have' to come to an end? During the last three years in a row, Peter Jackson has amazingly resurrected winter from its boring blues with the individual instalments of his Tolkien fantasy trilogy, ultimately changing the perspective of our cinematic excitement from the summer months to the end of the year. Now that it's over and done with, what will be the lasting effects of this groundbreaking achievement?
What ROTK does well is that it marks the first time in the series when Dir. Jackson's roots as a horror filmmaker come into the spotlight, or the light of ereniel, his skill greatly used in the right places, whereas other filmmakers just throw the scare at you for no reason. As the orcs attack and head beyond the walls of Minas Tirith, flesh-rotted ghosts draw swords alongside Aragorn and stalker ensues on Frodo through dark, web-shrouded tunnels, pushing the boundaries of its' given certificate.
However, that's not a problem as far as it being the last of the epic trilogy; correct word use there, the look and tone must and does necessarily grow darker as the Hobbits approach Mount Doom and Mordor's evil tightens its grip on Middle-earth.
The tinges of the characters have been moulded over an extraordinary ten hours-plus of great cinematic storytelling. The only characters that have reverted more are Legolas and Gimli, screen time-wise, to perhaps a more subtle and evolved set-piece archer and comedy sidekick correspondingly. Andy Serkis for his Gollum voice work, is rewarded with an early flashback that gets his face on screen, as well as warning us of just how powerful the ring is.
The momentum of the series has kept on rolling on and on though to delivering a climax to the story that's neater and more affecting than what Tolkien managed on the printed page.
With such a long journey, our heroes deserve the emotional pay-off as well as the action peaks, and they will be genuinely touched as the final credits roll. Long live King Kong.
Verdict:
A cleverly crafted climatic ending to a landmark trilogy in cinema history. No other Director would have had the time, patience and skill to bring justice to this. 10/10 ;
[Rating: 5 Stars]
Thrilling end to the trilogy. The action scenes and special effects are out of this world. Its true when they say they keep the best till last, especially when you relate it to The Return of the King.;
[Rating: 5 Stars]
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