The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Peter Jackson
Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh (Novel: J.R.R. Tolkien)
201 min.
Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, Marton Csokas, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Miranda Otto, Karl Urban, David Wenham, Bernard Hill, John Noble,
PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images
The stirring final chapter of one of the greatest film trilogy in cinema comes to a close with the emotionally resonant and laudatory The Return of the King
After the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, there was some skepticism of whether this massive undertaking could run its course without difficulties. After the second film, The Two Towers, it should have come as no surprise that the third film not only stands up well compared to its predecessors, it easily surpasses them.
In The Fellowship of the Ring, a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) craved adventure, but didn’t know where to find it. When his uncle Bilbo (Ian Holm) attempts to flee without notice, Frodo is unwittingly thrust into the adventure of his life. Despite his fear and trepidation, he sets off on an hopeful journey of self-discovery and danger, never looking back. In The Two Towers, after a series of tragedies befall his eight fellow companions, Frodo splits off to try and resolve their task without temping his fellowship. With his loyal companion Sam (Sean Astin) at his side, his journey takes him to the edge of the dark mountains in which the Dark Lord Sauron resides, where he must destroy the ring that he inherited from his uncle.
For The Return of the King, we get into the heart of Mordor, the land of death and destruction where vast allies of the evil Sauron prepare for battle against the challenging realm of Gondor where Sauron believes the ring, that will allow him to rule the world and plunge it into a new dark age, is to be found.
Like the second film, the third tells parallel stories following Frodo, Sam and the despicable Gollum (Andy Serkis) as they travel towards Mount Doom; and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Gandalf the White (Ian McKellen), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Pippin (Billy Boyd) and Merry (Dominic Monaghan) as they gain assistance from the newly-liberated Rohirrim (horse riders of Rohan) and march towards Minas Tirith, capital of Gondor, to assist in the looming war with Mordor.
As with the first two films, the technical aspects of the film are top-notch. The most impressive set piece in the film is the marvelous, multi-layered city of Minas Tirith, a shining white visage against a vast, drab mountain range. The gleaming walls are a beacon of hope and a symbol of strength. Yet, the dark, spirit-filled caves, the towering monstrosity of Minas Morgul and other designs are equally impressive. Grant Major, Dan Hennah and Alan Lee dominate a film that already has a strong complement of technicians at work.
As each film has proven, director Peter Jackson has assembled the perfect ensemble of actors. No single person fails to meet a high standard of performance, but like the first two films, one actor so clearly dominates the film that he stands above the rest. In The Fellowship of the Ring, McKellen was a clear choice for Best Supporting Actor even if he did not win. In The Two Towers, prejudice against motion capture performances may have kept Serkis from attaining an Oscar nomination he deserved. And in The Return of the King it’s Sean Astin who deserves the lion’s share of praise.
As Samwise Gamgee, Astin has the unenviable task of creating a somewhat simple-minded, yet loyal friend who stands by Frodo through his darkest moments. He has doubts and longs for him, but as the third film winds to a conclusion, we begin to see the strength of his work to this point. His subtle friendship has established not only in Frodo’s mind but the audience’s as well that Sam is more than just a gardener. He’s a hero. He is more courageous than any of the nine individuals who left Rivendell as The Fellowship of the Ring. Astin’s quiet, unassuming work culminates in an exceptional moment on the slopes of Mount Doom (referenced above). It is one of the most powerfully emotional scenes in the entire film and it’s at that exact moment that you realize that the hero of the film (and indeed the books) is not Frodo. It’s not Aragorn. It is Sam, a noble hobbit with no desire for fame or for adventure, who recognizes the importance of their task and contributes without equivocation to its ultimate success. There is no more important figure in The Lord of the Rings than Sam and it’s Astin’s undaunted performance that cements that position.
The hope of the first film and the despair of the second are mixed together in the third film to create a vast tapestry of complex emotional situations that slowly ramp the audience up to the magnificent Battle of the Pellenor Fields that dominates the last half of the film. And once again, it’s the small individual moments that rouse the audience so effectively. Whether it’s the emotional song which Pippin sings as the battle rages while the corrupt Steward of Gondor eats a sumptuous meal, or the intimate moment between Sam and Frodo as Frodo collapses on his climb up Mount Doom, or the tender farewell as the ships sail across the sea. Jackson displays a master’s touch with The Return of the King as he carefully executes an emotionally affecting, exciting final chapter to the greatest film trilogy in cinema.
September 12, 2011
Original Review
Note: The above review was re-written in 2011. There was a prior review written in 2003, immediately after seeing the film. As such, I’m including it below as a way of comparison.
The ultimate battle of good and evil rages to a conclusion in the final installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The battle for Middle-Earth began in 2001 with the release of Peter Jackson daring vision of the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, the creator of a series of books called The Lord of the Rings. His vision was singular and entertaining and brought millions of people to the theater. In 2002, the second installment appeared and audiences went in greater number. Now, Jackson has finished what he started with the last and greatest achievement The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
We start off the film at a glance at the birth of Gollum. Sméagol (non-digitized Andy Serkis) fights friend Déagol for a ring he found in the riverbed. In taking the ring from his friend, he commits murder, sending him on an emotional trek to hide from his crimes and covet that which he holds most dear, his “precious”. The One Ring showed itself as a force of great evil, despite being a small object, in The Fellowship of the Ring. Here, it takes on the role with more fervor pitting the slowly-corrupting Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) against the conniving Gollum.
The Return of the King is a fearless look at hope and passion in the face of overwhelming odds. It is not only about the quest to destroy the greatest evil in the history of the world. It is also about the strength and courage of a disparate group of individuals whose lives, and destinies, are brought together to face this crushing evil.
The film follows two groups of characters. Frodo and Sam (Sean Astin) continue their dangerous quest to bring the ring to Mount Doom to destroy it. Along the way, they must contend with Gollum whose desire for the ring mounts with each day they continue. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) meet up with Treebeard (Voiced by Rhys-Davies), Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) at Isengard where they journey back to Edoras to begin mustering for war with the Dark Lord Sauron.
It’s not lightly that I call The Return of the King a masterpiece. The first two films were brilliant achievements in their own rights but the final chapter far surpasses their accomplishments. The film blends every fantastic bit of storytelling imaginable into an epic motion picture that transcends pure fantasy. The settings are so amazing and the effects so realistic that you can’t help feel that you’re actually there for the ride.
Sadly, the worst thing you can say about the film is that not all of the novel’s scenes are in the movie. Luckily, for everyone who hasn’t read the books (and even most people who have), what’s present is all the audience needs to bring the trilogy to a close, to feel that everything has been resolved and that the experience they have had was worth the wait.
Return of the King not only has visual appeal but it has an emotional resonance that succeeds where many films fail. As we find that each of these characters has a destiny to fulfill, we learn that life is as meaningful for them as it is for us. We understand that these people have to face insurmountable odds or have their world come crashing down around them. They understand that what they do is not for their own glorification but to save the whole of Middle Earth.
Nothing could capitalize on the emotional strengths of the screenplay more than the wonderful performances contained herein. The best performances come from supporting characters or major characters with supportive roles. The most impressive is Astin whose Sam has been faithfully serving Frodo, much like the gardener servant he once was but as the film progresses, we finally see Sam growing into his own person. He adapts to the dangers of the situation and shows amazing resilience as we finally see that Samwise Gamgee and not Frodo Baggins is the everyman that the audience can relate to. Similarly, Miranda Otto as the winsome Eowyn takes her rightful place among the heroes of Middle Earth in a climactic sequence that leaves the audience cheering.
The almost familial relationship between Legolas and Gimli would have been nothing without the laudable work of Rhys-Davies and Bloom. Each of them play delightfully off of the others’ weaknesses and provide much of the film’s best comedic relief.
The film would be nothing without, and could be best summed up through, its beautiful score crafted by Howard Shore. His eloquent and passionate melodies fit into every shadow of the film as if some greater power was listening to a grand classical work while molding the universe as it plays. We feel every note and its resonance is felt long after the film is over.
When the final parting shot fades from the screen, the audience will rejoice in writer, director and producer Peter Jackson’s seminal achievement. The Return of the King, as part of the whole trilogy, culminates years of dedication and passion. It is that passion that has galvanized millions of viewers and has opened up a new generation to the works of Tolkien. What could have been a colossal disaster, Jackson has adapted into a colossal achievement.
It is through Jackson’s effort that all of this becomes possible. The Return of the King is groundbreaking and uplifting. It is the kind of film that will stand the test of time and find itself placed on a pedestal of distinction in the pantheon of cinema history. It is there that it rightfully belongs.
-Wesley Lovell (December 17, 2003)
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