The Return of the King...

[Wing Nut]

Spoilers ahead...

Wow!  This is by far the greatest of the three films and anyone expecting to be disappointed going in should have a hard time coming out with their expectations met.  By some strange conicidence ROTK is the most faithful to the book AND the best of his three Rings films.  Almost everything here happens exactly as in the book, with minor exceptions for plot points such as the exact method of Denethor's demise.  I was slightly disappointed by Gandalf's out of hand dismissal of Pippin's attempt to swear loyalty to Denethor in honor of Boromir.  It always seemed a well done thing and a very emotional point in the book.

I will say that while Sean Astin has grated on me from the first, especially with the cheesy speeches, here he redeems himself totally without reserve.  Even though I have never liked the way the character was scripted, I can't think of anyone who would be better placed as Sam.  I didn't like that Frodo was allowed to be swayed so easily into abandoning Sam by Gollum, but it was well acted even if not 'in the book.'  Sean Astin IS Sam, the same way I can't think of anyone else who could have played Frodo.

All in all, one really fantastic film!

[BFMF]

Havn't seen them yet

[Tchkinjiu]

I did, and it was....FREAKING AWSOME!!!
It was by far, the best of the three, blame I didn't read the books, but I might sometime down the road.
Minas Tirith just looked incredible. Who castle, very cool battle scene. I won't say anything else that could get some potential spoilers...
Nah, forget that, my brother said there was supposed to be a dual between Gandalf, and a dragon?
All-in-all, easily best movie of the year. The Last Samauri, came in pretty close with it's own genre, also very good!

[ATI_7500]

yeah,a very good movie,but i almost fell asleep during the ending (the wedding and everything after that)...

[Wing Nut]

In the book 'Return of the King' the ending was very much longer.  One character not in the Movie was Prince Imrahail of Dol Amroth.  He was eventually married to Eowyn.  It detailed how Theoden lay in Gondor until Eomer could return and make arrangements to take him back to Rohan.  Aragorn, Gandalf, and the rest of the fellowship journey back pretty much along the route they came, with Gandalf and Aragorn stopping off in Rivendell and the Hobbits continuing on to the Shire alone.  Upon Arrival, they found the Shire pretty much tore up and organized a resistance against the men who had taken it over and, as it turns out were led by Saruman.  Saruman ends up being killed by Wormtongue after having his life spared by Frodo.  All of this happened right at the door of Bag End.

One thing. in defense of the Arwen/Aragorn thing.  I thought it was pretty badly handled, but the realationship WAS explained in depth in the appendices in the books...

[Woodlouse2002]

I havn't seen the film yet but I know it isn't that faithful to the book. For instance the reforging of Aragorns sword should have taken part in the first film and not the last. I'm sure when I get round to going to the film I shall see further "artistic licence". I understand that pretty much all the Saruman scenes were cut out though. So to see the proper ending we'll have to wait for the DVD.

[HawkerTempest5]

Never read the books but enjoyed all three films. I thought it went on too long and should have ended after the crowning of the King bit, no need for anything more before the DVD comes out. In all, great films, all about half hour too long.

[farmerdave]

One character not in the Movie was Prince Imrahail of Dol Amroth.  He was eventually married to Eowyn

Eowyn was married to Faramir.

I cannot speak for the movies, as i haven't seen any of them, although they sound pretty good.  Hopefully I will be able to get the first two on DVD soon , though.

[Wing Nut]

Darn it, you're right!  I hate being wrong about LOTR...

[Polynomial]

I think at the end of the day we have to accept that the book has been made into the movie and not all will be exactly the same.  But for me personally, Peter Jackson has done an absolutely awesome job of translating the books into the films.  I have not yet seen ROTK, am going to on Saturday but as for the other two, for real LOTR fans i would highly reccomened the Extended Edition of the first two movies.

Can't wait to see the last one . . . . .

[Travis]

. . . for real LOTR fans i would highly reccomened the Extended Edition of the first two movies.

Can't wait to see the last one . . . . .

I own them both, and you can be sure I'll have the next one when it comes out next Christmas!

And by the way, anybody have any guesses on the color of Return of the King extended DVD?  First one was green, second was red . . .

[Wing Nut]

Blue, I'll bet.  BTW, I'll bet the extended edition is WAY over 4 hours long too...

[Travis]

[quote]Blue, I'll bet.

[Wing Nut]

I had hoped it would be in the theatrical release.

[Travis]

Yeah, that's true, but it does kind of have a bit to do with the story.  For instance, it shows what happened to Sauruman after he was "dethroned".  Tolkien wanted to show what had happened to all the characters after the ring was destroyed, but I think Sauruman was a tricky part.

Oh, and if it isn't blue (which I think it will be) it might be white.  My mom thinks it's going to be black.