Adapting a book into a movie always requires some artistic license, and with The Lord Of The Rings I believe it must have been a real challenge. Those who have read the books will surely know what I am talking about, for in many ways the third installment of the story can sometimes read like a history textbook, with lots of chapters that strove to tie up loose ends and wrap up the stories of the characters.

However, I think that Peter Jackson has done extremely well, probably not so much in the bits to keep in, but in the bits to leave out.

The Return Of The King starts off with the quiet scene of two Hobbit-like folk fishing. This is Peter Jackson's genius at its best, for the scene is a flashback. In a short sequence, it tells the sad story of Smeagol/Gollum, establishes the corrupting evil of the placid-looking ring, and puts into perspective the task that Frodo faces. I have always thought that one of the greatest challenges that the movies faced was to show and convince the audience that the task that Frodo has taken upon himself is far harder and more dangerous than going into combat with orcs and trolls, for it is a hidden battle, that of the mind and soul, and here I think Peter Jackson has done just that.

The movie then continues with the journey of Frodo, Sam and Gollum, and that of Aragorn towards his destiny of King. Swirling around the main plotlines are the stories of the relationships between the other characters, for Peter Jackson has rightly chosen to anchor the movie in their emotional weight. Elrond comes to grips with Arwen's decision to love a mortal. Eowyn comes into her own as a strong woman, and has a wonderfully tender scene with her father. Faramir has a touching story involving his father, the Steward of Gondor, driven insane at the loss of his favourite son, Boromir, such that he orders Faramir on a suicide mission to prove his worth. Merry and Pippin break away (a little) from their wastrel ways and become little heroes, each contributing significantly to the cause.

However, I think that it is Sam, the gentle, steady friend of Frodo who saves the day. LOTR has always focused on the underdogs. It is the Hobbits, small and dismissed by many, who are the heroes. And this is pushed even further in this last installment, for Sam, the second fiddle, steps up and shines!

There are some bits I found rather annoying. True to the book, the story did not end with the last battle, but I wished it had ended when the Hobbits returns to the Shire. Plus of course there is the major bit in the book that was left out. It did not take away from the story, nor the movie, and I thought it was all right, for it would have made the movie too long, and to me it was already a tad too long. You'd have to read the book to know which bit I am referring to now, won't you? hahaha.

A glorious movie. A wonderful trilogy. Brava!

Recommended
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older