Several reviews posted in newspapers round australia today, here's the one from the australian CULTURE back PRINT-FRIENDLY VERSION EMAIL THIS STORY The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (review) By Claire Harvey December 08, 2003 After seven years of speculation, the final secrets of the film version of Lord of the Rings can today be revealed. The strict embargo signed in hobbit's blood by all journalists who have seen The Return of the King lifts this morning, ending the agony for fantasy nuts who have been digging for the details of director Peter Jackson's trilogy since he began work in 1996. The good news is that this film, the third instalment in the trilogy, is staggeringly impressive. It does everything bigger, and most things better, than the first two movies. It's worth seeing even if you hate fantasy-fiction, even if you got stuck on page five of The Hobbit, even if you thought Bilbo was an endangered chocolate marsupial. The battles roar from the cinema speakers, medieval in their bloodlust, tightly paced and choreographed. One thrilling war scene, where the Rohan cavalry gallops across Middle Earth, swords and shields glinting in the sunlight, is simply beautiful. New Zealand's stunning mountain tops glow above the clouds in another scene, as a string of flaming beacons is lit across Middle Earth to call the forces of good to battle. The performances of actors such as Sean Astin, playing the hobbit Samwise Gamgee, are so touching that even a cinema of hardened hacks was snuffling before the 200 minutes were up. Australian stars shine in this film, including David Wenham as the ranger Faramir, and Miranda Otto, whose character Eowyn becomes an Orc-slaying action heroine. The Australian contingent is led by veteran Adelaide theatre actor and producer John Noble, who hopes audiences do not simply loathe his character, the tortured villain Denethor, twisted by desire for the enchanted Ring. "I worked my arse off to make him a real person," Noble said. "On screen (he) appears to be a fairly vile man, but I understand him totally. I felt every pain that that man felt." There is romance, too; the bond between Liv Tyler's elf princess Arwen and the warrior Aragorn, played by Viggo Mortensen, develops to make this film far more complete than the first two pictures. Special effects creator Richard Taylor has crafted a world that looks astonishingly real. One of the film's best shots is wizard Gandalf, played by Ian McKellen, charging on horseback through the steep, narrow, cobbled streets of the fortified city Minas Tirith. "He's been to the osteopath," Sir Ian said of Gandalf, who takes on the fight against evil with new energy. On screen it looks like the producers must have actually constructed a city with the proportions of Dubrovnik, but in fact, when The Australian visited the Rings set in June, Minas Tirith was a polystyrene miniature about 3m high, being painted by two tousle-haired Kiwis in jeans. It is cinematic alchemy; as if the film-makers have taken a few paddle-pop sticks and a disposable Esky and created the Death Star. Of course there are flaws; some appallingly corny dialogue and the odd silly stunt. But this movie is satisfying and great fun, and among the occasionally cheesy dialogue are some memorable lines. "A day may come when the courage of men fails," warrior-king Aragorn tells his massed army as it prepares for an attack that seems impossible. "It is not this day. This day, we fight." http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8097696^16947,00.html
I am going to buy my Tickets for the Movie online when they are available. I want to watch it before I leave the country on the 21st, since I wont get to see it till late January. I bought my tickets online early because I am sure that the theatre here in College Station will be sold out. It always is for days when a big movie comes out, like Matrix.
I was going to make a thread about this, but instead I'll add to this one. So far this is getting GREAT reviews....no doubt it will be one of the best movies of all time. I bought the soundtrack yesterday, and what can I say? It is bloody awesome. Howard Shore has created the perfect score to an almost perfect movie. I'm going to have to bring in a box of kleenex to this movie, its gonna be a cryer...and I haven't cried in a movie since Mufasa died in The Lion King.
LMAO! You too? Man...I know I am going to get emotional in this one. I just know it. In The Two Towers I was so hyped (and I mean REALLY pumped up) when Gandalf showed up at Helms Deep.
I hear you. I nearly jumped up and started cheering on the Ents when they started their march. I absolutely love that scene. I presume it will be the same when Aragorn leads the dead into the Pellanor Fields, and during the Ride of the Rohirrim. I've never been this excited about a movie in my entire life.
I'm hyped about this movie, being a fantasy geek, and this review is making me want to see it right now! Better than the first 2 by a good bit? Anyone know a good way to clean drool?
I hear ya, I need a new keyboard. I am so excited about this movie, I almost forgot I have finals next week. This movie is going to be so great.
In Houston its in the Edwards Grand Marquee cinema I believe. I bought two tickets for me and my brother. Turns out he has a test that day and I had to sell it. My friends think I am stupid if I go by myself, but I could care less. I can safely say my life will be a little more complete after watching this movie. For me I just no its going to be the single best movie of ALL TIME!!!!
I am so pumped to see this one that I will do something I havent done all year... I'm actually going to the theater to see it on the opening day. I never do this..but for this one...
I searched and could not find any theater in Houston that will show the Trilogy! What did I do wrong?
ALL THREE!! Bring the on the Mountain Dew and Chocolate. I love this trilogy as much as the next guy. I've read just about every thing Tolkien ever wrote. But man, thats what, almost 10 hours? I would be nodding off by TROTK and that will really piss me off if missed any of that. I might try to do all three when the DVD comes out, but I want to be fully awake the first time I see it.
