The greatest film of the 2000s.

After Fellowship Of The Ring and The Two Towers were huge successes and became almost instant landmarks of cinema, expectations were incredibly high for Return Of The King. The final film in the trilogy isn't only the best of the three but it's the most emotional, suspenseful, intense and even the most explosive. I mean, I thought that Fellowship Of The Ring and The Two Towers were perfect enough? They've saved the best till last and this became the most perfect film of all time in my opinion. I think the one thing that I appreciate the most about the whole trilogy (especially this one) is that despite that it is all fantasy and we all know it is not real but Peter Jackson and co have made it feel so real like we are in that war with Frodo, Gandalf, Sam, Aragorn etc.


I am going to admit that I can understand why some people dislike the franchise for them being too long but they should at least admit that it changed cinema, was filmed amazingly and the acting was top-notch. This may sound quite shocking but I am going to say it anyway because I just love the trilogy so much: I don't even think the extended versions are long enough! Then again, it is saying that or that there should be more Lord Of The Rings films but we do have the two Hobbit films (prequels to the trilogy) coming in 2012 and 2013 so still a bit more upcoming from Middle-Earth.


Sauron's forces have laid siege to Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, in their efforts to eliminate the race of men. The once-great kingdom, watched over by a fading steward, has never been in more desperate need of its king. But can Aragorn answer the call of his heritage and become what he was born to be? In no small measure, the fate of Middle-earth rests on his broad shoulders. With the final battle joined and the legions of darkness gathering, Gandalf urgently tries to rally Gondor's broken army to action. He is aided by Rohan's King Theoden, who unites his warriors for history's biggest test. Yet even with their courage and passionate loyalty, the forces of men--with Eowyn and Merry hidden among them--is no match for the enemies swarming against Gondor. Still, in the face of great losses, they charge forward into the battle of their lifetimes, tied together by their singular goal to keep Sauron distracted and give the Ring Bearer a chance to complete his quest. Their hopes rest with Frodo, a tiny but determined hobbit making a perilous trip across treacherous enemy lands to cast the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom. The closer Frodo gets to his final destination, the heavier his burden becomes and the more he must rely on Samwise Gamgee. Gollum--and the Ring itself--will test Frodo's allegiances and, ultimately, his humanity.


The acting from Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins was really good but not one of the best from the actors in the series. His acting was just like Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy. We journey with Frodo and the pain he suffers from the Ring and how easily led on he is by Gollum and we just think 'No! No! No, Frodo!' but I think the main character of that side of the story that goes through the most pain, has the most courage and in my opinion, is a stronger character: Samwise Gamgee. Sean Astin was certainly robbed of an Academy Award nomination for his outstanding performance! He perhaps didn't earn as much credit like some of the other actors did. Ian McKellen is obviously one of Britain's best actors but he shows once again that he is just perfect for Gandalf! He is definitely the best actor in the series and I can't wait to see him return as Gandalf for The Hobbit: Part I and The Hobbit: Part II. Andy Serkis was just amazing once again as Sméagol/Gollum. Andy and Ian were the best actors in the whole trilogy and I can't wait to see them both return again in the two Hobbit films.


Peter Jackson, you legend! Not only did he surprise us all with these landmarks of cinema but he also showed that just because it is fantasy, that doesn't mean it doesn't feel real as you watch it. I think this (and perhaps Star Wars) is the only franchise where I have felt the wrath of realism from film. Yeah, I did notice one or two bloopers but I still found it perfect! You deserved that Best Director Oscar more than any of the other directors nominated despite they did great jobs too. I just love the scripts for the whole trilogy anyway but this one especially was really special because on a lot of occasions, the scenes were almost like written in riddles and poems and it still wasn't flawed in the slightest.


Overall, The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King is an absolutely perfect film that I love in every single way. It was the best film of the 00s as well as, in my opinion, the best film of all time. I cannot wait for Peter Jackson to return to Middle-Earth with The Hobbit: Part I and The Hobbit: Part II (prequels to the trilogy) to bring us some more genius pieces of art, magic, entertainment and excitement.