And so the journey ends.
And the trilogy is complete.
And Peter Jackson will go down in history as the most ambitious director in the history of cinema…at least through 2003.

Seriously, The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King will get Best Picture at the Oscars, and Peter Jackson will get best director. Sure, the Academy will really be awarding him for the whole trilogy, which is really one, almost 11 hour movie anyway!
And he, the cast and crew, and the movies richly deserve all the praise that gets thrown their way!

LOTR:TROTK starts with the rather disturbing origin of Smeagol / Gollum, who is just as impressive this time around as he / it was in LOTR:TTT.
Then, as with it’s two predecessors, it gets a little long and a little slow at times. But that’s OK. This trilogy has so much story to tell, it just boggles the mind. I can’t imagine reading the J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. I’d be lost. Hell, even watching the MOVIES I sometimes feel a little lost.
But like I said, Jackson and crew did a phenomenal job with the entire trilogy, and this one stands out as the best yet. Everything is just about perfect, especially the acting. Everyone is dead on perfect. I’d have to say that surprisingly to me, Sean Astin as Sam the Hobbit steals the show. His scenes with Gollum and Frodo (played wonderfully by Elijah Wood…but how will he ever escape the role???) are both touching and exhilarating. Sam is the epitome of loyalty and humility…it’s just great to watch. And Astin’s performance…I didn’t know he had it in him!
The two lesser known Hobbits really come into their own too. Actors Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan do a great job. But really, everybody is great. Hugo Weaving so understated and unlike his over the top Matrix movies role. Viggo Mortensen as the noble Aragorn…Orlando Bloom, Miranda Otto…
Everyone.

But I can’t help but think that Peter Jackson gets the lion’s share of respect.
What he (and I’m sure is an army of “underlings”) have pulled off is simply amazing.
This movie, and the trilogy in general isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but if you can’t at least appreciate it for the feat it is, then you really should just stay away from the movies.
If this doesn’t impress you, nothing will.