Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

I knew that we had to have one dorky moment in the trilogy and the ghosts of the dead who didn't fulfill their promise are it. When they clean out Minis Tirith, they look like scrubbing bubbles going down a drain--I laughed so hard I nearly wet myself--by the goddess the movie was three and a half hours and I didn't make it--I had to leave during the demise of Mt. Doom--couldn't we have had a intermission or something??

We had nice CG, great cinematography, good acting as in all the films. Also present was a good plot and script. The movie once again had awesome battles. Legolas with his few words--but an awesome battle scene as he brings down an Oliphaunt--and Gimli says "That still only counts as one." great quote.

Now at this point what I am not going to do is give the details of the plot, supposedly if you are reading this you have seen the other two movies or read the books. And are just wondering how good is it. If not please see my review (Fellowship of the Ring). You will also need to rent the other two films before seeing this one. Its a trilogy that has one flowing storyline. I will however tell you when the third part of the journey begins.

We start with Smeagol attaining the ring (a flashback of sorts)--then we return to Sauron's tower and find our two lost hobbits, and we see Sam, Frodo and Gollum on their way into Mordor again. That’s where we start--and we end, finally at the end of the books--which I will not give away here. There are a few details left out from the book such as the reappearance of Saruman and the attack on Hobbitown, but I didn't miss them. And some sequences are shortened for the sake of time and plot flow.

The cinematography and CG is great again. Nothing looked corny except the scrubbing bubbles ghosts. Wish they could have been Pirates of the Caribbean ghosts instead. Minis Tirith is beautiful, Mordor is dispairing and the monsters and the battles are great. The Oliphaunts remind me of AT-AT in the Star Wars films. Legolas has an awesome battle scene when he brings down an Oliphaunt--and Gimli says "That still only counts as one." which is a great quote. Gandolf gets his groove on in battle fighting with his staff and a sword, and he still seems cool.

I love the soundtrack--there are two short pieces sung by the characters that I hope are on the soundtrack that I mean to acquire. The background music was wonderful--beautiful but not intrusive.

The acting was great of course we know that Viggo Mortensen is the perfect Aragorn--he does not disappoint in this one. Ian McKellan as Gandolf is great. Wise, kind and man he can fight too--who knew? Perfection. Frodo is played well by Elijah Wood; he portrays the weight and the pain of carrying the ring so that I believe it. Sean Astin's Sam is just how I pictured him. And I love the accurate way they portrayed the caring relationship between Sam and Frodo--I was afraid they would tone it down a bit--but they didn't. I wish I had a friend like Sam. Gollum is creepy, nasty, all out crazed, and scary. He is done quite nicely by Andy Sirkis. Orlando Bloom's Legolas (pretty)--is cool, an elf of few words--but has a nice fighting scene. One cool quote Gimli says, "I never expected to die beside an elf", to which Legolas replies, "How about beside a friend?" Very nice Legolas, very nice. Gimli is well done, though short on words by Joh Rhys-Davies. Merry is played by Dominic Monaghan and Pippin by Billy Boyd and very well too. By now our little pesky hobbits have matured and grown a bit and (figuratively and literally) and have developed personalities of their own. With Merry now being sworn to Theoden of Rohan and Pippen to the crazed Denethor, steward of Gondor (you know the father of Boromir and Faramir), which is played perfectly by John Noble. Faramir, the leftover son, his brother has been killed and he does not count to his father, is played wonderfully well by David Wenham. There is this father/son thing where a few words tell us all. And then we have Elrond played by Hugo Weaving. He is the perfect elf king--not seemingly moved, but we still know just how much he loves his daughter. I find absolutely no fault with the acting or casting in this film--It is all well done.

I was not disappointed in this film at all. I was all set to be--we couldn't be lucky enough to have nother great trilogy on our hands. But we were--I was totally satisfied with the film even if we didn't get the sacking of Hobbitown. Jackson has created a new classic trilogy that the lovers of Tolkein's world were all set to hate--but he took the wind right out of our sails. I bow to the master.

I can't praise this movie enough. If you liked the other two you have probably already seen it, if not--well what are you waiting for--an invitation? If so, I invite you to partake of the world of Middle Earth, the journey does not disappoint. If you like fantasy, or just good film--rent the other two and then see this one on the big screen--you need not have read the books to enjoy these films. I recommend these films to everyone!!!


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older