The third installment of Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord Of The Rings proves two things...Primus that Jackson, is a cinematic craftsman of the first rank...Secundus, that he had some hard decisions to make when it came to bringing Middle Earth to the screen.

The battle for Rohan is over, and Saruman's power is broken, but SAURON... the true Lord Of Shadow...is still out there, and getting ready for the real battle...the invasion of Gondor, the central human kingdom of Middle Earth. The companions have to A) Warn Gondor and gather its forces for the coming incursion, and B) Establish that Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) is the true king of Gondor so that the humans of Middle Earth can unite against Sauron's hordes. The problem is Denethor (John Noble), the Steward Of Gondor* has no intention of acknowledging Aragorn as king, or doing anything to stop the destruction of Minas Tirith (the capital of Gondor). You see, Denethor has become deranged and sucidal after the death of his beloved eldest son, Boromir (Sean Bean for those of you who've seen the first film) during the quest, and would rather see Minas Tirith razed to the ground than hand it over to its rightful ruler. Meanhwhile, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) are getting closer and closer to Mount Doom, guided by Smeagol/Gollum, who has concieved a cunning plan to get his "precious" back. Meanwhile, a massive army of Orcs, Evil Men, and giant war elephants are advancing ever closer to Minas Tirith.

Once again Peter Jackson has produced a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling. The only problem is that the constraints of time have caused him to cut important sections from the story. The Scouring of the Shire, a major part of the latter part of the novel, with it's detailed account of the fates of Saruman and Grima Wormtongue, and its description of the Shire threatened from within, is excised, and Saruman (Christopher Lee) is dropped from the story with a paplable thud (producing s public tiff between Lee and Jackson). Which is a shame, but considering what's left is one helluva movie, I'm willing to Peter Jackson (and you really couldn't tack an extra hour to this picture anyway)

Once again presents the audience with a visual feast of well done CGI effects combined with the natural beauty of New Zealand. Battles rage with dragons (and later giant eagles) ruling the skies, ponderous war elephants lumbering into battle, and hordes of Orcs swarming the walls of Minas Tirith. The city itself is a fairie tower raising from the plain of Gonder like a mountain of white marble. While the Barad Dur, the dark tower of Sauron dominates with a single blazing eye that scours the blasted landscape of Mordor like a searchlight. The there's Mount Doom, a fiery sea of deadly lava that threatens ulitimate even as it offers the world salvation from the One Ring.

Speaking of stunning visuals, Arwen (Liv Tyler) and Eowyn (Miranda Otto) are back, giving Aragorn some hard choices of own, the lucky [illegimate child], as well as some sweet distraction from the task at hand. Arwwen looks like the ultimate fairie tale princess in her perfectly designed garb, while sexy tom-boy Eowyn proves she can steal your heart in chain mail. Hey, and Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Queen of the Wood Elves is easy on the eyes too in her lacy white dress...and if that weren't enough...we meet the love of Sam's life, Rosie Cotton, one very cute Hobbit. Sigh...I wonder where a fella can take out some nauralization papers for Middle Earth.

Anyway...Viggo Mortesnsen continues to do a good job as Aragorn. Fierce in battle, tender in love, and the guy everybody looks to when the chips are down. Orlando Bloom is perfect as Legloas, the swashbuckling Wood Elf, and John Rhys-Davies continues to steal some of the scenes as Gimli, the fiesty Dwarf. Billy Boyd and Dominac Mongahan are back as Pippin and Merry, and having a party doing it. While Sean Astin as Sam and Elijah Wood as Frodo in Oscar worthy performances. I mean it, these two guys do some good work as they trudge their way through the wasteland of Mordor, playing off Gollum/Smeagol, the best CGI character ever done, and each other with real chemistry.

My personal vote goes for Sean Astin, who has far as I'm concerned is Samwise Gamgee. And as Sam is my favorite character from the books, that's saying a lot. He perfectly captures the essence of Sam, who starts off as the comic relief, and ends up becoming the real hero of the trilogy. He saves the day, several times, and never gives up on his friendship, or his loyalty to Frodo, even has Frodo slowly succumbs to the ring's temptation, and temporarily rejects Sam. He also doesn't give up on his humility, remaining a plain and simple Hobbit (another reason the Scouring of the Shire is so important, is the part Sam plays in the restoration of the Shire).

Over all, I think "Return of the King" is a worthy end to a classic piece of cinema. Taken as a whole the "Lord of the Rings" is a beautifully done movie, shot in three parts. And it is destined to take it's place alongside Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, the Wizard of Oz, and (of course) Star Wars in the constellation of movie greats.

Recommended:
Yes

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