(Possible spoilers-beware!)
I have had this date circled on my calendar for probably a year. I adore the books, am a fan of Jackson's vision and have been excitedly awaiting the finale to the trilogy. So, I came into the ROTK with a wee bit of anticipation at what would be there or not there, if it would all work out to my fulfillment.
I attended the first showing in our area. Got home a little while ago and have been trying to put my thoughts in line about this movie. (I remember feeling equally befuddled about my feelings after 2 towers-it took me a second viewing to reconcile my thoughts).
I do know I am drained. There was so much to take in and many scenes where I was either climbing up steep mountains with the characters or had tears pouring down my face for their agony, that I am wrung out. I also believe that for those of us who have invested our hearts into Tolkien's books and our hopes into Jackson's films, the end may be a somewhat sad farewell to characters we have fondly come to know, a story so richly told. So, it is done. I guess I would like to be able to escape into a Middle Earth story every year. (Jackson-How about the Appendices?)
All that somber stuff aside, I did like the movie, very much. There was so much I liked, the best being:
The Beacon Fires-the mountain to mountain fire lighting really blew me away.
Gandalf and Pippin-when Pippin is afraid of dying and Gandalf comforts him with such a soothing thought and serene facial expression.
Eowyn on the field of battle-liked her much better this time around-her courage on the battlefield, especially when she and Merry are aghast at the great # of enemy before them on the Pellenor Fields, and she tries to be brave for him.
Faramir and his father-as Faramir visually shrinks and dissolves under the disgust and hurtful words of his father.
The Rousing Battle speeches given by Aragorn and Theoden.
And the actors above all else, not one of them performed poorly, most of them deserve awards for their portrayals, my favorites being: Gandalf, Aragorn, Gollum, Theoden. Indeed even little Pippin and Merry added such depth to their roles, as did most. Above all turn around performance: Samwise Gamgee.
Location-Although I hate flying, I am going to travel to New Zealand sometime soon-the scenery is that beautiful.
I thought the movie cut back and forth between each camp of players very well, I liked the shorter periods of time between each. I did like the opening with Smeagol. I thought the struggle on Mount Doom was done very well, even I was thirsty and exhausted by the time they got to the ledge! I liked the crowning of the king section, especially the bowing to the hobbits. I liked the scene with the Paths of the Dead. And so many things I can't begin to remember right now.
The only things I might have changed or altered slightly, if it were my movie, would be:
The Ships: When Aragorn arrives with his dead warriors, I would have liked to seen the ships come into view in a more impressive way, with the white flags unfurling.
The Battle Scenes: Although they were the most impressive battle scenes of all times and the foes were incredible, I might have cut them down by just a tad, so you could fit in two scenes I missed:
The Scouring of the Shire (Complete with Saruman) and The Healing of Faramir and Eowyn. The books devoted a whole section to these segments, which I think were important; how even the Shire was affected by the coming of evil and how both Faramir and Eowyn were wounded by broken bones and hearts and how they heal both these things together.
These slight flaws did not diminish my great enthusiam for the movie.
The only thing that still gives me pause is the end. While I am glad many things were covered, I just wasn't sure at what point the end was coming. Part of me thinks it should have ended right after the crowning for the most effect, or even after the ship sails off with the Elves and Co., part of me wanted to see it all and more, the book devotee I am. I guess it just made me uncertain and uneasy a bit the way it was done. If somehow he could have cut time off after the crowning, it may have served the movie as a whole better, but what part of the book story do you sacrifice for cinematic impact?
All together it works well. The entire 3 movies are a cinematic marvel. Bravo to Mr. Jackson for HIS courage and vision to undertake such a daunting task, and do it so devotedly well. I will miss the Adventure.
I have had this date circled on my calendar for probably a year. I adore the books, am a fan of Jackson's vision and have been excitedly awaiting the finale to the trilogy. So, I came into the ROTK with a wee bit of anticipation at what would be there or not there, if it would all work out to my fulfillment.
I attended the first showing in our area. Got home a little while ago and have been trying to put my thoughts in line about this movie. (I remember feeling equally befuddled about my feelings after 2 towers-it took me a second viewing to reconcile my thoughts).
I do know I am drained. There was so much to take in and many scenes where I was either climbing up steep mountains with the characters or had tears pouring down my face for their agony, that I am wrung out. I also believe that for those of us who have invested our hearts into Tolkien's books and our hopes into Jackson's films, the end may be a somewhat sad farewell to characters we have fondly come to know, a story so richly told. So, it is done. I guess I would like to be able to escape into a Middle Earth story every year. (Jackson-How about the Appendices?)
All that somber stuff aside, I did like the movie, very much. There was so much I liked, the best being:
The Beacon Fires-the mountain to mountain fire lighting really blew me away.
Gandalf and Pippin-when Pippin is afraid of dying and Gandalf comforts him with such a soothing thought and serene facial expression.
Eowyn on the field of battle-liked her much better this time around-her courage on the battlefield, especially when she and Merry are aghast at the great # of enemy before them on the Pellenor Fields, and she tries to be brave for him.
Faramir and his father-as Faramir visually shrinks and dissolves under the disgust and hurtful words of his father.
The Rousing Battle speeches given by Aragorn and Theoden.
And the actors above all else, not one of them performed poorly, most of them deserve awards for their portrayals, my favorites being: Gandalf, Aragorn, Gollum, Theoden. Indeed even little Pippin and Merry added such depth to their roles, as did most. Above all turn around performance: Samwise Gamgee.
Location-Although I hate flying, I am going to travel to New Zealand sometime soon-the scenery is that beautiful.
I thought the movie cut back and forth between each camp of players very well, I liked the shorter periods of time between each. I did like the opening with Smeagol. I thought the struggle on Mount Doom was done very well, even I was thirsty and exhausted by the time they got to the ledge! I liked the crowning of the king section, especially the bowing to the hobbits. I liked the scene with the Paths of the Dead. And so many things I can't begin to remember right now.
The only things I might have changed or altered slightly, if it were my movie, would be:
The Ships: When Aragorn arrives with his dead warriors, I would have liked to seen the ships come into view in a more impressive way, with the white flags unfurling.
The Battle Scenes: Although they were the most impressive battle scenes of all times and the foes were incredible, I might have cut them down by just a tad, so you could fit in two scenes I missed:
The Scouring of the Shire (Complete with Saruman) and The Healing of Faramir and Eowyn. The books devoted a whole section to these segments, which I think were important; how even the Shire was affected by the coming of evil and how both Faramir and Eowyn were wounded by broken bones and hearts and how they heal both these things together.
These slight flaws did not diminish my great enthusiam for the movie.
The only thing that still gives me pause is the end. While I am glad many things were covered, I just wasn't sure at what point the end was coming. Part of me thinks it should have ended right after the crowning for the most effect, or even after the ship sails off with the Elves and Co., part of me wanted to see it all and more, the book devotee I am. I guess it just made me uncertain and uneasy a bit the way it was done. If somehow he could have cut time off after the crowning, it may have served the movie as a whole better, but what part of the book story do you sacrifice for cinematic impact?
All together it works well. The entire 3 movies are a cinematic marvel. Bravo to Mr. Jackson for HIS courage and vision to undertake such a daunting task, and do it so devotedly well. I will miss the Adventure.