Hey folks, Harry here... must... see... movie.. now! Dear God, must... see... movie... now! I'm not sure if you're like me. I'm constantly listening to The Return of the King soundtrack... I'm pretty much non-stop checking out TheOneRing.Net for every minute article and update. Yes, I watched the webcast of the Premiere... Looking at aerial photographs of Wellington with over 100,000 people lining the streets, hanging out windows, atop buildings... Tickertape flying from the sky, a seeming mile of red carpet... Ian McKellen waving that fucking hat of his above his head as he smiles like a kid with all the cookies... It just made me so fucking happy. I mean, this is what fandom is supposed to look like. This is what it is supposed to be. I mean, if you look at that... that's a nation... a country on this planet... celebrating the release of a MOVIE! And there's 100,000 people screaming and cheering. THAT'S SOOOOO COOOL!!! And it's a movie about hobbits and elves and dwarves and big flappy winged monsters and giant spiders and jewelry craving disgusting pitiable creations! That's the film they're cheering for. FANTASY, imagination... pure and simple given form. I'm sorry, I'm getting carried away, as I often do, but it's just so cool. THIS REVIEW HAS TONS OF SPOILERS, so watch out, but ya know... if Spoilers don't bother you (and they don't me) then reading this review will make you giddy as hell. Here ya go...
Hi Harry,
I was fortunate enough to see a media screening of ROTK last night at The Lowe's Kips Bay theater in New York City. I've never sent you a review before but after reading the reviews you posted so far I felt I needed to. Although ultimately positive, most of these reviews have felt underwhelming. If anyone were to ask my opinion (which I know they are not) I was expecting to see movie history made with ROTK. I was expecting to see the movie event of the past 10 years. I was expecting to be blown away so to speak. These are probably the highest expectations I've ever placed on a film before. It would seem that I was setting myself up for disappointment. Ever since the Phantom Menace I've had to adjust (lower) my expectations for films. But I couldn't do that this time. I had to go in with my emotions at full throttle. These films have meant too much. And almost unbelievably, ROTK fulfilled all of my expectations and then some.
ROTK is an exquisite film. By far the best of its genre. By far the best film of the year so far. It is absolutely incredible. It's mindblowing, exhilirating, moving, and exhausting (in a good way). The scope of the film is massive and yet the character moments are intimate. The film is such an accomplishment on so many different levels, I will be shocked if it doesnt clean up at the Oscars. Whew! Ok, let me get a hold of myself again.
When I walked out of TTT a year or so ago, the first things that came out of my mouth were the problems I had with the film: Sam and Frodo not having enough screentime, Shelob being moved to ROTK, Faramir's character not being fleshed out enough (they should not have cut the flashback of Faramir, Boromir, and Denethor). But when my buddies and I walked out of the theater last night we walked in quiet awe for a few minutes. Then one of my friends looked at me and asked "what was your favorite moment?" What followed was an hour long conversation of all of our favorite moments in the film. They were so many great moments in the that we couldn't recall them all. I remembered seeing something great in the film and thinking I'm gonna talk about that later and then not being able to recall what it was. It really is that overwhelming.
Before I get into spoilers I just want to say that the most important aspect of the film for me was that, like the books, ROTK really centered on the hobbits. They all get there time to shine and rightly so. The story is after all about the smallest person being able to to make the biggest difference.
Ok, onto spoilers. I know some of you need spoilers like Gollum needs the ring, so here goes...
Scenes and moments that I loved: The opening scene and transformation of smeagol to gollum is great, please give andy serkis a nod academy. Pippen stealing the palantir from an ever watchful gandalf-the wizard sleeps with his eyes open. Gandalfs arrival in Minas Tirith with trumpets blaring- Minas tirith is something to see. Pippen singing to Denethor while Faramir leads a doomed charge towards Osgiliath. PJ's nod to The Goonie's Sloth (you'll know it when you see it). Gollum turning Frodo against Sam by tossing the rest of their food away-Sams response to Frodo's order here should get Sean Astin nominated. If there is a clear actor nomination for Return it is Sean Astin. Gandalf knocking out Denethor-"RETREEEEEAT!!"-THUNK!.
I warned you about spoilers-I'm going deep now. Gandalf going nuts wth his staff and sword to protect Pippen. The charge of the Rohirrm agaist the standing army. Their second charge agaist the oliphaunts-suicidal stuff. Ok, onto the great stuff- The witch king knocking the hell out of Theoden. Everyone flees and the only one who stands their ground is Eowyn. It is one of the most powerful moments. The slow pan down the witchking's giant mace-killer stuff. I almost thought PJ screwed up when Frodo seemingly got out of Shelob's den alive. It is set up perfectly though. Shelobs sneak attack had people gasping, and Sams battle with the spider is awesome. Once again you will be cheering for Sam throughout. You will hear everyone talk about Legolas singlehandedly taking out an Oliphaunt and yes its quite a site to see. Gimli's line afterwards makes it even better. Denethor's descent in flames. A surprisingly moving moment is Gandalf's explanation of the Life after death to Pippen-and it happens in the middle of a huge battle. The return of Aragorn and the army of the dead cleaning up the walls of Minas Tirith. Sam deciding that he can't carry his master's burden but he can carry him up the slopes of mount doom. Gollum's joy and dancing when he finally gets the ring back- he truly dies a happy gollum. The destruction of the eye.
And the most powerful moment in the movie for me came near the end: So good I dont want to spoil it: A line that Aragorn speaks to the 4 hobbits-once again you'll know it. A lot will be said to the length of the film's ending. It is quite long. I'm not sure if we needed to see Sam getting married but it didnt bother me. Remember we are wrapping up 3 films here.
Ok I've got to get back to work but I'm glad I got that out there. I hope other people enjoy the film as much as I did. I can't believe I have to wait 2 and a half weeks to see it again.
Thanks Harry, You can call me T-gun.
