The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003) Dir: Peter Jackson
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The third film of Peter Jackson's all-time classic trilogy, adapted, of course, from the beloved novels of J.R.R. Tolkien, is one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, having won a joint-record eleven Oscars. It is also, for many, the best of the three tremendous fantasy films.
Howard Shore provides an epic and memorable soundtrack to an epic and memorable film. His use of strings is among the best in film score history, and Shore's music has since, understandably, gone on to become one of the most recognisable and popular soundtracks ever.
Visually, the film is absurdly good. Jackson and his crew provide audiences with vast, sweeping landscapes, huge, intricate sets and brilliantly designed costumes and props. The quality of all these features across all three films is exemplary, but especially so in this film.
The story is the most widespread affair of the trilogy, with a number of major story arcs taking place in different locations on Middle-Earth. Each arc is thrilling, emotive and impossible to not invest in. The way these all link up, in a magnificent climax to an enormous trilogy, is quite simply breathtaking.
Elijah Wood is superb in what is a career-defining performance, while his co-star Sean Astin also provides one of the best supporting performances you could ever hope for. Special credit too, belongs to the incomparable Andy Serkis, whose work as 'Gollum' deserved an academy award. I think his performance was legendary.
Viggo Mortensen has his best and most memorable performance of the trilogy, while Orlando Bloom and John Rhys-Davies finish strong with a pair of tremendous performances in their own right. I love all three characters, and I think the men who portrayed them did them so much justice.
Dominic Monoghan and Billy Boyd complete a three-film run as one of the funniest character duos in film. I adore these two, and it was clear to see how much they enjoyed their roles. I also really appreciated the more dramatic, sincere components of their characters and performances, particularly Boyd, who had one of the most emotional scenes in the trilogy.
Ian McKellin was, once again, a wonderful and magical presence in the film. His voice was both soothing and commanding in one. McKellin provided some of his best, most majestic acting in what is one of his most legendary roles - which is saying something.
Once again, there is an extensive list of memorable and noteworthy performances that I just do not have the time to go into more detail with. However, I will list them for credit's sake; Miranda Otto, Karl Urban, Bernard Hill, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Liv Tyler and Sean Bean.
Overall, this remains as one of the greatest third acts in cinema history. It is well and truly an epic, in every sense of the word. I adore just about everything about this film, it is just magnificent. The action, the music, the acting and the story - it is all sublime. It is a marvellous film and a worthy end to the best trilogy ever.
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