"I'm glad you're here Sam, here at the end of all things".
I found that this particular line near the conclusion of the film struck a note inside me. Not only as one of my favorite lines from Tolkien's work, but also as a sad reminder that the trilogy has drawn to a close. No more will the rush of anticipation fill me as another December approaches, heralding the arrival of another of Peter Jackson's masterworks. The most monumental of the three films, The Return of the King also evokes the strongest impact within me. This is what we have all been waiting for - the climactic ending of the cinematic event of our lifetime.

Peter Jackson has done it. He has created an all-encompassing epic saga of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings-books, and after coming away from the final chapter, how does this rate, not only as a film on its own, but as a part of the whole?

Perfect. Simply perfect.


One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
Where to begin? The effects are absolutely stunning. The Battle of the Pelennor fields is one of the most exhilerating thrill rides and certainly one of the grandest film battles ever put to screen. My mouth was agape even the third time viewing the Ride of the Rohirrim , during the winged fell beasts diving into the white city of Minas Tirith, and the arrival of the Army of the Dead. In subtler aspects, CGI has been used masterfully to craft a thoroughly convincing and memorable Middle Earth. And never does Jackson allow the multiple SFX and CGI shots to interfere with the story or with the acting.

This film is so much more than a simple "fantasy" epic; it's a story about strength of character, friendship, loyalty and love. And while every member of the Fellowship has their part to play, it was during this final film that I finally understood why some critics have said this series is a story about Sam - it's his unwavering resolve that led the quest to its victory.

Elijah Wood gives a stunning performance; we actually feel his pain as he staggers through Mordor to Mount Doom. But the film's standout performance, as I said above, belongs to Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee. Meek and shy in The Fellowship of the Ring and protective and brave in The Two Towers, Sam becomes a man of action in The Return of the King. From his battles with Gollum to taking on Shelob to save Frodo, to taking on Orcs in Mordor, Sam is true to his purpose: to watch over Frodo. Astin's performance is simply perfect.

At the very end of Peter Jackson's The Return of the King, when the extraordinary Annie Lennox sings the beautiful song, "Into the West", it occurred to me that this is not just an end to the epic trilogy, rather it marks it's completion. The distinction being that this ambitious undertaking of J.R.R. Tolkien's story of Middle Earth is now whole and complete. We have witnessed the transformation of the story's characters, be it Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, or Gandalf. They are not the same characters that we saw in The Fellowship of the Ring, several years ago. They've grown, and we've witnessed that growing process.

Then there's that ending. Many people have proclaimed that the movie should have ended with the destruction of the ring, or with the crowning of the king. They overlook the fact that the story celebrates fellowship, and sacrifice. To deny us the chance to see the characters afterward, cherishing the type of closeness that such an ordeal fosters, would be inconceivable. And it is very, very important that we learn what finally happened to Bilbo and Frodo. That's the story that Tolkein told, and that's the story that the movie, faithfully, leaves to us.

In conclusion, this trilogy has become the film event of our generation, with all three among the top ten highest grossing movies of all time and the popular passion with which they all have been received. The Return of the King sets a new benchmark for the fantasy/adventure genre and The Lord of the Rings as a whole has given new meaning to the concept of epic filmmaking. It has arguably become the best trilogy of them all. A title it will deservedly keep for a very long time.

Tolkien would be proud.

A 9 out of 10; The entire trilogy: a 10 out of 10.

Cheers