Dir. Peter Jackson, 2003, UK/USA/New Zealand, 210 mins
Cast:
Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving
These days it seems the word epic is seldom used for its original meaning anymore. For example, films such as Stuart Little have been described in reviews as 'an epic adventure.' Like 'awesome' it is a word that has been sucked dry of meaning and deprived of status by years of misuse. Well, Peter Jackson's long awaited finale to his Lord of the Rings Trilogy - The Return of the King has brought new life back to these words for it is both epic and awesome. So let's say what we mean, and mean what we say and restore these grand words to the grand ideas they once meant.
The Return of the King rejoins the story where we left off (a definite problem if you've haven't seen the previous episodes) - following the footsteps of Frodo and Sam on their quest to destroy the ring. Their story is ultimately one of courage and brotherhood. When people wonder why it is that these films - not to mention the books - are so popular, they cannot help but acknowledge that the themes that bind this story are universal. Beyond the relationship of Sam and Frodo you have themes of bravery, good against evil, love, honesty, trust, truth. Simple themes but none the worse for that. Frodo and Sam's love for each other is what pushes them on and it is difficult not to be endeared by the inspiring journey the film follows. Both Wood (Frodo) and Astin (Sam) really have room to shine in this latest story and their unremitting commitment to this bold project makes them the backbone of the film. Not to mention the astounding Golum/Smeagol (Serkis) whose slimy deviance is both creepy and endearing at the same time, a combination you wouldn't think was possible.
This story is as much about Aragorn's (Mortensen) journey as it is about Frodo's. We follow him in his quest to recognize himself and be recognized as the rightful king of Middle Earth and it provides us with most of the film's action as he and his armies fight, painfully outnumbered, in battles against Sauron. We are all aware that of late, the spectacle of cinema has gone up several notches and, it could be argued that Jackson is somewhat, if not almost entirely, responsible for this. Some scenes are so mammoth in proportion, they simply take your breath away. The battle scenes are reported to contain upwards of 600,000 Orcs not to mention the multitude of different civilizations and creatures that, taken in its entirety, form incredible visual sequences. The attack on Minas Tirith is by far some of the most outstanding fight choreography and visual effects in recent cinema. One hopes that the visionary Bob Anderson (choreographer) and the visual effects team of WETA will be rewarded for their efforts.
Howard Shaw's score is nothing short of amazing. His music has graced a multitude of films including ten of David Cronenberg's masterpieces. Shaw's abilities, though never underestimated, are now absolutely undeniable. The subtlety of the music in the scenes which contain the long awaited Shelob (if you don't know who she is then just you wait - a truly gruesome creation!) are intensely creepy and reminiscent of his previous work (Crash and Spider most notably). Alternatively, the scenes of the great city of Minas Tirith seem to have a size beyond the dimensions of the screen purely as a consequence of the inspirational choral score.
Jackson's realization of a world of unequalled complexity is an outstanding achievement but you cannot help but feel (and maybe Jackson would agree) that the beauty of Tolkien's story has much to do with it. Appreciation of these films can go beyond any acknowledgements of its epic proportions. Some films, no matter how much money you throw at them, will eventually be condemned to the pit of cinematic obscurity. There has to be 'something' more and that 'something' is ever present in these films. There is an amazing energy and freshness to almost every scene and you find yourself more enthusiastic about them than perhaps you care to be! For all those who didn't enjoy the first two films you will be again disappointed. Alternatively, for all you millions of viewers who were on the edge of your seat - buckle up, because you are going to be more astounded by this film than even you thought possible.
Eleri Evans
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