This final chapter of the series proved to be the most epic, most intense and most drawn out of the three films. The movie picks up by giving the back story of Gollum when he and a friend first encountered “his precious,” and it immediately sets the tone of the film by showing the transformation from the serene beauty of Middle Earth to grey overcast tones of the first two films. As the film progresses, this continues to be a powerful contrast between the white beauty of Gondor and the wizard Gandalf and blackened skies of Mordor and the evil Sauron.
At the end of the the second film, the people of Rohan were able to win the battle against the Orcs and Uruk-hai. In the parallel story, the Hobbits Merry and Pippen joined with the Ents or shepards of the forest to defeat the evil white wizard Saruman at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard. This where the fellowship is re-united as Merry and Pippen are enjoying food and a smoke.
In the meantime, Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, has been taken over by the enemy, and Gondor is in dire need of help. It will be up to the Aragon to unite the people, and he must also convince the king of Rohan to join him for battle at Gondor. Rohan’s king is not convinced given that Gondor did nothing to help Rohan in their own fight, and he states that he will only help if the beacons of fire are lit up throughout the lands.
This is the most battle intensive of the three films with about ¾ of the movie being extraordinary battle scenes. Those who enjoyed the final fight in Two Towers will stay pleased throughout the film, because it is obvious that no cost was spared in creating the final chapter of this trilogy. Minas Tirith was simply beautiful and amazing to see, and it made Helm’s Deep look like a regular home in comparision.
Another wonderful aspect of this film was to watch the other Hobbits beside Frodo grow in this film. In many ways, Sam is the real reason behind the Frodo’s ability to continue on his quest to destroy the final ring. Pippen and Merry also find ways to grow and contribute to the final battle for Middle Earth.
Aragon also shows amazing growth in this film. His ability to lead and inspire men living and dead into a battle with overwhelming odds is great to see and enjoy. It also raises the romantic level of this epic adventure when Aragon stays true to his love for the elf Arwen, even though Eowen, daughter of the King of Rohan, has definitely shown a passion for him.
The only thing that was weak about this film was the ending itself. In order to avoid a spoiler, I will not give away exactly what happens, but the director really took too much time to wrap this story up. The film is nearly three and a half hours long. The first three hours move very quickly, but the last 30 minutes went way too slow and that is why the film does not receive an A.
Grade: B+
