Fran Walsh

Acting: 5.0; Theme: 5.0; Content: 3.5; Language: 5.0; Overall: 5.0

There seems to be two story lines in the classic movie of the iconic J.R.R. Tolkien novel of the same name. Gandalf, along with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and King Theoden, travel to Isengard where they meet up with Merry and Pippin to celebrate the seeming victory at Helms Deep. After Gandalf realizes the plan of their enemies to attack Minas Tirith, they must bring together their forces to overcome their foe. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam continue their journey to Mordor. After many adventures, the two groups meet up together to celebrate their victorious separate ventures. Highly recommend.

***April 16, 2023***… (meer)

Frodo and Sam, led by the treacherous Gollum, finally close in on the land of Mordor in their quest to destroy the One Ring. Meanwhile, Sauron has turned his focus upon the broken land of Gondor in his conquest of Middle-earth as Aragorn prepares himself to claim the throne of Gondor in the final battle for Middle-earth.

Quite simply a masterpiece of a film. From the action set pieces that are otherworldly in scope and a sprawling story that hits on all the proper beats, Return of the King provides the perfect conclusion to the perfect film trilogy. The performances are all top-notch and the effects still hold up relatively well to this day, and the music complements the film wonderfully. It's my favorite of the trilogy, and while it has quite the hefty running time (over 3 hours in the theatrical cut and over 4 hours in the extended cut), it more than makes up for it in the end. Definitely watch this and the rest of the trilogy; it's honestly the best film trilogy of all-time.

Content Concerns: There are tons of violent battle scenes throughout. All involve some sort of injury or death, with blood being spilled in many scenes. There's a ton of turmoil and threat of mayhem as humans and creatures alike are killed or wounded, by swords, bows and arrows, catapults flinging massive pieces of debris, or getting crushed or thrown by hulking beasts. We also catch glimpses of several severed limbs and heads, with a fair bit of blood with each instance.

(April 13, 2023)… (meer)