return of the king : a review (possible spoilers)

[redbear]

i just got back from screening Return of the King. from the opening sequence of the transformation of Smeagal into Gollum, i knew i has quite a movie to watch. for being as long as it is, the movie does have some slow moments but for the most part, i really enjoyed this movie. however, there are a few things i noticed that really made my skin itch. for instance, when the fellowship rides back to rohan for their celebration, the smoke from the homes are running backwards. easy mistake, but quite obvious. and for as much talk Weta Digital has been getting the past three years, you think the would have developed the technique of droppigng out the blue screen better, but there are quite a few scenes where you just can't miss the fact that the blue screen was once there. esspecially the scene with gollum and whenever the hobbits are in the same frame with someone of "normal" size. the biggest "ouch" came in the last part of the movie, when aragorn is crowned king, the camera focus' directly on the four hobbits and the blue screen is still there. you have an entire year to drop out a blue screen and they can't even do that right. next time, use ILM. at least they can do that right.

but what they did get right were the battle sequences. goodness that was the most intense battles i have ever witnessed. there were times when i thoght i was going to get trampled by one of them elephant looking things. to me, this is where the movie really shines. not to go into great detail, but when you see Sauron's army making it's way towards Minas Tirith, goosebumps.
and the sequnce of legolas taking down one of these things was just incredible.

if you have not seen the extended versions of the Fellowship and Two Towers, i highly recommend doing so before you watch this movie. there are some scenes that the audience will question if they did not see certain scenes fom the extended versions.

i really enjoyed the film. there were a few querks that i noticed that most people probably won't. and i would say that the movie is worth the hype it is getting.

best picture, probably.

[Frequency]

I can confirm this. Won tickets to see this movie at the new Zealand premiere and it was great. No idea why this movie should not win best picture like it says in the other forum thread. Not a fan of the series nor haven't read the books but friends showed me the previous 2 movies and was then interested.

[carl]

http://www.epinions.com/content_122144722564

I would defenitely say that it is the best film that I've seen this year.

[blugh]

Here's my brief, spoiler-free review: In. ****ing. Credible. Go See It. Now.

[Unicron]

i gotta agree Best movie i seen all Year

[IceGambit]

I am not gonna say Best of All-Time, because I certainly haven't seen all that many movies.

But I will say The Best Film I Have Ever Seen without a doubt.

[Wiretrip]

No doubt. Best of Year.

[Matt]

This movie is the best film of the year. Visually stunning, the cast, once again, turn one-in-a-lifetime performances. It shows that CG has a true purpose in film and that modern film is can still be great. The film takes all the greatness of the first 2 LOTR films and surpasses them. It even beats the 1946 adaptation of Great Expectations, which I am a huge fan of. Gollem is the best character in the feature with all his slimey menace that made me like Agent Smith so much. Go see this film - and if you have, see it again. 10/10, no doubt.

[radstar]

all i can say is...

God Bless Frodo

[Shrubz]

What can I say... the first two films are masterpieces, and this surpassed even those. I was in awe for most of this movie. That doesn't happen often.

[Lafce]

One question for those who've seen the movie...I'm just curious, (though I'm seeing the movie tomorrow) - does the character called the Mouth of Sauron appear in the movie? And if he does, is the scene between him and Gandalf done like it's described in the book? (quote from the book follows)


...
It seemed then to Gandalf, intent, watching him as a man engaged in fencing with a deadly foe, that for the taking of a breath the Messenger was at a loss; yet swiftly he laughed again.
‘Do not bandy words in your insolence with the Mouth of Sauron!’ he cried. ‘Surety you crave! Sauron gives none. If you sue for his clemency you must first do his bidding. These are his terms. Take them or leave them!’
‘These we will take!’ said Gandalf suddenly. He cast aside his cloak and a white light shone forth like a sword in that black place. Before his upraised hand the foul Messenger recoiled, and Gandalf coming seized and took from him the tokens: coat, cloak, and sword. ‘These we will take in memory of our friend,’ he cried. ‘But as for your terms, we reject them utterly. Get you gone, for your embassy is over and death is near to you. We did not come here to waste words in treating with Sauron, faithless and accursed; still less with one of his slaves. Begone!’
Then the Messenger of Mordor laughed no more. His face was twisted with amazement and anger to the likeness of some wild beast that, as it crouches on its prey, is smitten on the muzzle with a stinging rod.
...

[Matt]

Nope, lafce. Or, at least, I don't remember that part.

[chernabog_ca]

Unless I missed it, the Mouth of Sauron is not in the film. I thought I read somewhere that it was filmed though. Perhaps something to be added to the EE?

[Lafce]

Yes, you are right, the Mouth of Sauron isn't in the movie...but here I found out that actor Bruce Spense ( IMDB) was cast for that role, so I gues they did leave him out for the Extended Edition. Ah, so much material left for the EE - 5 hours will not be enough...:big grin:

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