The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Rated: PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images
Runtime: 4 hrs 10 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release:Dec 17, 200
Worldwide box office : $1,129,219,252
Reviews :
After watching 'The Return of the King', I was left squabbling with myself - a bit like Gollum, actually. Half of me is already excited about seeing what director Peter Jackson will bring us next (it's 'King Kong', by the way). But the other half of me knows that it's going to be virtually impossible for him to top what he has done in bringing 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy so spectacularly to the big screen.Again we join hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) as they attempt to reach the lava-flooded land of Mordor and destroy Middle Earth's nastiest piece of jewellery. Meanwhile, the big battle scenes rage on more convincingly than ever as Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and the rest of the gang do their best to keep the pig-ugly orcs at bay.
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Practically perfect in its execution, right now I find it hard to imagine a greater feat of film-making being accomplished not only in the next few years, but in my lifetime. The complete trilogy blows all previous fantasy projects, including the original 'Star Wars' flicks, out of the water. And don't even mention 'The Matrix' movies, because I'll more than likely scoff in your general direction.
The big screen experience places you right in the middle of the action, with giant boulders flying past and beasties bellowing all around. There's less comic relief this time round, but in its place is a darker tone that makes parts of this movie considerably more frightening than many outright horror flicks. In fact, the spider scene alone would be seen my many Hollywood honchos as having the makings of a film in its own right. Here, though, it's just a part of something much, much bigger.
For a movie of such mammoth length to provide such non-stop enthrallment is, as far as I'm concerned, a near-miracle. There are so many films that can't rivet me for five minutes, let alone have me on the edge of my seat for over three hours. This is the movie that makes sitting through Hollywood's never-ending stream of dross seem worthwhile.

As a stand-alone experience, this final 200 minute chapter is the trilogy's crowning glory, with an overall quality that surpasses both of its excellent predecessors. Jackson - and perhaps also that Tolkien bloke - has saved the best for last, bringing us the biggest, boldest, and most captivating film I can ever recall seeing.

Synopsis:
THE RETURN OF THE KING, the third and final film in Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, finds Middle-earth on the cusp of great change. Weary hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean... THE RETURN OF THE KING, the third and final film in Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, finds Middle-earth on the cusp of great change. Weary hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) venture further into the dark realm of Mordor, guided by the increasingly desperate Gollum (Andy Serkis), the two-faced former owner of the Ring that Frodo must destroy in the fires of Mount Doom. Meanwhile Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) contend with the deranged ruler Denethor (John Noble) at the once-mighty city of Minas Tirith, as Merry (Dominic Monaghan) joins Éowyn (Miranda Otto) and the Riders of Rohan to hold back the forces of Sauron. Amidst the chaos, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) must rise to his destiny, aided by Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) in assembling allies for a massive battle that will decide the fate of Middle-earth. With RETURN, Jackson brings J.R.R. Tolkien's world-renowned tale to a stunning conclusion. As with THE TWO TOWERS, the director deftly weaves various storylines together in one remarkable scene after another. Spectacular visuals complement Jackson's sharp focus on the characters and their emotional battles. While the special effects help to create huge battles and frightening creatures on a previously unseen scale, they never outshine the excellent ensemble of actors who bring the heart of the story home. A truly astounding work of filmmaking, THE RETURN OF THE KING skillfully concludes one of the greatest trilogies in cinema history.

Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Miranda Otto, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Bernard Hill, John Noble, David Wenham, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Cate Blanchett, Marton Csokas, Ian Holm
Director: Peter Jackson
Screenwriter: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson
Producer: Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Composer: Howard Shore
Studio: New Line Cinema