Return Of The King

[JayKeeley]

Just got back from seeing this last installment. Well, what can I say? It's an outstanding piece of film making, and will surely make cinematic history. Since Tolkien's works are some of the finest literature, I'm not sure how anything can even come close to this.

Now beware Tolkien purists, there are several pieces missing from the book (as there always has been), but it seems, by the way it's edited, that they might be reinstalled on the special edition DVD next year. I mean, there are some obvious gaps, but nothing too significant to impact the film overall.

And yes, the main battle sequence will have your jaw dropping to the floor. And if you're a bit of a blubbering crybaby, take plenty of kleenex. The movie house this morning was filled with cheers, applause, and lots of sniffling...

 

[J.]

I read they left out Saruman's scouring of the Shire. bah...

 

[JayKeeley]

Neither Saruman or Wurmtongue (sp?) appear in this (version of the) movie whatsoever.

Quite honestly, that seems negligible when you actually see the whole thing though. It's 3.5 hours long.

 

[NAD]

Neither Saruman or Wurmtongue (sp?) appear in this (version of the) movie whatsoever.

What....the.......fuck.

That's really going to piss me off, but I'll probably only really be upset if they leave out the best part of the books: the very last sentence.

 

[J.]

I heard though, that Saruman's destruction of the Shire is in the Extended version, but still, I'd like to see it on the big screen. I mean what, they win the final battle, and that's it? pfffft....

I hear the final battle kicks all kind of boo-tay....

 

[JayKeeley]

No, after the battle there is at least one hour left in the movie. Just wait until you see it. And don't forget, there are two separate battles in Return of the King, so I'm not sure which of the two you refer to as "final".

I thought they would include the Shire ending (based on the film footage of what you see in the Fellowship, when Frodo looks into Galadriels bowl), but I really don't think they will now. Again, I don't want to give too much away.

As for the Samwise Gamgee ending....

 

[J.]

that's another thing. Samwise Gamgee is bordering on being a flamer. "oh, Mr. Frodo. Gandalf said don't you let him out of your site Samwise Gamgee. And I don't mean to". ugh, do Frodo and Sam finally get it over with and go do the gay thing while one of the Ents stands guard?

 

[NAD]

I thought they would include the Shire ending (based on the film footage of what you see in the Fellowship, when Frodo looks into Galadriels bowl)

That's why I've always banked on it, since seeing the first one two years ago. D'oh. D'oh d'oh d'oh.

Whatever. T-minus 6 hours until showtime tonight, I know I'll love it.

 

[JayKeeley]

I have to imagine that the Shire footage was used somewhere in the trilogy, but when you see RotK, it's hard to imagine how it'll fit back in. When the four Hobbits finally return to the Shire, it's as if nothing ever happened and they were left unscathed altogether. But I keep thinking that not having Christopher Lee appear in this final installment is a near-impossibility since they made these films back to back, so it's not like he wasn't around to shoot the scenes. Fuck knows.

Also, for those who never read the books (!!), or saw the extended version of Fellowship, I guess they'll just have to sit there scratching their heads as to how Frodo gets this little lightbulb out of his pocket when confronting Shelob in her lair. They do an overdub of Galadriel handing him the gift, but shit, that was one scene they should NEVER have cut from the cinema version of Fellowship. The continuation is lost on those who didn't see it. I mean, what are those people thinking when Sam pulls out the elvish rope in Two Towers for example???!

All gripes aside, RotK is movie excellence.

 

[jimbobhickville]

There's a 7 minute wrap-up scene with Saruman that WILL be in the extended version. They never planned on doing the scouring of the shire, so it won't be in the extended cut. Personally, I think it would've been extrememly lame to have the shire attacked after the finale. Sorry to butt heads with the great god Tolkein, but it's just bad storytelling to introduce a pointless subplot after the main plot is resolved.

And the regular fellowship DID show Galadriel giving the light to Frodo (as they were rowing away, it flashed back to it), they only cut the other gifts because they weren't as important to the overall plot.

Anyway, marvelous movie.

 

[HarmonyDies....]

*SPOILERS*

is what someone should've wrote. I haven't read the book.

 

[NAD]

*SPOILERS*

is what someone should've wrote. I haven't read the book.

NO!!! You must go read the books!

Not much is given away in this thread though, the major parts of the third book haven't yet been discussed here (yet anyhow).

 

[JayKeeley]

Although the films are excellent, and I'm not sure how they could be improved upon by any other director, the books are untouchable (including The Hobbit).

 

[Demonspell]

Saw it today...brilliant, and I wasn't too bothered with the liberties taken with the story. I agree that it should have ended with Frodo and Gandalf boarding the ship, that part with Sam was insubstantial following that. That said, I think it should be compulsory to have read the book before being permitted entrance to the theater.

 

[NAD]

Wow, that was amazing. The battle sequences make Gladiator and even Braveheart look like a children's school play.

Although I do think the bit with Saruman and Wormtongue should have been in the movie, I was sort of glad the Scouring of the Shire was left out, it would have hurt the flow of the movie tremendously.

Alright Peter Jackson, are you ready to film the Silmarillion now? He could do it as a weekly show on PBS, like a 64 week run or something!

 

[Shakermaker]

Yes, excellent movie. I saw it in a triple-feature with the other two films before, that built up an incredible atmosphere...
It's unbelievable HOW MUCH jackson actually still squeezed into the film, I can't wait for the extended cut However, the ending, including Aragorn's coronation, was a bit too... uh, I don't know. There were some very good approaches like Aragorn singing, the fellowship meeting at Frodos bed and the returning of the hobbits to the shire, but overall I think Jackson let himself go a bit at the end (PAINFUL white colors, a rain of flower blossoms at the coronation, majestic sunset at the grey havens...). Still great that they even included the grey havens though, and of course Sam's last sentence is brilliant.

 

[JayKeeley]

overall I think Jackson let himself go a bit at the end (PAINFUL white colors, a rain of flower blossoms at the coronation, majestic sunset at the grey havens...). Still great that they even included the grey havens though, and of course Sam's last sentence is brilliant.

I actually liked all that. I think after all the chaos that went on, it was a nice contrast. Also, I'm man enough to admit that I felt pretty tearful at the end, but shit, at the end of the books, I was practically in tears!!

Again, I'm not sure how a trilogy like this can ever be topped in literature or cinema. It'll be another millenium before we see another 'Tolkien' equivalent.

 

[Shakermaker]

I'll be the first one to admit that the ending of the books had me in tears! My problem with the end of the film is that it TRIES to achieve the same effect and while it succeeds admirably on some levels, some aspects simply leave me cold. Could just be me.
And this is just a minor criticism, overall... WHOA.
BTW, did anyone notice that the rohirrim came to the pelennor field from the EAST? Strange, isn't it...

 

[MetalNations]

I can not wait until I see it!!!!!!

 

[J.]

20 THINGS YOU'D NEVER HEAR IN A LOTR MOVIE:

1) I don't care if she's an elf...I'd do her.

2) Why is Saruman just standing there? The f*ckin' trees are kicking ass. Some grand wizard. Sheesh!

3) I don't know what the big deal is...I saw that same ring at K-Mart for $12.99.

4) So this is Mount Doom, eh? Reminds me of Jersey.

5) I don't care what Gandalf says, I can drink that fool under the table.

6) What's up with Sam Gangee? Is he gay?

7) Legolas...the women all want to know how you get your hair so straight and shiny?

8) The only tower I'm worried about is the one between my legs.

9) Middle Earth deserves my Middle Finger. Zing!

10) How come he gets the cool name: Legolas Greenleaf? I want to be Legolas Greenleaf. How about we trade? You can be Pippin.

11) Do you realize that if you change the letter "r" to "t" in the Shire, it become the Shite? Pretty cool.

12) Frodo's a prick. He hogged all the blankets last night.

13) I'm not gay or anything, but Aragorn can slice his sword through me anytime... if you know what I mean.

14) Seriously dude, where are the Middle Earth hookers at? I need to get laid in a major way!

15) Gandalf the White, Gandalf the Grey...how about Gandalf the Jerk? That asshole didn't even pick up after himself after dinner.

16) I'm pretty sure one of those Ents grabbed my ass when they were taking us to Helm's Deep the other day.

17) I know about the two towers, my friend...I just don't give a shit.

18) I don't care what you say, I know the smell of hash and that's what the old man was smoking last night. No wonder he thinks he's a Wizard!

19) The thing is...he keeps saying it! One of us has to tell him that we get it already. Okay, it's your "precccccccccious"...move on!

20) Who's the midget with the furry feet and the cock-ring tied around his neck?