Not currently showing on the local cinema circuit.
Cast |
Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom |
Director |
Peter Jackson |
Screenplay | Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, from the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien |
Music | Howard Shore |
Cinematography | Andrew Lesnie |
Sound formats | Dolby EX 6.1, Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, DTS |
Made in | 2003 |
Produced by | New Line Cinema, The Saul Zaentz Company, WingNut Films |
Scale (Max) | 20 | ![]() |
What the Critics say | ||
The Moviesite Ian Douglas | 10 | ![]() |
Cape Argus Bianca Coleman | 15 | ![]() |
The Star | 18 | ![]() |
Die Burger Francois Smith | 10 | ![]() |
Tygerburger Mariana Malan | 10 | ![]() |
Sunday Times Barry Ronge | 20 | ![]() |
eye Weekly Jason Anderson | 15 | ![]() |
Box Office L. J. Strom | 13 | ![]() |
ReelViews James Berardinelli | 20 | ![]() |
Chicago Sunday Times Roger Ebert | 18 | ![]() |
What the People say | ||
Internet 8177 Netizens | 18 | ![]() |
Average .. 76% | 15 | ![]() |
Scale (Max) | 20 | ![]() |
Michael Moreau (12) | 20 | ![]() |
Johan (23) | 19 | ![]() |
Ram P. (29) | 12 | ![]() |
Chris P. Toast (35) | 20 | ![]() |
Nimmi Kowlaser(37) | 18 | ![]() |
Chloe Roberts (14) | 20 | ![]() |
Steve Hwang (13) | 20 | ![]() |
Ron Wang (17) | 18 | ![]() |
Melanie Kimberling (15) | 16 | ![]() |
Katy Martin (14) | 20 | ![]() |
Duncan Rodgers (27) | 18 | ![]() |
Mechelle Rice (21) | 18 | ![]() |
Thomas Wolf (21) | 10 | ![]() |
Stefanus Gariseb (21) | 16 | ![]() |
Peter Alabaster (31) | 6 | ![]() |
Melanie Diesel (34) | 20 | ![]() |
Roger Owen (54) ' | 8 | ![]() |
Mitchell (20) ' | 20 | ![]() |
Roba (26) ' | 16 | ![]() |
Tian Taljard (29) ' | 18 | ![]() |
Average .. 83% | 17 | ![]() |
I've always offered my honest opinion on movies, and sometimes they agree with the popular view and sometimes they don't. But it is always my honest opinion, unswayed by media and industry hype. I believe that's what visitors to this site want — an honest opinion.
Before we start discussing the movie, remember I have not read the books and thus evaluate the movie in terms of itself, not in terms of how accurately it portrays the book.
Anyway, as to the movie... on the positive side, the cinematography is astounding, often producing images reminiscent of Raphael paintings. Helped by the usual spectacular scenery, an Oscar nod would be appropriate.
On the downside, however... well, where do I begin? The film kicks off with a segment that properly belonged in the first movie, showing how Gollum got and lost the ring. Presumably this was meant to serve as a kind of ''previously on Lord of the Rings'' flash-back intro, but it was confusing at the time until I figured out it belonged in the first movie, not the third.
Then I had to try and figure out what the different strands of the storyline were up to. Could not remember all that had happened in the last movie a year ago (once again, these epics need a quick summary at the beginning to get everyone up to speed).
There were lots of battle scenes which were impressive, but so what? We've seen computer-generated battle scenes before. The amazing thing is how the Main Characters lead such charmed lives that they go through all this warfare with hardly a scratch, let alone getting killed. Even Gandalph gets to swing a sword like a twenty-something.
Which raises another question — why does a powerful wizard have to resort to swordplay instead of using magical powers to deal with the situation? Perhaps these questions are answered in the book.
Even more importantly, why didn't Frodo (or Gandalph, for that matter) just hop onto one of those giant flying eagles and fly to the volcano, instead of *walking* all the way there?
I was a little lost in the battle scenes — I thought that the second movie had the Climatic Battle, but now we have two more...
The spider sequence was straight out of a 1950s B-grade horror movie. I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to laugh or be scared, given that we knew nothing of consequence would happen to Frodo at this point. I actually found this to be the most entertaining part in the whole movie.
After the climax of the ring being destroyed, the standard dramatic method is to have a brief ''wrap-up'' scene and roll the end credits. Instead, the movie went on and on and on, leading to a confusing scene where it appears that Frodo was ''dying'' — in some sort of mythical way — sailing off on the last boat to leave. This ended the movie on a perplexing note for me.
I notice that Die Burger has not yet published a review. I know that last year, the editor was loathe to publish his comments on The Two Towers, presumably
because he had no desire for more hate mail. Speaking of which, here are some of the comments I have received (based soley on my rating of 10/20 above)
From a 20 year old: Anyone who rates this movie under a 10 obviously knows nothing about cinematography, storyline and culmination. What an
amazing denouement! Ian Douglass (sic) an (sic) Mariana Malan rate this a 10/20. What idiots.
From another 20 year old: YOUR A DUMB PO*S! (edited by Ian)
From a 15 year old: It seems like there's a familiar trend here with you two ''critics''. Why jump on the same bandwagon? Make up your own minds.
This is a masterpiece, if you can't see that then please remove your blinkers.
Further hate mail deleted... — Ian
I have to say in more eloquent terms than Ian's other critics that I really think you grossly underrated this movie. I agree
that the first half took some unravelling after the year's interval since the last, but all became clearer as the second half
progressed. As for the 'standard dramatic method' of a 'quick wrap-up'... methinks you have been far too corrupted by the Hollywood machine,
especially the holiday type movies. When the end came, I wondered how this 'on and on and on' feeling came for you? After
10 hours (in total for all 3 films) of the story, a 'quick wrap-up' would've seemd grossly inadequate. Did you have a hangover
when you watched it, or maybe not buy a big enough slushy to last you through the whole movie? [ad hominen... discuss the issues, don't insult. Ed.]
And Gandalf's power as I perceived it came through wisdom, not the ability to cast lightning bolts from his staff as in some Disney presentation
[Forgotten the first movie already? Ed]. A wizard would have had knowledge of healing powers of plants and such, and have the ability to
concoct potions for various things; be a visionary in terms of reading nature's signs... not a Copperfield of medieval times... [See the first movie. Ed]
I loved it, and would gladly recommend it!
Chloe Roberts (14): I think some scenes weren't portrayed properly, as they were in the book, but in my opinion
Lord of the Rings is a very hard book to film in a way that will please everyone. I loved the books and I think they filmed it incredibly well.
Steve Hwang (13): this movie touches your heart
especially when frodo leaves his friends
this movie can not be described with negative words
Ron Wang (17): ''The film kicks off with a segment that properly belonged in the first movie, showing how Gollum got and lost the ring.
Presumably this was meant to serve as a kind of ''previously on Lord of the Rings'' flash-back intro''
This is a reminder of the corruptive power the ring has on people. And also to shed some light on the Gollum character. They chose to have this scene in the 3rd movie because Gollum remained somewhat a mystery throughout the 1st two films, they wanted to satisfy the viewers' curiosity about the character. Why does it belong to the 1st film, does everything have to be in chronological order?
''Could not remember all that had happened in the last movie a year ago''
Shouldn't you at least go and rent FotR and TTT before watching this? Not knowing the storyline will hinder the enjoyment of the story, which is obvious in your case. [Sigh. They should have had recaps. Ed.]
''There were lots of battle scenes which were impressive, but so what? We've seen computer-generated battle scenes before.''
Have you seen any movie with battle scenes as majestic as the ones in this film? I think not. [Star Wars. Gladiator. Braveheart. The Patriot. Your opinion may vary. Ed]
Melanie Kimberling (15): I like the movie but parts of it was a lot different than the book. But if I had not read the book
first I would have loved the movie.
Duncan Rodgers (27): Perhaps the best of all three in the trilogy.
Thomas Wolf (21): Great Special Effects, of course. But it's only popular because it cost a fortune, for that
thumbs up, but everything else, including the book, 10 thumbs down.
Peter Alabaster (31): It is puerile. Every movie needs a good badie, take Star Wars and Darth Vader. Here all we have is some
big eye that sends all his troops off in the wrong direction at the most critical moment. The scenes chop and change so much that
there is no chance for character development. Peter Jackson has failed to bring the pathos of the books to the screen and
has resorted to the over dramatic making every scene life or death. However this wears thin when no one dies. I agree with Ian.
Melanie Diesel (34): This is movie making at its best. Peter Jackson has succeeded in bringing the world's best loved book to the screen.
Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Elrond, Merry, Pippin and Saruman are brought vividly to life on screen. The acting is top-notch, the script almost
faultless and the cinematography awesome. But, great as it is, it does have it's faults — Where is Goldberry and Tom Bombadil? Why does
Faramir's character change in the film? Why does Frodo abandon Sam? Why no scouring of the Shire and what happens to Saruman?
Roger Owen (54): I found the whole series rather ordinary. It was like a schoolboy essay. We went there and we did this, then
we went there and we did that and then we went... you get the picture! Although special effects were spectacular, character development was
thin to non-existent (No Oscar nominations for acting!), and there was little thematic depth. And, like Ian, I found myself
laughing out loud at the ridiculous spider scene! So there are those who agree with you Ian, and even if we don't, please write what
you think anyway...
Mitchell (20): Ok, to make a few comments about your review:
''Which raises another question — why does a powerful wizard have to resort to swordplay instead of using magical powers to deal with the situation? Perhaps these questions are answered in the book.'' - First of all, you don't even have had to have read the book to understand why this does not happen. I find your comment here to clearly show that you really have no understanding of the story at all. If you compare the story of this trilogy, and this movie in particular say to every movie of this year, I think anyone with any common sense at all could agree that it has the best story, quite obviously. But besides that, to help you maybe understand; firstly maybe you must watch the previous two movies again to help you understand Gandalf's purpose in the story. For it is not his purpose to fight the battle for the humans, but to be more of a guide and the one whom the other main characters look to for wisdom and strength.
Secondly — ''Even more importantly, why didn't Frodo (or Gandalph, for that matter) just hop onto one of those giant flying eagles and fly to the volcano, instead of *walking* all the way there?'' - I am rather disappointed with your comment here, you must obviously own moviesite.co.za in order to be able to post reviews with a comment like that; because reading a comment like that makes the reader think twice about whether they are reading something written by a 5 year old. [Sigh. Enough with the insults.. Ian] CLEARLY once again you show you have NO understanding for the story at all, and I pleed [sic] with you to please go watch the movies again. [If I can't understand the movie from one viewing, there must be something wrong with it. I'm not stupid. Ian] Clearly the power of the eye of Sauron is talked about throughout the entire movie, so flying a giant eagle straight into Mordor wouldn't exactly seem logical to anyone? [It is to me. Walking takes ages, giving the stupid eye plenty of time to find you. Hop on an eagle with a wizard to ward off the dragons, fly there, get the job done. But that's only a short story, not a nine-hour epic. Ian] Yet for you it seems to make sense to fly a giant eagle straight into mordor and actually believe you could accomplish your mission that way. Please do not forget, the burden is Frodos to bare. [Another stupid plot point. Wizard should have done the difficult job himself. Ian]
Next — ''The spider sequence was straight out of a 1950s B-grade horror movie.'' - I guess all I can say here is I once again pleed [sic] with you to GO WATCH a 1950s B grade horror movie, and then come back here and actually try tell readers that they can be compared in anyway. [See comment from Roger above - Ian]
Next — ''After the climax of the ring being destroyed, the standard dramatic method is to have a brief ''wrap-up'' scene and roll the end credits. Instead, the movie went on and on and on, leading to a confusing scene where it appears that Frodo was ''dying'' — in some sort of mythical way — sailing off on the last boat to leave. This ended the movie on a perplexing note for me.'' - I am almost crying at what you write. I can't actually believe that someone would publicly display what little understanding they have for a film they just saw. How do you get the impression that Frodo is dieing [sic] in some way? [Ask Peter Jackson or Tolkien. Ian] It is so clear from when the hobbits arrive back in Hobbiton that Frodo is uncomfortable there [clear? - Ian], and as a viewer you yourself can feel that he does not belong there anymore as he has been changed forever [?? Ian]. This is CLEARLY spoken about AND explained in the film, so I don't understand how ANYONE could think otherwise.
There were a few other things I disagreed with in your review, but I think I have commented on the main topics. To wrap up, I did want
to just write ''hate mail'' straight up, and just insult you. But I thought I would rather write something constructive and
hopefully try bring an understanding of the movie that I honestly believe you do not have. I agree that everyone is entitled
to their own opinion, but I tell you this — I believe that what have written here is not based solely on your opinion but
more on the fact that you do not understand the movie and the story. So I hope that what I have written will aid you in bringing about
some form of understanding to The Lord Of The Rings. [Yes, you highlight how silly the story is :-). I guess I'm just too stupid to understand
such complicated movies. Ian].
Roba (26): The last 20 min took longer than the rest of the entire movie. I really saw no point or necessity for any of it. Yet
it was an artistic masterpiece. I was always entertained, just wish Gandalf had a bit more power and didn't need to swing a crude
piece of rusted metal, such as a sword, around to kill an average orc. I mean have a heart, he IS a powerfull wizard...
Tian Taljard (29): I thought this was a good movie. I have read the books; I agree that without the books the
story line might be a bit confusing BUT since I already knew the story the audio and visual experience the movie offered was just brilliant.