Return of the King
Heather and I just got back from a 12:00AM showing of Return of the King. Like the prior two film the effects and cinematography was stunning. Overall I found it to be enjoyable; however, the ending seemed to drag on (and on and on) needlessly.
I did have a few idle thoughts pop in my head while watching the film:
First, what the hell was with the elves? In the first movie it is established they are leaving Middle Earth (hey we are too busy to help you save the world - we got to get going). In the second movie we find they haven’t left yet and there is a montage where we see them walk (and walk and walk ) for a bit and then it is assumed they leave. In this movie we find they still haven’t left yet. As a matter of fact Frodo saves the world and they are still in the process of leaving. During the never-ending ending Frodo has time to write a book (if I heard the dialog correctly 4 years pass) and the damn Elves are still hanging around. WTF?
I also found it kind of amusing that the aged Bilbo makeup looked like a dead ringer for the aged Conner MacLeod makeup from Highlander 2. Now that I think about it didn’t Bilbo go and leave with the elves in the first film?
Finally it kind of bugged me how dumb the forces of evil were. They had vastly superior numbers and controlled the only location that the source of their power could be destroyed at. Of course they go and leave it completely unguarded (they outnumbered the good guys 1 million to 1 it isn’t like they couldn’t spare a few guards) and then dick around instead of just going and wiping out the good guys. Granted if they had half a clue it wouldn’t make much of a film.
Those idle nitpicks aside I did enjoy the film.
I enjoyed it, but mostly agreed. A few things I think may clarify, if I remember correctly:
*First, what the hell was with the elves? In the first movie it is established they are leaving Middle Earth…
That could best be described as the elves were ni a continual process of leaving, stopped, helped Aragorn at helms deep, continued laeving and Liv Taylors char (don’t remember name cause dumb) stuck around until the last possible ship of elves was leaving. Then, she high tailed those big lips back to Agent Smith, who does not seem to be hurt by the aging effects of the extended power of Sauramon, and they begin their quest. After all this is done, his veil is no longer on the earth, so the elves intial reasoning for leaving is really gone. I just assumed that they stuck around to help with rebuilding and then peaced out.
*I also found it kind of amusing that the aged Bilbo makeup looked like a dead ringer for the aged Conner MacLeod…
hah me to.
*Finally it kind of bugged me how dumb the forces of evil were. They had vastly superior numbers and controlled…
I think their guards were everyone in the city, but it was weird there were no guards at the actual entrance. If I was them I would just seal that mother up, what you using it for anyway? I think when they started killing each other it wsa aprtly because orcs are dumb and partly because of the effects of the ring, but then Sam showed up still having the ring, so it was pretty odd and far fetched. Now Solid Snake (or as I call him, Dave) could of infiltrated that shit all cat like and snapped some necks, but Sam?
Film was really good and I’m sure I’ll like it more as time goes on, same as the last two. Although the extended ending for the film ( I remembered the book ending a lot shorter, with no Sam marriage) was a little annoying. Still, great great stuff, and I’m sure the 40 minutes of unused footage will make it all a little sweeter.
Jesus sorry for the typos and incoherant ramblings, perhaps I should refrain from posting when I am this tired.
Hey Adam – good to hear from you. I agree with you that over time I’m sure it will grow on me much like the other two films.