The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
New Line Cinema | Release Date: December 17, 2003
8.9
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 3413 Ratings
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Positive:
3,101
Mixed:
74
Negative:
238
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9
Compi24Jan 4, 2013
Rounding off a trilogy on the right note is no easy task, but Peter Jackson and co. pull it off with ease in this third and final installment of their adaptation of the classic Tolkien tale - it's bursting with marvelous set pieces,Rounding off a trilogy on the right note is no easy task, but Peter Jackson and co. pull it off with ease in this third and final installment of their adaptation of the classic Tolkien tale - it's bursting with marvelous set pieces, heart-wrenchingly emotional drama, and that same plethora of charming characters that rightfully bring it all home.… Expand
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9
WhiteTalpaDec 27, 2012
An epic ending to one of the best trilogy ever made. Some of the best battles I've seen in a film. LOTR The Return of the King is a real masterpiece.
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7
mds03Apr 15, 2013
What's good about this final film in the franchise is that it's action scenes, script, direction, and the ending all work fine. The last hour of it was especially entertaining and intense. Like the first film in the franchise, almostWhat's good about this final film in the franchise is that it's action scenes, script, direction, and the ending all work fine. The last hour of it was especially entertaining and intense. Like the first film in the franchise, almost everything works except for the runtime and probably something else. I mean come on, a 201 minute runtime. It feels like I could run a marathon of 100 miles and the movie would still have 30 minutes left when I got back home!!!!!!!!!! The other problem is that the camera shifts far too many times and far too fast between Frodo's group and The Fellowship while the movie is going. The camera will show the Fellowship fighting off the bad guys for 30 minutes and then shift to Frodo, Sam, and Gollum's point of view for barely 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! It's still good but it has almost the same exact problems as the first two.… Expand
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10
relaxzz73Jan 1, 2017
The best movie I've ever seen. And maybe it is the best of the all future.
This movie won 11 Academy Awards. My Enlish is not good, I can't read any more things.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
cinemabonApr 8, 2018
Best Picture film by Peter Jackson is one of the few in cinema history to win every category in which it was nominated. Jackson, along with his wife, bring JRR Tolkien to life with a rich display of images all supported by Howard Shore'sBest Picture film by Peter Jackson is one of the few in cinema history to win every category in which it was nominated. Jackson, along with his wife, bring JRR Tolkien to life with a rich display of images all supported by Howard Shore's brilliant score.… Expand
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10
MethosTRAug 16, 2014
Arguably one of the greatest fantasy movies of all time. Peter Jackson conducted a master-stroke of cinema that managed to captivate an entire generation. With this movie and its prequels, Tolkien's magnum opus has become the definitiveArguably one of the greatest fantasy movies of all time. Peter Jackson conducted a master-stroke of cinema that managed to captivate an entire generation. With this movie and its prequels, Tolkien's magnum opus has become the definitive fantasy legendarium that others aspire to.

But.

Return of the King is not THE perfect movie. There are some flaws in it, albeit minor, that detract from the experience and may dismay hardcore LOTR fans.

None of these flaws lie in the production or direction in and of itself, but rather some continuity issues and some questionable additions and omission of some material from the books.

However, only one flaw is really worth mentioning, and that is the inclusion of the Army of the Dead in the Battle of Pelennor. This move conveys the notion that PJ sought to sway people who either didn't care about LOTR or fantasy in general, or simply to add cinematic flair and "awesomeness" to the movie.

An understandable move, for sure. But this scene may leave some hardcore fans dissatisfied with the experience. However, I myself wasn't put off by the scene itself, as it served the purpose of ending the battle and ushering in the conclusion of the movie. Again, understandable, considering the fact that an entire book had to have been "crammed" into a ~210 minute-long movie.

In general though, I was immensely satisfied with the movie and its prequels. Return of the King will be immortalized as one of the greatest movies of all time, and I doubt that this feat will be replicated in the future.

I give The Return of the King a score of 10, despite the minor flaws I mentioned above. They were not enough to detract from my wonderful experience with the movie.… Expand
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10
WheelzFourReelzDec 29, 2014
The trilogy ends with the best film, in my opinion. Everything about this movie is done perfectly, like the other previous films, but this movie adds in even more heart, even more action, and even more character development. All thoseThe trilogy ends with the best film, in my opinion. Everything about this movie is done perfectly, like the other previous films, but this movie adds in even more heart, even more action, and even more character development. All those aspects, combined with an ending that made me cry, definitely makes this a shining example of what films should strive to accomplish; an epic in every sense of the word. This is my favorite movie of all time.… Expand
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10
andreekaMar 6, 2015
the best film i've ever seen in entire my life. stunning effect and great visual, the music score from howard shore is fu*cking beautiful especiallt concerning hobbits.
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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10
ZawMineMay 11, 2015
Undeniably one of the best movies in the cinema history. Such an amazing fantasy film. Return of the King is my favourite in the LOTR trilogy. I think most people's favourite is this one. All in all, Return of the King is awesome.
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10
PanchogulAug 21, 2020
El Retorno del Rey confirma una sola cosa: La Trilogía de El Señor de los Anillos es la mejor trilogía de todos los tiempos, el conjunto completo es la perfección absoluta, pero esta tercera entrega es una obra maestra de otro mundo, es loEl Retorno del Rey confirma una sola cosa: La Trilogía de El Señor de los Anillos es la mejor trilogía de todos los tiempos, el conjunto completo es la perfección absoluta, pero esta tercera entrega es una obra maestra de otro mundo, es lo que Avengers Endgame siempre quiso ser y nunca pudo ser, una película de extrema calidad y auténticamente ÉPICA bien construida, personajes bien entregados a la magnitud de los acontecimientos acompañados de una bellísima banda sonora y un apartado técnico y actoral de proporciones bestiales.

Mi corazón explota de emoción cada vez que veo estas obras maestras.… Expand
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10
drone41Feb 9, 2018
Absolutely the best and the most interesting part of Tolkin's trilogy. One of the greatest movies ever.
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10
MarvelJoeJan 15, 2019
If a movie makes you feel excited and emotional, the filmmakers did a good job. This is one of a hell of a masterpiece. MUST DEFINELY WATCH THIS MOVIE! That's all I have to say.
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10
NandiJul 16, 2022
Amazing in every aspect, the amount of dedication and love this project had is astonishing
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9
TyranianApr 11, 2019
Epic conclusion to an epic trilogy, almost perfect in every way. Just brilliant.
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9
JoeCoolDec 8, 2019
The Return of the King is a fitting ending to this epic trilogy. Peter Jackson has delivered an epic piece of cinematography that is unlikely to be surpassed in the near, or not so near, future. Tolkien would have been genuinely proud.
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10
SpangleJul 17, 2014
Just absolutely marvelous. It takes what made its predecessors so amazing and added more amazing on top of it. The acting is great as usual, the battle sequences are masterfully filmed, and the film just really beautiful all around. The CGI,Just absolutely marvelous. It takes what made its predecessors so amazing and added more amazing on top of it. The acting is great as usual, the battle sequences are masterfully filmed, and the film just really beautiful all around. The CGI, the story, the cinematography, just brilliantly done. Also, as with the first two, the film watching experience is entirely magical. It really wisks you away to another land and engulfs you in the happenings as if it is happening in your world. It is hard to put my finger on what makes this series so great, but I think we get a taste of it at the end as even when this film, the final in the trilogy, ended I was left wanting more. Over three hours was simply not enough of Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, Gandalf, etc, for me, which is an amazing thing to say. As for the ending, it is great, though it does go on a tad too long for my liking and is not as great as the rest of the film, but it works and it is pretty satisfying. The Lord of the Rings is one of the rare film franchises that gets better as it goes on, though that is not to say the first two are bad, as they are just as good as this one. I am sad now that is over, but I guess that is to be expected.… Expand
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10
shpreaJul 14, 2014
I'm pretty sure this is the longest movie I have ever seen. I watched the extended addition, and I'm guessing that it was around four and a half hours. But wow was it worth it.
Everything about this movie is spot on, grand, and epic. TheI'm pretty sure this is the longest movie I have ever seen. I watched the extended addition, and I'm guessing that it was around four and a half hours. But wow was it worth it.
Everything about this movie is spot on, grand, and epic. The battles, the journey, and the stakes are greater than ever. I was so entertained through the whole thing that I lost track of time, and the four hours just flew by.… Expand
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10
SergeantSozMay 5, 2020
If you get a chance, watch the extended trilogy. You’ll never go back to the theatrical cut. It’s been almost 20 years since Lord of the Ring and it still remains my all time favorite film franchise. It’s so good, I watch all three everyIf you get a chance, watch the extended trilogy. You’ll never go back to the theatrical cut. It’s been almost 20 years since Lord of the Ring and it still remains my all time favorite film franchise. It’s so good, I watch all three every single year. The Hobbit failed miserably. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings has aged so much better because of the lack of reliance of CGI. Ill take costume and makeup over fake effects any day. This is about the only film that gives me goosebumps every time. Between the visuals and the amazing music, it is the perfect film and earned every nomination it received. You don’t get 13 Academy Awards without it being a benchmark in the film industry. And that’s what it is. The bar is so high no current film can top it and never will. Today films are too lazy.… Expand
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10
JmsbppJul 16, 2013
Una de las mejores peliculas de todos los tiempos, excelente tema, actuaciones, efectos visuales y obviamente un epico final predecible pero aun no tapa el gran trabajo de todo este equipo, agradezco por este gran film.
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9
kubathereviewerJul 24, 2013
This movie pushes cinema history to the limit. The battle scenes are stunning as always and so is the acting. I also like how this movie focuses more on Aragorn. The best possible ending to a trilogy.
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10
TheApplegnomeDec 9, 2014
A flawless movie that might be one of the best ever made.

Stunning, massive, entertaining, deep and dramatic. Those words truly illustrate how great this last installment of The Lord of the Rings truly is. The high amount of action and theA flawless movie that might be one of the best ever made.

Stunning, massive, entertaining, deep and dramatic. Those words truly illustrate how great this last installment of The Lord of the Rings truly is. The high amount of action and the uniqueness keeps me entertained. The story is so touching and I the first time I saw this movie I started to cry. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is much about us humans as it is about evil; it shows us that we can live together even though we are different. The extended edition of The Return of the King got much more logical things than the original, even though it’s almost 4,5 hours long. The CGI are in fact in my opinion greater than in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, but there are some vague practical effects, but I don’t really care because the movie is awesome! The ending in The Return of the King is in level with The Dark Knight Rises and Inception; it's spectacular as it is touching. I totally cried in the ending. It's extremely hard to illustrate my feelings about The Return of the King, because that would only result in an emotional response.

This movie is both dramatic and spectacular.

The Return of the King gets a 10/10.… Expand
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10
AndremaxSep 6, 2018
As a books and fantasy's enthusiastic,It can be told that Tolkien was simply a genius. As a movie's enthusiastic, It can be told that Jackson done a spetacular work. He showed all the novel's action,epicness and magical, in all of threeAs a books and fantasy's enthusiastic,It can be told that Tolkien was simply a genius. As a movie's enthusiastic, It can be told that Jackson done a spetacular work. He showed all the novel's action,epicness and magical, in all of three movies. It's fair having three hours length. Longer the movie more details about books.… Expand
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8
MovieGuysFeb 2, 2014
Middle Earth fans will be pleased by this, as well as the other installments in the series. Not being a Middle Earth fan myself, I still found myself amazed by the spectacular visuals, the great special effects, and the captivating story.
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10
XMagnetoJan 5, 2014
I just recently watched this the first time in my life and I got to say it is now one of my favorite movies and now im obsessed with the lord of the rings
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10
bfoore90May 2, 2019
An masterful conclusion to an epic trilogy. In short, Return of the King is a true masterpiece from the ages.
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8
JpJuarioJan 24, 2014
''Classic.'' EPIC!'' ''Dazzling.'' A Massive motion picture.'' ''Unreachable achievement.'' ''A Masterpiece.'' Peter Jackson is a Master of Big-budgeted Films- A Master of his craft. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is nearly The Greatest Film''Classic.'' EPIC!'' ''Dazzling.'' A Massive motion picture.'' ''Unreachable achievement.'' ''A Masterpiece.'' Peter Jackson is a Master of Big-budgeted Films- A Master of his craft. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is nearly The Greatest Film ever made.… Expand
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10
Mordovan89Mar 2, 2014
Epic, the best film of 2003. Peter Jackson created a masterpiece with great music and the biggest battle I've seen in a movie. 10 and deserves the truth.
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10
Jayson97Mar 2, 2014
Amazing movie with tons and tons of actors who make it one of their best performances. Truly an incredible story with cutting-edge technology used for 'creatures' like Gollum or the Nazgul.
Peter Jackson did a great job making this movie.Amazing movie with tons and tons of actors who make it one of their best performances. Truly an incredible story with cutting-edge technology used for 'creatures' like Gollum or the Nazgul.
Peter Jackson did a great job making this movie.
Of course, there are a few bits and pieces missing, especially when comparing them to the books Tolkien made. But a curmudgeon that cares about that.… Expand
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10
MibekriMay 17, 2014
An absolutely brilliant movie, in all aspects. The CG, the set pieces, the acting, everything is amazing. But when the movie is over, you dont remember the gimmicks and embellishments as much as you remember the incredible amount of heart inAn absolutely brilliant movie, in all aspects. The CG, the set pieces, the acting, everything is amazing. But when the movie is over, you dont remember the gimmicks and embellishments as much as you remember the incredible amount of heart in this movie.

Unlike most movies in the fantasy genre, this movie doesnt rely on effects and hundreds of effects to amaze. Even though this movie has all you could want in these aspects, it also has a vibrant, ever present soul, and this is what makes it one of the best movies ever made, and probably the greatest fantasy or epic ever made… Expand
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10
SkyrimGuy935Jan 25, 2015
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is, in every sense of the word, an epic. The acting is phenomenal, the soundtrack is beautiful, the battle sequences are grand and enthralling with superb visuals, and the story it tells isThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is, in every sense of the word, an epic. The acting is phenomenal, the soundtrack is beautiful, the battle sequences are grand and enthralling with superb visuals, and the story it tells is mature, brilliant, and captivating. What took this film to the next level however, is the emotion it manages to convey. You feel an intimate connection which each of the characters, and it leads to multiple moments where you will likely be struggling to hold back tears. Also, the film perfectly capitalizes on profound themes of mortality, friendship, guilt, and loyalty which only intensifies the emotional impact.

As of now, this stands as my favorite movie of all time and is absolutely a 10/10. I also recommend the extended edition, as a few great scenes were unfortunately cut from the theatrical release. Not that it brings down the experience, though.… Expand
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10
Kai82Jul 22, 2021
A really good adaptation and movie. I repeat my statement from the prequel: The books are full to the brim with stories, characters, lore and world building. It is a challenge to adapt these to the screen and I would have a hard time to doA really good adaptation and movie. I repeat my statement from the prequel: The books are full to the brim with stories, characters, lore and world building. It is a challenge to adapt these to the screen and I would have a hard time to do it. To clarify this: Not everything from a book can be adapted to a different medium and even with 3 long movies they have to make sacrifices. Compared to the “Fellowship of the Ring” they changed more from the books. For example: Faramir is far more matured and wiser in the books, Arwen has no role here (She is barely in the books just a bit more than like for example Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy), the scene with Aragon never happened, Erkenbrand is removed (and his heroic deed) and there are far more Ents and far less elves (at the climax) present in the book ;-) However I again say it is a loyal adaptation as they put their hearts and soul into this movie trilogy. Also the movie makes some good additions. For example: Gollum has far more depth and characterization, the Arwen and Aragon scene works well and the changes when Frodo, Sam and Gollum encounter Faramir are well done character development and story building. Story: The Fellowship of the Ring is shattered but not beaten. It follows three separated arcs. Firstly Frodo and Sam are still on the mission to destroy the one ring and it seems someone is following them. Meanwhile Aragon, Gimli and Legolas are on the trail of a group of Orcs who have captured Merry and Pippin while these are on their own (heroes) journey. Meanwhile Saruon even without his ring has recovered enough to raise his armies to delivers devastating attacks against his enemies (Basically everyone who does not serve him, is enslaved by him or give tributes to him). While the prequel is more set up and character development here we get more actions and the first dire battles against the evil forces. The story is immersive, engaging and enjoyable. Characters / Cast: I already praised the whole cast from the prequel at my review there and said nearly everyone became my definitive version of their characters. So I will just continue with the new characters. There is Bernard Hill as King Theoden. He is a remarkable character in the book and he does a remarkable performance. Truly a great addition. Same goes for Brad Dourif as Grima Wormtongue. He is such an enjoyable slimy and double tongued character I love to hate. David Wenham as Faramir delivers his role excellently. Now to Karl Urban as Eomer and even more Miranda Otto as Eowyn. Both are truly magnificent and I want to praise them. In total we got a great addition to an already excellent cast. Presentation: Again the landscapes are just so beautiful. New Zealand is such an amazing country and tourism increased a lot thanks to the movies. The CGI and special effects are excellent too. Everything looks 100% convincing. I especially like Treebeard. There is no misstep here. The soundtrack is praiseworthy for the whole trilogy and I will repeat many of the statements for the conclusion. I see no negatives except maybe that we had to wait too long for the conclusion back then ;-). Hardcore fans of the book might find some changes / additions infuriating. Overall this continues the path of the prequel. It is a really good adaptation and movie. I recommend the whole trilogy as it entered movie history.… Expand
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10
anichelsJan 1, 2016
Top 20 movies of all time, and that's very conservative estimate. Return of the King was a very satisfying end to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it signified the end of an era for many fans of the movies.
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10
BlueSky8642Sep 5, 2014
Is this the most epic finale in movie history? Lord Of The Rings: Return of the King does everything right, making for a massively entertaining and moving film that completes Peter Jackson's Kiwi-made trilogy. You will be left teary-eyed byIs this the most epic finale in movie history? Lord Of The Rings: Return of the King does everything right, making for a massively entertaining and moving film that completes Peter Jackson's Kiwi-made trilogy. You will be left teary-eyed by the ending, from a combination of heart-wrenching emotion and the ungodly 3 hour 20 minute viewing time (4 hours 22 minutes for the extended version).… Expand
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10
amirreza1Dec 3, 2014
cons :why it was too short. it should be longer. Lord of the rings universe has a lot of space to capture.I m happy about making hobbit in three parts.
Pros: This is simply a masterpiece.
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10
thomasljoguesNov 13, 2014
This is the defining movie of Peter Jackson's career. Though it strayed quite far from the book at times, it worked the miracle of remaining true to the book's spirit and not striving for the random flamboyance that the Hobbit films today fall to.
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10
OpinionatedDec 5, 2014
Released: 2003
Current year: 2014
Status: STILL enjoy watching this movie. I cannot describe how many times (in what little spare time I have) I have watched the LOTR trilogy with my family. Return of the king, the better film of theReleased: 2003
Current year: 2014
Status: STILL enjoy watching this movie.

I cannot describe how many times (in what little spare time I have) I have watched the LOTR trilogy with my family. Return of the king, the better film of the three will live on in every Tolkien fan's hearts forever. Pure brilliance.… Expand
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10
LelchelseaJan 19, 2015
Not many movies have ever balanced so many elements to produce such an epic
Lord of the Rings Return of the King was the perfect ending to one of the greatest epics to ever hit the Big screen
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10
Brendon6446Feb 4, 2015
This movie is truly my precious. The amount of effort the producers and the director put into this movie is remarkable. Great ending for the best trilogy of all time.
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10
CameraBounceGodFeb 23, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Because this trilogy has been like a brother to me...I want to tell you all that I felt that frodo shouldn't have had to bear both the spiders name, the earendill and also the fact that sam had a girlfriend and didn't have to carry the ring which galadriel didn't even acknowledge and instead just reminded him that his awesome trip to save the world like bilbo is nothing more than being alone....anyway looking at the cover of the dvd i can tell you now that frodo keeping the ring in the end is exactly like giving earrendil to god in a surreal world.... it seemed like gandolf and the elfs still accepting frodo is a eerily perfect ending even though I loved the deleted scene where they are among the orcs and start a fight and maybe would have preffered that of some of the endingness...like I really didn't care about Sam and his stupid lucky family jeez guys...-JRA… Expand
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10
crovieliciousMar 13, 2015
Return of the king is a big climatic and the best of middle earth series, followed by fellowship of the ring in second. And so well deserved oscar best picture 2003. One of the best film of all time.
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10
wilsoncoolMar 14, 2015
Simply stunning. I have no word to describe this masterpiece. What wrong with this film? Yes nothing, just perfect. I love cinematography, CGI, and original score from this film. Beautiful!!!!!!!!!
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10
acaiberryMar 19, 2015
Ladies and Gentleman, this is the fantasy type movie that should be studied again and again. Music, Epic Scenes, Presence of a plot, Acting, and Direction/Detail...you name it and this movie has nailed each category.

The only problem thatLadies and Gentleman, this is the fantasy type movie that should be studied again and again. Music, Epic Scenes, Presence of a plot, Acting, and Direction/Detail...you name it and this movie has nailed each category.

The only problem that the most hardcore fans have is that they wish it was LONGER. I loved the battle scenes and I felt like I was at a home game cheering for the protagonists of this film. This movie carries a lot of symbolism and metaphors in its plot and this has got to be the most successful film trilogy ever.

Do your ears justice and listen to the soundtrack. GONDOR AND ROHAN THEMES REPRESENT… Expand
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10
EdwardGregoryApr 19, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. And so all good things come to an end. For three years in a row, Peter Jackson has banished our winter blues with the individual instalments of his Tolkien trilogy, effectively shifting the focus of our cinematic excitement from the summer months to the end of the year. But now that his epic has been unveiled in its entirety, what will be the lasting effects of his achievement?

Well, grand-scale fantasy filmmaking is back on the menu, laying down the gauntlet to George Lucas and Star Wars Episode III. Jackson has also proved that notions of risk and ambition needn't be confined to the low-budget, indie end of the spectrum; nor does California have an exclusive stranglehold on groundbreaking special effects.

And then there's the DVD factor. Just as The Lord Of The Rings was upping the stakes in theatres, so too was its DVD release pattern defining what can (and should) be done on disc for major movies.

In particular, the four-disc extended editions seem to have affected the director's thinking as to what he can get away with in his theatrical final cut. Hence the public grumbles from Christopher Lee about the non-appearance of Saruman in this final instalment. While it might have been fair to grant Lee a curtain call, Jackson quite rightly realises that it is Sauron, not Saruman, whose fiery eye encompasses all the narrative strands of the climax.

The Return Of The King marks the first time in the series when Jackson's roots as a horror filmmaker creep through. As the orcs catapult severed Gondorian heads beyond the walls of Minas Tirith, flesh-rotted ghosts draw swords alongside Aragorn and giant spider Shelob stalks Frodo through dark, web-shrouded tunnels, the film pushes the boundaries of its 12A certificate.

And so it should, because the look and tone must necessarily grow darker as the Hobbits near Mount Doom and Mordor's evil hand grips Middle-earth ever tighter.

Character nuances have been crafted over an unprecedented ten hours-plus of cinematic storytelling: from Strider lurking in the shadowy corner to Aragorn rallying the troops; from Merry and Pippin as bumbling fools to stout-hearted, pint-sized warriors. Only Legolas and Gimli seem to have regressed (in screen time at least) to set-piece archer and comedy sidekick respectively. At least Andy Serkis is rewarded for his Gollum voice work with an early flashback that gets his face on screen, as well as warning us that, under the ring's power, Smeagol can be as murderous as Gollum.

Jackson has kept the momentum of the series rolling on and on though the traditionally 'difficult' middle part and 'weak' finale, delivering a climax to the story that's neater and more affecting than what Tolkien managed on the printed page. Some viewers might feel that the director sprinkles some cheese on his extended coda, adding at least one false ending too many (even if he does ignore the book's Scouring of The Shire).

But those who have walked beside these heroes every step of the way on such a long journey deserve the emotional pay-off as well as the action peaks, and they will be genuinely touched as the final credits roll. Yes, the Ring is dead. Long live King Kong.

The resounding climax to a landmark in cinema history. But the King has now returned, the story is over and the ships are leaving Middle-earth. Ladies and gentlemen, Elvish has left the building.… Expand
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10
EddyGregsApr 19, 2015
The saga concludes. Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mount Doom, but the deceitful Gollum plans to lead them into a trap and have the ring for himself. Meanwhile, the armies of Mordor are marching on the Gondorian city of Minas Tirith, whereThe saga concludes. Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mount Doom, but the deceitful Gollum plans to lead them into a trap and have the ring for himself. Meanwhile, the armies of Mordor are marching on the Gondorian city of Minas Tirith, where Gandalf finds Denethor, father of Boromir and Faramir, losing his sanity…

And so all good things come to an end. For three years in a row, Peter Jackson has banished our winter blues with the individual instalments of his Tolkien trilogy, effectively shifting the focus of our cinematic excitement from the summer months to the end of the year. But now that his epic has been unveiled in its entirety, what will be the lasting effects of his achievement?

Well, grand-scale fantasy filmmaking is back on the menu, laying down the gauntlet to George Lucas and Star Wars Episode III. Jackson has also proved that notions of risk and ambition needn't be confined to the low-budget, indie end of the spectrum; nor does California have an exclusive stranglehold on groundbreaking special effects.

The resounding climax to a landmark in cinema history. But the King has now returned, the story is over and the ships are leaving Middle-earth. Ladies and gentlemen, Elvish has left the building.… Expand
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MovieManiac83Apr 23, 2015
According to the calendar, Christmas is December 25. According to the movie release schedule, it's December 17. There can be no greater gift for a movie lover than the one bestowed upon audiences by Peter Jackson, whose The Lord of the Rings:According to the calendar, Christmas is December 25. According to the movie release schedule, it's December 17. There can be no greater gift for a movie lover than the one bestowed upon audiences by Peter Jackson, whose The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is not only the best movie of 2003, but the crowning cinematic achievement of the past several years. In fact, labeling this as a "movie" is almost an injustice. This is an experience of epic scope and grandeur, amazing emotional power, and relentless momentum.

One could be forgiven for initially approaching The Return of the King with a little trepidation. As good as the first two films, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, are (in either their theatrical or extended DVD versions), movie history is littered with occasions when trilogy conclusions have crashed and burned. Return of the Jedi. Godfather III. The Matrix Revolutions. And so on? Yet, with The Return of the King, Jackson has done more than just bucked the trend. Not only is this motion picture an entirely worthy conclusion to the landmark trilogy, but it's better than its predecessors. Somehow, Jackson has managed to synthesize what worked in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, while siphoning off the less successful elements. The result is amazing. Taken as a whole, there is nothing out there today that can come close to comparing to The Lord of the Rings.

The slowest portions of The Return of the King occur early in the proceedings, as Jackson re-establishes the characters. From there, it's a slow, steady buildup to a rousing climax. The experience is so immersive that I found myself in the middle of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields along with the heroes, rooting for them - even though I knew how things were going to turn out! Along the way, there are moments of genuine pathos that draw a tear from the eye; times of triumph that cause the heart to soar; instances of overwhelming tension that cause the adrenaline to surge; and images of spectacle that make the jaw drop. The pace is unflagging - once Jackson has us, he doesn't let go. When the movie was over, I couldn't believe that 3 1/4 hours had passed.

Although it's unfair to characterize the film as a collection of great moments - the character arcs and overall narrative are too strong for that - it is nevertheless impossible to deny the power of many individual scenes. One of Jackson's most notable contributions is that he directs the film with the intention that certain instances will raise nape hairs. It's the "wow" factor, and it is frequently repeated. Gene Siskel once argued that a great film needs three memorable scenes to go along with no bad ones. The Return of the King exceeds that criteria by a considerable amount.

For those who despise truncated endings, Jackson has a treat in store. The Return of the King ends with a 20 minute epilogue that chronicles events after the War of the Ring, going as much as four years into the future and tying up nearly every possible loose end. The film concludes on exactly the same note as the book (in fact, with the same line), and, while the final chapter of the trilogy is as satisfying as it could possibly be, there's still a vague sense of melancholy when "The End" appears on the screen, because it means that these adventures are over.

The acting shines through more in The Return of the King than in the other films. Elijah Wood is excellent as Frodo, a shell of the cheerful hobbit he once was. Sean Astin transforms Sam into a fierce knight protector, defending his master against the treacherous Gollum, the terrifying Shelob, and the forces of Mordor. Viggo Mortensen gives Aragorn his fullest opportunity to be seen as a three-dimensional hero. Newcomer John Noble, as Denethor, the Protector of Gondor, displays madness laced with cunning. Orlando Bloom and John Rhys-Davies have less to do, but provide us with a little comedic banter as well as some more serious moments. Miranda Otto's Eowen is as sharp and fierce as any man, and far better looking. Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan are given a chance to flesh out Pippin and Merry. Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, and Ian Holm all make brief appearances.

Expectedly, the special effects set a new standard. The CGI participants of the major battles look more like real combatants than cartoonish computer creations. The locations, set design, and costumes are without flaw. By building many of the elaborate locales, Jackson achieves a sense of verisimilitude that he might not have attained by relying more heavily on computers. And composer Howard Shore's score is perfectly wed to the visuals, being alternately bombastic and delicate, as circumstances dictate.

The Lord of the Rings will go down in cinematic lore as a milestone.… Expand
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CinemaBlendMay 6, 2015
According to the calendar, Christmas is December 25. According to the movie release schedule, it's December 17. There can be no greater gift for a movie lover than the one bestowed upon audiences by Peter Jackson, whose The Lord of the Rings:According to the calendar, Christmas is December 25. According to the movie release schedule, it's December 17. There can be no greater gift for a movie lover than the one bestowed upon audiences by Peter Jackson, whose The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is not only the best movie of 2003, but the crowning cinematic achievement of the past several years. In fact, labeling this as a "movie" is almost an injustice. This is an experience of epic scope and grandeur, amazing emotional power, and relentless momentum.

One could be forgiven for initially approaching The Return of the King with a little trepidation. As good as the first two films, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, are (in either their theatrical or extended DVD versions), movie history is littered with occasions when trilogy conclusions have crashed and burned. Return of the Jedi. Godfather III. The Matrix Revolutions. And so on? Yet, with The Return of the King, Jackson has done more than just bucked the trend. Not only is this motion picture an entirely worthy conclusion to the landmark trilogy, but it's better than its predecessors. Somehow, Jackson has managed to synthesize what worked in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, while siphoning off the less successful elements. The result is amazing. Taken as a whole, there is nothing out there today that can come close to comparing to The Lord of the Rings.

The slowest portions of The Return of the King occur early in the proceedings, as Jackson re-establishes the characters. From there, it's a slow, steady buildup to a rousing climax. The experience is so immersive that I found myself in the middle of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields along with the heroes, rooting for them - even though I knew how things were going to turn out! Along the way, there are moments of genuine pathos that draw a tear from the eye; times of triumph that cause the heart to soar; instances of overwhelming tension that cause the adrenaline to surge; and images of spectacle that make the jaw drop. The pace is unflagging - once Jackson has us, he doesn't let go. When the movie was over, I couldn't believe that 3 1/4 hours had passed.

Although it's unfair to characterize the film as a collection of great moments - the character arcs and overall narrative are too strong for that - it is nevertheless impossible to deny the power of many individual scenes. One of Jackson's most notable contributions is that he directs the film with the intention that certain instances will raise nape hairs. It's the "wow" factor, and it is frequently repeated. Gene Siskel once argued that a great film needs three memorable scenes to go along with no bad ones. The Return of the King exceeds that criteria by a considerable amount.

For those who despise truncated endings, Jackson has a treat in store. The Return of the King ends with a 20 minute epilogue that chronicles events after the War of the Ring, going as much as four years into the future and tying up nearly every possible loose end. The film concludes on exactly the same note as the book (in fact, with the same line), and, while the final chapter of the trilogy is as satisfying as it could possibly be, there's still a vague sense of melancholy when "The End" appears on the screen, because it means that these adventures are over.

Tolkien purists will be as disgruntled with The Return of the King as they were with The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, but this isn't made for them. This is Tolkien's saga as filtered through Jackson's fertile imagination, not some dry, slavishly faithful adaptation (although it is probably as true to the books in both spirit and narrative as any movie version could be). If you want rigorous adherence to the text, wait for the next Harry Potter movie. It's hard to fault the director for many of his choices. There are some omissions in The Return of the King. A couple - Saruman's death at the hands of Wormtongue and the Houses of Healing - were cut due to time constraints, but will appear on the DVD. Another, The Scouring of the Shire, was not filmed. While that may be a viable way to end the book, it is too anticlimactic for a movie, and, as such, is better excised.

The Lord of the Rings will go down in cinematic lore as a milestone. It has legitimatized fantasy like no other production and has shown that it is possible for studio executives to realize huge gains when taking huge risks.

The present illustrates its broad appeal and undeniable critical and commercial success. For many, the release of The Return of the King is the event of the year. And this is one time when the product is good enough to weather the storm of hype. This ring is golden.… Expand
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10
CinemaSinsMay 9, 2015
According to the calendar, Christmas is December 25. According to the movie release schedule, it's December 17. There can be no greater gift for a movie lover than the one bestowed upon audiences by Peter Jackson, whose The Lord of the Rings:According to the calendar, Christmas is December 25. According to the movie release schedule, it's December 17. There can be no greater gift for a movie lover than the one bestowed upon audiences by Peter Jackson, whose The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is not only the best movie of 2003, but the crowning cinematic achievement of the past several years. In fact, labeling this as a "movie" is almost an injustice. This is an experience of epic scope and grandeur, amazing emotional power, and relentless momentum.

One could be forgiven for initially approaching The Return of the King with a little trepidation. As good as the first two films, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, are (in either their theatrical or extended DVD versions), movie history is littered with occasions when trilogy conclusions have crashed and burned. Return of the Jedi. Godfather III. The Matrix Revolutions. And so on? Yet, with The Return of the King, Jackson has done more than just bucked the trend. Not only is this motion picture an entirely worthy conclusion to the landmark trilogy, but it's better than its predecessors. Somehow, Jackson has managed to synthesize what worked in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, while siphoning off the less successful elements. The result is amazing. Taken as a whole, there is nothing out there today that can come close to comparing to The Lord of the Rings.

The slowest portions of The Return of the King occur early in the proceedings, as Jackson re-establishes the characters. From there, it's a slow, steady buildup to a rousing climax. The experience is so immersive that I found myself in the middle of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields along with the heroes, rooting for them - even though I knew how things were going to turn out! Along the way, there are moments of genuine pathos that draw a tear from the eye; times of triumph that cause the heart to soar; instances of overwhelming tension that cause the adrenaline to surge; and images of spectacle that make the jaw drop. The pace is unflagging - once Jackson has us, he doesn't let go. When the movie was over, I couldn't believe that 3 1/4 hours had passed.

Although it's unfair to characterize the film as a collection of great moments - the character arcs and overall narrative are too strong for that - it is nevertheless impossible to deny the power of many individual scenes. One of Jackson's most notable contributions is that he directs the film with the intention that certain instances will raise nape hairs. It's the "wow" factor, and it is frequently repeated. Gene Siskel once argued that a great film needs three memorable scenes to go along with no bad ones. The Return of the King exceeds that criteria by a considerable amount.

For those who despise truncated endings, Jackson has a treat in store. The Return of the King ends with a 20 minute epilogue that chronicles events after the War of the Ring, going as much as four years into the future and tying up nearly every possible loose end. The film concludes on exactly the same note as the book (in fact, with the same line), and, while the final chapter of the trilogy is as satisfying as it could possibly be, there's still a vague sense of melancholy when "The End" appears on the screen, because it means that these adventures are over.

Expectedly, the special effects set a new standard. The CGI participants of the major battles look more like real combatants than cartoonish computer creations. The locations, set design, and costumes are without flaw. By building many of the elaborate locales, Jackson achieves a sense of verisimilitude that he might not have attained by relying more heavily on computers. And composer Howard Shore's score is perfectly wed to the visuals, being alternately bombastic and delicate, as circumstances dictate.

Leaving Middle Earth, Jackson is now headed for Skull Island and a remake of King Kong that already has me excited. He has not ruled out a return to this fantasy world - he would like to make The Hobbit with some of the same actors, if the complicated rights issues surrounding the prequel can be straightened out. In the meantime, he has given us a trilogy of films to savor and remember. The Lord of the Rings will go down in cinematic lore as a milestone. It has legitimatized fantasy like no other production and has shown that it is possible for studio executives to realize huge gains when taking huge risks. (Had The Lord of the Rings failed, New Line Cinema would have gone down with it.) History will show the importance of The Lord of the Rings. The present illustrates its broad appeal and undeniable critical and commercial success. For many, the release of The Return of the King is the event of the year. And this is one time when the product is good enough to weather the storm of hype. This ring is golden.… Expand
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10
INfamous119Jul 3, 2015
This is by far the best Movie trilogy I have ever seen. great picture, great characters, great animations, great sound. My only concern is sometimes the time in the movie would be a little off.
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10
DanilSirotkinJul 24, 2015
Властелин Колец: Возвращение Короля (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) я по праву считаю самым ЗРЕЛИЩНЫМ, самым ЭПИЧЕСКИМ фильмом в истории. До определённого момента именно третий фильм я считал лучшим в трилогии. Явно видно, чтоВластелин Колец: Возвращение Короля (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) я по праву считаю самым ЗРЕЛИЩНЫМ, самым ЭПИЧЕСКИМ фильмом в истории. До определённого момента именно третий фильм я считал лучшим в трилогии. Явно видно, что создатели вложили в него уйму сил. Про сюжет, актёров и спецэффекты я писать не буду, так как там они на максимально высоком уровне. Говард Шор на этот раз превзошёл самого себя, и заслуженно получил свой второй оскар (первый был за "Братство"). Трек "Сигнальные Огни", или "Белое Древо" я считаю лучшей композицией Шора, и его абсолютным шедевром. В этом фильме все сюжетные линии подходят к концу. Добро побеждает зло. Перед нами разворачиваются великие битвы - (самые великие за историю кино, конечно же). И самое главное, мы видим уничтожение кольца. Итак, какой же главный смысл Властелина Колец (по моему мнению)? Попробую объяснить. Кольцо, - это ЗЛО. Фродо, - это человек, который по собственному желанию ВЗВАЛИВАЕТ ЕГО НА СЕБЯ, НЕСЁТ ЕГО НА СЕБЕ, дабы УНИЧТОЖИТЬ. Вопрос: это каким надо быть человеком, чтобы (образно) согласиться нести на себе ВСЁ ЗЛО МИРА? Этот человек знает, что будет страдать, знает, что будет мучиться, то есть, он совершает своего рода САМОПОЖЕРТВОВАНИЕ. Но ради чего? - Ради того, что он любит, ради того, что В МИРЕ ЕСТЬ ДОБРО. И, сами подумайте, это до какой степени надо любить. Этот человек знает, что зло нелегко победить, он даже предполагает, что поход против зла может стоить ему жизни... ДУМАЙТЕ. Властелин Колец - это философское произведение ОБО ВСЁМ. Например, о безграничной любви к дому, и защите его. Защиту дома мы могли бы лицезреть в конце этого фильма, если бы Джексон, конечно, снял её. Но, к сожалению, он её не снял. Также, все произведения Толкина о любви к природе. Размышлять можно много, но нужно ДЕЙСТВОВАТЬ. Итак, ещё я хочу сказать, что ВК, конечно же, нужно смотреть только в РЕЖИССЁРСКИХ(РАСШИРЕННЫХ) ВЕРСИЯХ, которые интереснее театральных, и ближе к книге. К тому же, такие фильмы длиннее театральных (это при условии того, что даже театральная версия идёт 558 минут (за все 3 фильма, - ( а режиссёрская версия идёт 683 (!) минуты)), - но я совершенно не против очень длинных фильмов, и даже наоборот, всегда отстаиваю максимально длинный хронометраж во всём. В общем, Властелин Колец классика, как кино, так и литературы. Могу писать ещё много, но остановлюсь. А на что вы готовы ради того, что любите? 100/100 или 10/10 (или 5/5 или 4/4).… Expand
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10
adithyaSep 9, 2015
This film shows us that even 3 hour films can be so good and epic. These is the greatest films of our era. Let there be no doubt. peter jackson showed hollywood that even fantasy films can be superb
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10
reviewer2015lolJan 9, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's so good, so amazing, so epic and so beautiful it's just unbelievebla.. If you ake a movie that is so good, you should know you are the master of fantasy movies. Bravo Peter Jackson, just bravo.… Expand
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10
mazewaxieMay 13, 2019
"The Return of the King" is the perfect ending to one of the greatest achievements in the history of film.
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10
BozaslanNov 12, 2015
I've never seen a series like this.A trilogy of movies created with such love and care and utter perfection of craft that you can't help but walk away and wonder how did Peter Jackson make this possible? I have always loved the original "StarI've never seen a series like this.A trilogy of movies created with such love and care and utter perfection of craft that you can't help but walk away and wonder how did Peter Jackson make this possible? I have always loved the original "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" series for their epic storytelling, and just for just fitting in as a great moment in cinema. This should be, will be, remembered with as much revered fondness for generations to come. They do not make films like these anymore.… Expand
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10
serkanysr1Nov 25, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fantastic films aside, Lord of the rings aside. With the last film of the series, almost the entire series was signed.And I do not know if such a trilogy comes up again.… Expand
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10
aadityamudharApr 17, 2016
This is simply a masterpiece.
You will never see a trilogy like this one, essential for your cinematographic culture. The Return of the King is the prove that third parts can be much better than the first or second one.
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9
EpicLadySpongeJan 5, 2016
This long movie for the end of the Lord of the Rings will just simply pull out all your excitement for a waste of 201 minutes. I don't really have anything else to say other than just saying these repetitive words for each review I give forThis long movie for the end of the Lord of the Rings will just simply pull out all your excitement for a waste of 201 minutes. I don't really have anything else to say other than just saying these repetitive words for each review I give for movies I've already seen in the past.… Expand
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10
gameguardian21Jan 7, 2016
This is the best book- to- movie adaptation put to film as this remains my second favorite movie of all time. It has the most emotional story line, amazing action sequences, and it's all thanks to peter Jackson. This one of the best films, inThis is the best book- to- movie adaptation put to film as this remains my second favorite movie of all time. It has the most emotional story line, amazing action sequences, and it's all thanks to peter Jackson. This one of the best films, in one of the best trilogy's of all time.… Expand
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10
americanbeautyJan 16, 2016
Esse filme é simplesmente uma obra de arte, uma conclusão épica para uma trilogia épica. Em O Retorno do Rei o que já era bom ficou melhor ainda, incríveis cenas de ação com uma trilha sonora impecável, O Senhor dos Anéis é, definitivamente,Esse filme é simplesmente uma obra de arte, uma conclusão épica para uma trilogia épica. Em O Retorno do Rei o que já era bom ficou melhor ainda, incríveis cenas de ação com uma trilha sonora impecável, O Senhor dos Anéis é, definitivamente, a melhor coisa que eu já assisti na vida.… Expand
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10
Mats2468Apr 11, 2020
17 years has passed and Return of the King is still one of the best movies ever made. It is visually incredible, the story is amazing that gives us a great conclusion of the trilogy, Howard Shore that masterfully made the soundtrack epic as17 years has passed and Return of the King is still one of the best movies ever made. It is visually incredible, the story is amazing that gives us a great conclusion of the trilogy, Howard Shore that masterfully made the soundtrack epic as the previous ones. There are almost no movies out there that can come close to as good as Return of the King. Another word, a masterpiece that has greatly influenced to the film industry and movie fans around the world. 10/10!… Expand
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10
CinemassacreMar 13, 2016
A “King” that earns its crown, Peter Jackson’s final installment in his monumental “The Lord of the Rings” represents that filmmaking rarity — a third part of a trilogy that is decisively the best of the lot. With epic conflict, staggeringA “King” that earns its crown, Peter Jackson’s final installment in his monumental “The Lord of the Rings” represents that filmmaking rarity — a third part of a trilogy that is decisively the best of the lot. With epic conflict, staggering battles, striking landscapes and effects, and resolved character arcs all leading to a dramatic conclusion to more than nine hours of masterful storytelling, “The Return of the King” is an urgently paced 200-minute film without an ounce of fat — until unfortunate multiple endings that go on and on, as if Jackson couldn’t bear to let go. Again unlike other trilogy finales, this one will rank with its predecessors at the box office, where the first two entries have generated $1.786 billion internationally. Ancillary benefits from various versions and packaging will issue forth close to forever.

In the rarefied world of large-scaled cinematic triptychs, three in the modern era quickly come to mind that, initially at least, combined striking cinematic prowess with enormous public enthusiasm: “The Godfather,” “Star Wars” and “The Matrix.” In the first two instances, the second film was by general consensus the best and most adventurous, while the third was by far the weakest across the boards.

What Jackson and New Line so boldly did right was to shoot all three in one continuous stretch rather than start from scratch each time.

Of all the wonders associated with this trio of films — the literate, generally well structured overall script, the perfection of the New Zealand locations, the visionary scenic designs, the exceptional visual effects, the costumes, hair and armor, and the excellent cast — perhaps the most impressive feat of all has been Jackson’s ability to keep it all in his head through the years and deliver a cohesive work with a proper sense of balance and proportion.

Unlike his predecessors in the trilogy business, of course, Jackson had a ready-made three-part text to work from, one constructed to pay off in the climactic installment. And pay off it does, in ways guaranteed to satisfy the multitudes around the world who embraced the first two films, and even to impress non-card-carrying members of the massive Tolkien-Jackson cult.

Still, anyone who hasn’t seen the first two pics won’t have a clue what’s going on at the outset of “The Return of the King.” With much struggle behind him but the worst yet to come, Frodo (Elijah Wood) is increasingly feeling the weight of being the Ringbearer as he and his faithful friend Sam (Sean Astin) make their way toward Mount Doom, the place where the Ring was made and the only place it can be destroyed, thus thwarting Sauron’s attempt to destroy humankind.

“The days are growing darker,” Frodo observes amid distant volcanic eruptions, as he and Sam continue to be guided by the fretful Gollum (Andy Serkis), the deformed former Ringbearer whose intended treachery is superbly revealed in a schizophrenic soliloquy delivered to his reflection in the water.

Meanwhile, in Rohan, the flush of victory over Saruman’s forces in the Battle of Helm’s Deep at the end of “The Two Towers” doesn’t last long (defeated and trapped in the last film, Christopher Lee’s wonderfully realized character unfortunately doesn’t even appear here).

A faux pas by Pippin (Billy Boyd) provokes Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to remove him to Minas Tirith, the magnificent White City and capital of Gondor built on a soaring outcropping of rock. There, they find a kingdom in decline under a steward, Denethor (John Noble), so distraught over the death of his elder son that his rash decisions are not to be trusted.

All the outstanding technical and craft achievements that have been duly honored in the previous installments are at least equaled and sometimes trumped here, especially in regard to how involved the creatures are this time. There has been no let-up in creativity, only intensification.

So Jackson has done it. After seven years of work, the young New Zealander has pulled off one of the most ambitious and phenomenally successful dream projects of all time, a complete visual rendering of a 1,000-page literary classic beloved by countless readers internationally, a set of films that satisfies the Tolkien purists and, when all is said and done, will generate well upwards of $3 billion in all markets.… Expand
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10
MerajMar 19, 2016
For me it was the best movie of all time. This movie has an amazing story and awesome visual effects with charismatic characters. This movie deserves 11 academy awards and all of other awards which received.
Probably the music of this movieFor me it was the best movie of all time. This movie has an amazing story and awesome visual effects with charismatic characters. This movie deserves 11 academy awards and all of other awards which received.
Probably the music of this movie is the best music between all of movies… Expand
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10
mahdi-shadowMar 28, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. my best trilogy ever and the return of the king was good and epic.It's a perfect epic. There's not one false step. The battles are incredible, the characters just as fun as ever. This movie is basically flawless. One of the best ever… Expand
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10
Zishah_1990May 22, 2016
The lord of the rings return of the King is a truly epic conclusion to the trilogy. Till this day I can go back and watch it and still be amazeed visually and emotionally. This piece of art is truly a must see to all movie lovers.
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7
Aaron_WassermanMay 31, 2016
An overlong movie, that is considered a masterpiece, though I'm not entirely sure why. It is a good movie do not get me wrong, but if you aren't invested in the books, it's hard to find investment in the films.
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10
superbatMay 27, 2020
Return of the King is an epic, and a more than satisfying conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The battle sequences, visuals, score, and settings were outstanding once again. The story, which continues from the previous two movies,Return of the King is an epic, and a more than satisfying conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The battle sequences, visuals, score, and settings were outstanding once again. The story, which continues from the previous two movies, reaches its epic climax. The characters receive the closure to their stories which they deserved. This movie, along with the whole trilogy, is a masterpiece.… Expand
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10
MasterRileyJul 20, 2016
The best conclusion to Tolkien's stories anyone could have ever asked for. The Return of the King is more than a satisfying conclusion with great casting, great acting, great action, great effects, great world building, and great music.
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10
TheGreatDustyCZAug 3, 2016
When i was a little kid, i didn't understand the film a lot, but when i´ve get older, i watched it again, i´ve watch it a lot, the whole trilogy of course. And i must admit, it is a perfection itself, it has a great cast, soundtrack, BEST CGIWhen i was a little kid, i didn't understand the film a lot, but when i´ve get older, i watched it again, i´ve watch it a lot, the whole trilogy of course. And i must admit, it is a perfection itself, it has a great cast, soundtrack, BEST CGI i´ve ever saw and the location, New Zeland is a wonderful land, what else to say? The greatest movie ever made. 100%… Expand
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10
alejandro970Aug 18, 2019
The last stand of Fellowship of the ring is on march, while Frodo is every moment more overwhelmed and absorbed by influence of sovereign ring and closer to being betrayed by loathsome Gollum. Extreme decisions, emotive and dynamicThe last stand of Fellowship of the ring is on march, while Frodo is every moment more overwhelmed and absorbed by influence of sovereign ring and closer to being betrayed by loathsome Gollum. Extreme decisions, emotive and dynamic battlegrounds and a ranger who has to claim his real place. When you get the end, do not cry. You can watch the full epic over and over.… Expand
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10
arashtitanMar 1, 2017
The final installment of Peter Jackson's trilogy turned out to be a marvelous epic that demonstrates outstanding contribution in casting, producing, cinematography, sound editing, score, visual effects, and costume design.
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10
Thatonenerd2187Jan 30, 2017
This is not only is this the best in the series, but it's one of the best movies made of all time period. The story and it's characters are what makes this movie really investing to watch. The characters are at their final stand, and watchingThis is not only is this the best in the series, but it's one of the best movies made of all time period. The story and it's characters are what makes this movie really investing to watch. The characters are at their final stand, and watching the perfect action scenes makes it very entertaining to watch. The film also changes some of the characters in dramatic ways. Some of the main characters are at their breaking point, changing them completely in such an investing way. The films action scenes are some of the best in the series. It's shot very well, it looks amazing, and has some very high tension. The acting in this movie is fantastic, without one bad performance. And by god, the soundtrack is as solid as ever. This movie reminds me of cinema at it's best, and that films as good as this do exist. I would highly recommend giving this a watch.… Expand
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10
XelanakAug 22, 2017
THis was simply the best trilogy i ever seen !
Everything here was made perfectly i just can say this : thanks to Peter Jackson for his work
The Return of the King was just amazing and far better then the first one or the second one! And theTHis was simply the best trilogy i ever seen !
Everything here was made perfectly i just can say this : thanks to Peter Jackson for his work
The Return of the King was just amazing and far better then the first one or the second one!
And the Aragorn s song in the end was just a piece of heaven!… Expand
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10
JPKJun 22, 2019
Absolutely Epic Finale
Return Of The King is a masterpiece from beginning to end.
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10
ANTtheKNEEEENov 19, 2021
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
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8
CoreGamer1408Dec 16, 2018
Not as great movie as the first two, but it is still pretty awesome compared to other movies. This one wraps up the trilogy well enough.
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9
PikeaxMar 9, 2019
This is based on the extended edition and encompasses all three LotR movies.
This movie is a classic. Tolkien's world is brought to life in truly epic fashion here. Sure it runs long, but that length ensures that nothing in the story is leftThis is based on the extended edition and encompasses all three LotR movies.
This movie is a classic. Tolkien's world is brought to life in truly epic fashion here. Sure it runs long, but that length ensures that nothing in the story is left out. I suggest judging all three Lord of the Rings movies as one collective whole, rather than as three stand alone movies. This trilogy was meant to be watched this way and the experience isn't complete without that.… Expand
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10
kilgrimMar 22, 2021
This was the last film that surprised me - for me it marks the end of cinema - about no film after it I could say "that's new!"
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10
spacebear1Jan 5, 2018
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is another flawless film in this amazing series and a fantastic conclusion to this amazing film trilogy. Once again, all of the cinematography and battle sequences were flawless. I also absolutely lovedLord of the Rings: Return of the King is another flawless film in this amazing series and a fantastic conclusion to this amazing film trilogy. Once again, all of the cinematography and battle sequences were flawless. I also absolutely loved Ian Mckellan's Gandalf the White, because he was amazing. In the end, this is a fantastically flawless masterpiece.… Expand
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10
TheRussianatorApr 10, 2018
The ending of the trilogy turns out to be the best of them all. Everything comes to a satisfying conclusion, all the characters' arcs are closed. Peter Jackson has accomplished something truly epic and this movie deserves every single praiseThe ending of the trilogy turns out to be the best of them all. Everything comes to a satisfying conclusion, all the characters' arcs are closed. Peter Jackson has accomplished something truly epic and this movie deserves every single praise that it received.… Expand
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7
ty92Sep 30, 2022
The ending was way too overdramatic. But lots to like about this one. It could have been better though.
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10
AmunozrochaJun 20, 2020
A must see, good screenplay, cool story, main characters are classy. It's a truly masterpiece
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10
Jaredc324Dec 11, 2019
You simply cannot put into words the sheer emotion, build-up and pay-off Peter Jackson gives us in Return of the King. Not a single moment isn't untouched with pure magic, as if the filmmakers were capturing their last moments in cinema.You simply cannot put into words the sheer emotion, build-up and pay-off Peter Jackson gives us in Return of the King. Not a single moment isn't untouched with pure magic, as if the filmmakers were capturing their last moments in cinema. Nothing can even touch the power this movie reaches in terms of struggle, overcoming obstacles, and even reconciling from it's trauma. This is one for a century and a generation to cherish. The Lord of the Rings marks the greatest trilogy of our time, and the greatest memory to revisit.… Expand
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10
LoletinAlexisMar 21, 2021
Simply put, the best film of the trilogy, the best trilogy ever and one of the best films ever.
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10
FilipeNetoFeb 17, 2018
This film marks the end of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, based on the epic novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. As in the other two films, it maintained the same cast and crew. In this film, the plot comes to an end with the arrival of Sam and FrodoThis film marks the end of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, based on the epic novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. As in the other two films, it maintained the same cast and crew. In this film, the plot comes to an end with the arrival of Sam and Frodo to Mordor and the villain's defeat. But we can't analyze this movie with justice if we look at it without consider the two that preceded it. The trilogy managed to keep the sense of unity and cohesion. In practice, it functions as a single film, with many hours long and divided into three parts. So, speaking of one of them is, obligatorily, talk about the three in the same way that, to understand the action of this film, is necessary to watch first the two films that preceded it.

And if the two previous films have delighted the audience with amazing and grand scenes, it will continue the work. I speak not only of huge battles (distinction for the siege of Minas Tirith), but also the amazing landscapes of New Zealand, where many of the outdoor scenes of the trilogy were shot. The abundant use of technological resources and computerization allowed scenes that seem truly impossible, such as the fight sequence at the Black Gate and the collapse of Barad Dur tower. The characterization of the characters also deserves a special care, and to prove it just watch the feet of the hobbit's or the ears of the elves.

Tension, mystery, suspense and adrenaline run through the film from start to finish and holding the audience, that follows the characters in their fight against evil. The cast is impeccable, the performances were superb and the soundtrack became iconic. Into the hands of Howard Shore, it helped him to consecrate himself as one of the biggest names in music for film, along with Enio Morriconne or Hans Zimmer.… Expand
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10
filmbuff96Mar 14, 2018
What a masterpiece this film is, and the lack of CGI is phenomenal. An excellent conclusion of Jackson's interpretation of Tolkien's marvelous book, The Lord of the Rings. It truly gives the folk feel of the beauties of home, and why one mustWhat a masterpiece this film is, and the lack of CGI is phenomenal. An excellent conclusion of Jackson's interpretation of Tolkien's marvelous book, The Lord of the Rings. It truly gives the folk feel of the beauties of home, and why one must venture and make sacrifices to keep evil at bay. Just too many symbols to name, it is just a compelling story overall from the Fellowship of the Ring to The Return of the King.… Expand
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10
karatistosJan 19, 2020
The Peter Jackson's director's cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy remain as the zenith of cinematographic achievement.
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10
Star_ScreamNov 9, 2019
Nothing is perfect, but this movie is pretty close. Can't remember how many times I have rewatched it
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10
LungoloverMar 26, 2018
The perfect book ecranisation. It has everything a perfect movie must have: memorable characters, great cinematography, an interesting story and beautiful soundtrack. And I'm not talking just about the third movie. I talk about the trilogy inThe perfect book ecranisation. It has everything a perfect movie must have: memorable characters, great cinematography, an interesting story and beautiful soundtrack. And I'm not talking just about the third movie. I talk about the trilogy in general.… Expand
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10
Sing_travellerApr 27, 2018
The lord of the rings return of the king is one of Peter Jackson s crowning achievement and one of greatest sequels of all time.
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10
Dr_SilevApr 7, 2020
Possibly the best movie ever made. Pure cinematic genius. It's somehow even better than the first two
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10
HolyDarthYodaMay 20, 2018
This is just the best fantasy movie and overall the best movie of all time. With it's battle it keeps on edge of your seat, with it's adventure it shows the visuals which are awesome. And the emotional journey. The movie is just perfect.
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10
NaurberethJun 15, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. People who give this movie a negative review have probably not seen the movies or have very bad taste. The Return of the King concludes this epic saga originally by J.R.R Tolkien and created by Peter Jackson. From the beginning to the end the movie is superb. First of all the actors there are som many talented actors who like Ian Mckellen, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, David Wenham, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis.. The list goes on and on. Everyone plays their parts spot on. The sets are absolutely beautiful and very much like i imagined them as a book reader. The music by Howard Shore is a fantastic masterpiece and undoubtedly the best movie score ever made (well worth of the oscars). The script is very well written and the movie never gets its low point, there is constantly something happening. I have to say im a huge Tolkien fan and i really think even if there was some differences from the books i think all of the movie adaptions made justice to the books. Last of all if i don't want to go on forever praising the movie is talking about "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields". This scene is the absolutely most beautiful scene i have ever seen, heard and felt on the big screen. From the arrival of the Rohirrim and seeing Minas Tirith under siege by this great evil army, Theodens speech, "Deeeatth" and then the charge. There simply is no word to describe the epic ness of this scene. Well done Peter Jackson and i don't think the Amazon series can do anything measuring up to this.… Expand
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8
StavNeuseJul 18, 2018
It's a masterpiece, simply nothing else to say. Almost every aspect of filmmaking is perfectly done. You'll never see a trilogy as perfect and well-executed as this one. A great and satisfying ending to an epic movie series, although theIt's a masterpiece, simply nothing else to say. Almost every aspect of filmmaking is perfectly done. You'll never see a trilogy as perfect and well-executed as this one. A great and satisfying ending to an epic movie series, although the second movie was a little better.… Expand
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10
meydianarizki21Jul 8, 2022
I admit it, I love all three Lord of the Rings films. People may say Return of the King is the best of the trilogy, some may say it is the worst. I personally think Two Towers is the best for its scope and better exploration of some of theI admit it, I love all three Lord of the Rings films. People may say Return of the King is the best of the trilogy, some may say it is the worst. I personally think Two Towers is the best for its scope and better exploration of some of the characters, but while it is still great Return of the King is better than Fellowship of the Ring.

My only slight disappointment is the ending, it does feel overlong and bloated for me, almost as if there was more than one ending filmed. That said, what does make the ending at least watchable for me is the way it is shot, the marvellous score and the performance of Gollum.

Despite this minor discrepancy, Return of the King is extremely good and in my view one of the better Best Picture winners last decade. Peter Jackson's direction is very impressive here, and the scope is massive and just dazzling to watch. All three films of the trilogy are very well made, but Return of the King defines the term epic. The cinematography is mind-blowing, the scenery is superb, the costumes and make-up are well tailored, the effects are superb and don't distract too much and the lighting is authentic.

The score is phenomenal. Fellowship of the Ring had some ethereal, rousing, haunting and charming themes, whereas Two Towers was somewhat darker and more complex. Return of the King merges these together and the result is a perfect mixture of charm, darkness, etherality and complexity. The story is compelling with themes of friendship, strength and loyalty, the screenplay is well-written and literate and while the film is very long the three hours or so fly by seamlessly. The characters are engaging, Aragorn is even more interesting here than he is in the previous films while Gollum continues to steal every scene he appears in.

The acting is very good. Orlando Bloom(who I can find dashing yet uncharismatic and bland) and John Rhys-Davies are given less to do but do carry their parts very well, and Elijah Wood is likable enough. Sean Astin captures Sam perfectly and provides the heart of the picture, and Viggo Mortenssen is at his charismatic best here. Ian McKellen is perfectly cast, while the design of Gollum is still superb and Andy Serkis is equally phenomenal. I was slightly disappointed by the lack of any Sarauman, but I was more than I was satisfied with the final result.

All in all, an outstanding entry to a great trilogy… Expand
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10
CelebornJan 15, 2020
This is for LegionODorkS, the weirdo who doesn’t know how to rate a movie and is too envious of others opinions. Given this movie is tied 1st all time for the most Oscars, the first ever clean sweep ever, and peaked at #2 all time at the boxThis is for LegionODorkS, the weirdo who doesn’t know how to rate a movie and is too envious of others opinions. Given this movie is tied 1st all time for the most Oscars, the first ever clean sweep ever, and peaked at #2 all time at the box office. If there was ever a movie deserving of the title, “best of all-time” this would be that movie. Now given your below mediocre review, I take it you probably never even watched the movie. But I digress, you’re probably sitting in your basement right now raving about how great Game of Thrones is and how much you hate Trump and love Obama. 10 our of 10, LOTR: ROTK is the greatest movie of all time.… Expand
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10
ErikTheCriticSep 25, 2018
It's ambitious, stirring, and spectacular. This epic final instalment is consists of everything a Tolkien fan could want. It honestly is one of the greatest movies ever made in history, and can definitely be deemed as a "masterpiece".
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10
kaneturnerNov 3, 2018
I treat all three instalments of the Lord of the Rings trilogy as one film, because that's how they play. The sense of adventure and the enormity of the story is something that no other film has ever done.
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10
Kirollos-NoahDec 5, 2018
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is once again directed by Peter Jackson, screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson, same of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings' crew. Starring Elijah Wood, IanThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is once again directed by Peter Jackson, screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson, same of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings' crew. Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis and Sean Astin.

The final battle for Middle-earth begins. Frodo and Sam, led by Gollum, continue their dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring.

If you've read my The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers reviews, so you know that I loved both of them very much, even with its flaws, it's still of the best fantasy trilogies ever made!

The final chapter of Lord of the Rings presents a very satisfying ending for every fan (of the movie or even the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien). Epic battles, emotional scenes, fascinating CGI, powerful and balanced-paced.

Everything was wrong or flawed with the previous two is now completely fixed, nothing went wrong with this movie! The performances got improved, they're way better now. The slow-mo scenes are improved too, which is mean that the direction is improved too! All of that makes The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King one of the best movie with lots of memorable moments.

The battles are essential, and even better than the battles of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. All of that is making it unique and breathtaking, with lots of fun and a repeatable movie, like for thousands of times!

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is definitely the best movie of the trilogy, and it deserves an A+!

Lots of reviews are coming ahead, new and old movie, if you liked this review, you can stick right here and see my reviews. BTW, thanks for reading and supporting my work.… Expand
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10
HunieKZSep 5, 2022
some minor changes are acceptable .the best films in the world in my opinion. i read tolkien books. it is about %90 - %95 compatible with the story.
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10
AMasterpieceFanJan 5, 2019
Copied from the first movie review since they're all basically the same

The first movie/trilogy that really impressed me. Astonishing visuals, amazing characters, fantastic worldbuilding. Easily the best movie franchise I have seen.
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10
YesterJan 25, 2020
I love Lord of the Rings books, so my rating and review is incredibly biased.
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