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redfiona99 ([personal profile] redfiona99) wrote2003-12-24 02:20 am
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Return of the King

I'm still a little punch-drunk from it but I'll give talking about it a go. [Spoilers, lots of]



Very disturbing in fact because there are no certainties in it. At least in the other two films you knew that Gandalf always had the answers. But in this he doesn't, the brains behind the plan doesn't know what to do. And admits sending Frodo out on a foolish quest.

And Frodo trying to cast the ring out at the end. Or the way he just can't fit back into real life at the end. In fact, Frodo full stop was disturbing.

I think that was what came through the strongest.

Trying to put things in order:

Gollum becoming Gollum was freaky. And of all the scenes of violence it was probably the most effective because it was hand to hand and so sudden and out of the blue.

Gandalf saying they have to go save Gondor and Theoden being a prat about it, all "But they didn't help us." Well, mate, if you'd been helping them out with the Mordor problem they'd have been able to help you out because their Steward wouldn't have gone nutso.

Then later being all willing to help because Gondor asked for it. This might just be me, but I'm presuming he gets a thrill out of being needed and having high and mighty Gondor ask him for help (although after seeing Denethor and judging by the amount of needling from both sides I'm willing to presume they've not spoken for some time and a grudge is being held).

I love you Theoden, I really do. Except when I want to smack you for being stupid.

Pippin and Merry being all wheeeee was quite sweet. Especially later on when you realise quite how much they're going to have to deal with.

But Pippin, haven't you learnt by now not to touch shiny objects. Especially mysterious, probably magical, shiny objects.

In a similar way, if Gandalf is keeping it away from you there is a reason. Fool of a Took.

But his and Merry's parting was heartbreaking. Especially with the tobacco. And Gandalf being spectacularly unhelpful.

Minas Tirith is beautiful. I really like how there are large overlaps in architechtural style between it and Edoras but there being huge differences. For instance, even at the height of Theoden's possesion, Edoras was still quite homely and warm, whereas Minas Tirith, especially Denethor's throne room, was a lot more stoney, cold and severe. I'm saying nothing about the differences between the two places having anything to do with it.

Um Gandalf, you know what you were saying about the things Pippin ought not to mention. You do realise that leaves you with nothing to talk about. Just checking.

Luckily, Denethor knows about what's been going on. Or parts of it. And is taking it about as well as can be expected.

That streak of pessimism that runs through Boromir and Faramir, you can see where they get it from. Which of course lead to Pippin speaking out and me going aww. Plus it meant my favourite pin cushion got a five second reappearance. Although his ghost did seem to haunt quite a few of the Gondor scenes.

Pippin and Gandalf on the balcony was heartbreaking. It also provides a use for Pippin and shows why there had to be both him and Merry. If there'd only been one of them, there would have been no one for Gandalf to spark off in Minas Tirith.

I'm not even going to discuss Denethor and the scene with Faramir just back from Osgiliarth because, ouch, what did Faramir ever do to deserve that?

Plus, how good was David Wenham in that scene? I mean that look of hurt, coupled with I'm trying not to show how much that hurt. He's good, very good.

Couldn't Gandalf have tried a little harder to stop him from going out on the death and glory mission. Plus Pippin singing that song. Denethor is one messed up personage.

Meanwhile, in non-specifically Gondor related things.

Aragorn finally gets a clue about the fact Eowyn is ga-ga over him. The important word is finally. And the look on his face is classic. At least he lets her down gently.

Theoden is sweet, kind and charming. Meanwhile, why can't Eomer just stand there, ride horse well and fight, because every time he opens his mouth something stupid comes out. Moreso even than Pippin.

I smack whichever part of Rohan didn't send any riders.

Okay Arwen got me this time. She wins. Actually, I never had a problem with her (an advantage of not having read the books) and that scene in the glade. And then with Elrond. Now if anyone is allowed to have issues it's him.

And of course you have to give Aragorn the sword.

There was an interesting parallel with Denethor in the scene with Arwen and Elrond. One guy is utterly heartbroken about his daughter's decision to die (and BTW how effective was the whole hands going cold/Elrond noticing/the look of oh no on his face) while the other, who has already lost one son, is trying to get the other one killed. (Smacks Denethor.)

Dear Aragorn, I think you're going to have to accept that you're Isidur's heir and that you have to be all kingly now, and this is going to be a lot less fun than being a ranger.

I would like to announce my love for Gimli and Legolas. Especially Gimli. Although neither of them get much to do in this film.

And Theoden's response to the whole 'he's left because he knows we're all going to die' bit was honest, if not comforting. Which is also what Gandalf was doing a lot of. I love Theoden.

The scene going in to mountain of fear and trepidation was cool. Even if the cursed army were decidedly peculiar.

I think I'd probably better mention Sam and Frodo now, hadn't I. Minas Morgul, while being a cool name, was creepy. (Well duh! Red, it's the city of the Dead) Even if the Witch King displayed Bond villain levels of stupidity - dude, the shiny ring you've been after, it was right beneath you while you were flapping about on the dragon. (BTW, can I say fighting with dragons counts as cheating.)

I'm sensing I'm not supposed to hate Gollum, but I can't help it. He was so unspeakably cruel to Sam. Twisting Frodo like that, turning him against poor Sam. And yet, I feel sorry for the poor twisted creature. Not sorry enough to forgive him for doing that to Sam though. (Give up on me, that scene with Sam crying got to me)

Spider wasn't too scary. Frodo 'dying' like that was. Sam, there's no way you could have known about him not being dead. And hee, finally an orc with a personality.

Samwise getting to kick butt :)

Orcs are stupid.

They remembered Frodo's scar from the Morgul blade. And the ring and the chain had been cutting in to him. Kisses to Peter Jackson for showing not telling and for the make-up department for a bang-up job. Ditto for the blistered lips from thirst.

Sam not being willing to give the ring up immediately worried and disturbed me.

Back to Gondor - (dude, writing this gives me a whole new respect for PJ having to direct this unwieldy monster)

Anyone else willing to bet that inbetween Denethor yelling retreat and Gandalf saying hold firm there were an awful lot of guards saying 'will you just make up your bloody minds'. I also liked how the Gondorian forces were slightly fonder of retreat than their Rohan cousins.

The heads were unnecessary. Good touch by the Orcs though.

They ought to have learnt by now that the Steward's heirs are not easily killed off by arrows.

Can I take back a lot of what I said about Denethor? 'Cause he looked so heartbroken when they dragged Faramir back inside. But dude, when someone tells you your son is alive, take heed. And don't try and burn him alive. Crikey that is one messed up family.

Pippin's look of concern throughout was sweet.

"Thus passes Denethor, son of Ecsilion," does kind of say it all doesn't it.
And here comes one of the few bits in the film that annoyed me. Complete lack of 'what-happens-now' as far as Faramir is concerned.

Finally Theoden and all show up. Saints be praised.
After that speech (which was very good) and all his heroics I was hoping Theoden might make it.

The witch-king needed to be got rid of. Unpleasant creature. Random MacBeth flashbacks.
I didn't cry at Theoden's death because he seemed so peaceful, it was a happy end. If he died before Rohan was saved, then I would have cried, but like he said, he'd reached his time and regained his life, and made an end befitting a King of Rohan.

Aragorn coming out of the boat counts as a wowzer moment. Hee, I like Gimli suggesting they ought to keep hold of ghost army (he makes a good point), and Aragorn being all good-kingly about it and saying, no, they'd fulfilled their oath.

Can I officially call Aragorn's plan to distract Sauron the most crackpot thing I have ever heard. Because yes, it's crackpot. Love Gimli's reaction, even if I side more with Eomer's. Now that's something you don't hear every day.

Perfect timing by them by the way.
Had an unnerving urge to join in the fighting after Aragorn's little speech.
They managed to convey everyone's fears so very well with that exchange between Gimli and Legolas. I'd like to hug them both.

Meanwhile Sam comes up with a plan that's almost as crackpot as Aragorn's. Sam, you're weakened and malnourished too, and you think you can get Frodo up the mountain. Crackpot, adorable though.

Where did Gollum come from?
Goooo Sam.
Dear Frodo, learn from Isildur's mistake. Throw the bloody thing into the fire.
That finger was unnecessarily bloody.

The look on Gollum's face when he got frazzelled was heartbreaking. What do the Oscar's mean with their whole 'you can't give Andy Serkis and the WETA crew best supporting actor' thing?

Everyone's cheer when they realised Sauron had been defeated. And then the look on Gimli's face when they saw Mount Doom collapsing. I know other people made equally horrified faces, but Gimli's was the one that stood out.

When the screen faded to black just as all hope seemed lost I was ready to scream.
Thank goodness for Gandalf. And definitely a good way of escaping.

Frodo waking up back at Rivendell was such a flashback to the first film. To the point of me checking if the top of his finger was still missing. Great use of contrast. (Dear Academy, give PJ the Oscar already, would you.)

And then Gandalf the White appearing. That was when I realised that Frodo still didn't know he was back.
Then two Hobbits appearing. I don't think anything will ever calm Merry and Pippin down. And Gimli and Legolas. Then Aragorn. And finally Sam. Who looks so much older. I think him and Aragorn are the characters who've changed the most, physically. It shows on them somehow.

The look on Sam's face, it's so concerned and worried. Don't worry Sam you did the right thing.

~~~~ First fade that I thought would be an ending ~~~~

Viggo Mortensen's voice, or whoever was doing the singing for it, was so good. (BTW, were all the musical numbers in there to try and convince the Academy that it was a musical since they liked Chicago last year.)

That sigh just as Aragorn accepted the crown was priceless. Legolas is clean again. I feel sorry for whoever had to do the Fellowship's washing.
Eowyn and Faramir reappearing. (You know there'd better be more of them to in the EE) Faramir, when he's all cleaned up, and not in mourning, or being told that his Dad wishes he was dead, is good looking.

And then Elrond appearing. He's taking it quite well. Like I said, there is someone who is allowed to have issues.
Aragorn seeing Arwen was one of those moments. The look on his face was priceless. And the kiss. What a kiss!

Everyone bowing to the Hobbits. (Squeaks)
~~~~ second fade I thought would be the ending ~~~~

The bit in the Green Dragon. Again with the showing not telling of how far apart these four Hobbits are from the rest of them. And the look on Sam's face when he was screwing up his courage to talk to Rosie. Evil wizards and so on he can deal with, but not women.

End on Hobbit laughter. So nice to see them laugh again.
~~~~ third fade I thought would be the ending ~~~~

Wedding. And Merry's face when he gets the bouquet, priceless.

~~~~ fourth fade I thought would be the ending ~~~~

Frodo finishing the book. And Bilbo being sleepy and geriatric. Good way of showing the effects of the ring.

Please excuse me while I wail a little. I mean, I was fine when they were crying about Gandalf going because I knew Gandalf had to go because his Age was over. Ditto Galadriel and Celeborn (who got his regulation single line in again). And Elrond (please excuse me while my heart breaks for the guy/elf/whatever). And I was okay when Frodo said he was going because unlike the rest of the Hobbits I knew it would happen. I was okay when Sam started to cry, because that was understanable, them being best friends and all.

But Merry dissolving. Cue self-dissolve. Not helped by the smile. Frodo smiling is one of those beautiful sights. And one we hadn't seen enough of since the first film. The trailer lied I tell you, the whole 'there can be no victory without sacrifice,' bit had very little to do with Theoden, and everything to do with Frodo.
~~~~ fifth fade that I thought would be the ending ~~~~

Except it wasn't. But it was worth it for seeing little Eleanor Gamgee.
~~~~ Finally the end ~~~~

Not that I actually wanted it to end, but I'd been needing the toilet since Aragorn came out of the boat.

It was the wierdest effect, a film that lasted forever (it seemed) yet should have been longer. Then again, where would you put the intermission?

There needed to be more Faramir and Eowyn. And Merry.

Such a disturbing film, because the biggest heroes don't always get the happiest ending.


I'd say FOTR was my favourite out of the three because it hit me where it hurts, repeatedly, and I'm a sucker for punishment; TTT is the one I could watch over and over again because I like a good battle scene; but ROTK was the best because it lingers, not in the memory but in that strange goosebump sensation round your neck.

[identity profile] angstbunny.livejournal.com 2003-12-23 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
but I'm presuming he gets a thrill out of being needed and having high and mighty Gondor ask him for help

Dood, not just you. Same here. I think he didn't want to offer help that isn't asked for. I loved his bratty little "But they didn't help us." *snickers*

my favourite pin cushion

*WEEP*

how good was David Wenham in that scene? I mean that look of hurt, coupled with I'm trying not to show how much that hurt.

YES!!! Yesyesyes!!! That whole scene just completely and totally broke my heart. That was probably the only scene in the entire movie where I got teary-eyed. It seriously hurt, watching that. And I'm a total sucker always for guys getting teary-eyed, but not actually crying. David Wenham did that perfectly. *weep more*

I'm sensing I'm not supposed to hate Gollum, but I can't help it.

Oh man, same here. I feel like I'm supposed to sympathize with him, or at least, pity him. And I see a lot of those reactions for him. But I just HATED him. Couldn't stand him. But both Mynx and I LOVED him calling Sam "fat hobbit". It's highly amusing.

Denethor is a LOSER. I really liked Theoden at the end. You're right. He totally died the best death for the King of Rohan.

Can I officially call Aragorn's plan to distract Sauron the most crackpot thing I have ever heard.

Hahahah. YES.

Viggo Mortensen's voice, or whoever was doing the singing for it

I'm pretty sure it was Viggo.

~~~~ fifth fade that I thought would be the ending ~~~~

*snickers* Sheeyeah. Mynx and I dubbed ROTK "The Movie That Never Ends".

[identity profile] redfiona99.livejournal.com 2003-12-24 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
>>YES!!! Yesyesyes!!! That whole scene just completely and totally broke my heart. That was probably the only scene in the entire movie where I got teary-eyed. It seriously hurt, watching that. And I'm a total sucker always for guys getting teary-eyed, but not actually crying. David Wenham did that perfectly. *weep more* <<

Denethor is unnecessarily mean.

>>Oh man, same here. I feel like I'm supposed to sympathize with him, or at least, pity him. And I see a lot of those reactions for him. But I just HATED him. Couldn't stand him. But both Mynx and I LOVED him calling Sam "fat hobbit". It's highly amusing.<<

So glad that it's not just me. Because everyone else is all 'poor Gollum' and I'm like 'no, look what he did to Sam'. I think that bit is worse than the Shelob bit because Sam is so sweet and nice, and really only wants the best for Frodo.

>>Viggo Mortensen's voice, or whoever was doing the singing for it

I'm pretty sure it was Viggo.<<

In that case, the man has a voice to die for.

>>~~~~ fifth fade that I thought would be the ending ~~~~
*snickers* Sheeyeah. Mynx and I dubbed ROTK "The Movie That Never Ends".<<

:) I've never seen so many people run for the toilet at the end of a film. Two thirds of the audience did a mad dash.

[identity profile] biorhythm.livejournal.com 2003-12-24 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
Plus it meant my favourite pin cushion got a five second reappearance. Although his ghost did seem to haunt quite a few of the Gondor scenes.

Pin cushion! *dies* I agree though, I adore Boromir. He's one of my favorite characters :)

I'm not even going to discuss Denethor and the scene with Faramir just back from Osgiliarth because, ouch, what did Faramir ever do to deserve that?

I cried.


Plus, how good was David Wenham in that scene? I mean that look of hurt, coupled with I'm trying not to show how much that hurt. He's good, very good.

Oh yes. Oh oh yes. *splody*

(Give up on me, that scene with Sam crying got to me)

Me too.

Complete lack of 'what-happens-now' as far as Faramir is concerned.

I was pissed off about that, too. Extended edition bloody well better have that side-story in it. *has read the books*

Everyone bowing to the Hobbits. (Squeaks)

Again, I cried.

Legolas and Gimli don't have a whole lot to do in the books at this point, either, but I hope there's a bit more of them in the EE.

Frodo leaving Merry and Pippen and most of all Sam, I was a crying mess.

I agree with your review of the three movies. Favorite, over-and-over, goosebumps, in that order :)

[identity profile] redfiona99.livejournal.com 2003-12-24 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
>>Pin cushion! *dies*<<

It will be an icon before I go back to Uni.

>>Complete lack of 'what-happens-now' as far as Faramir is concerned.

I was pissed off about that, too. Extended edition bloody well better have that side-story in it. *has read the books*<<

Word (from Ian McKellan) is that the EE is 5 hours long.

>>I agree with your review of the three movies. Favorite, over-and-over, goosebumps, in that order :)<<

:)