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FReeper Reviews of Return of the King (Spoiler FILLED)
Dec 17,2003

Posted on 12/17/2003 10:06:13 AM PST by HairOfTheDog

Lord of the Rings:
Return of the King!
FReeper reports and reviews thread


Beyond this point there be spoilers!

Like spoilers? – Keep reading!

Don't want spoilers? – Click HERE and don't look back!


TOPICS: The Hobbit Hole
KEYWORDS:
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To: BibChr

... maybe Gollum's connection to it made him that tough to kill. My best try.

How long would it take thar rock to become a frying pan -- to say nothing of (again) the rising heat?

I had the same issues. But, I've suspended disbelief so far...

Otherwise, great movie, tho I feel strangely let down. Maybe because it's the end. Perhaps the extended DVD will help.

61 posted on 12/17/2003 5:53:36 PM PST by radiohead
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To: Skywalk
I agree with you on points 3 & 4. Both of them really were missing. I did not like the scene with Denethor running off the edge; just didn't seem appropriate.
62 posted on 12/17/2003 6:01:05 PM PST by ican'tbelieveit
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To: HairOfTheDog
I just got back from my first viewing, planning to see it again for the Saturday matinee.

I know where and when to go to avoid the crowds, so I hit the 3:30 PM showing in a theater that was maybe 1/3 full. That helps avoid the annoyances, but I didn't get much audience reaction either.

I have just a couple of nits to pick, mostly what has been said above but I'll add a couple.

1. The music was suitably Wagnerian, but I felt in many places that it was overwhelmed by the sheer noise of everything else going on. This is the classical music lover in me reacting. I bet most viewers wouldn't have noticed it or cared.

2. I didn't like the way the ring ended up in the lava. It's a wonderful build-up in the book the way Frodo uses the power of the ring to curse Gollum to be thrown into the Crack of Doom if he tries to hurt Frodo again, but we don't fully realize what Frodo did until it actually happens. I don't see why that couldn't have worked just as well in the film.

Oh well, there's the extended DVD late next year.

63 posted on 12/17/2003 6:01:53 PM PST by Gordian Blade
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To: HairOfTheDog
The most important positive I can cite is that PJ, Walsh, & Boyens remained true to the spirit of Tolkien. They created a mythic world which contains the best elements of our culture and encourage us to live up to these ideals. Second, technique is stunning, particularly in the battle scenes. Third, the acting (thanks to the writing) was a step up from the first two films.

Niggles: I agree with several already cited and won't repeat. The character of Gandalf was considerably reduced from Tolkien's description. The character of the hobbits upon returning to the Shire is quite altered from the book--neglecting the major deletion of the Scouring. Frodo is nowhere near withdrawn and ill enough. Sam, Merry, & Pippin are all too introspective. They each become major dignitaries and personalities in the novel (& appendices).

The two most difficult elements to pull off from the books were the Ents and the Army of the Dead. The first PJ did brilliantly, the latter was not so successful.

See the movie by all means, but if you haven't yet done so, please read the books.

64 posted on 12/17/2003 6:25:22 PM PST by Faraday
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To: HairOfTheDog
I'm going to see it tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait!
65 posted on 12/17/2003 6:48:25 PM PST by sweetliberty (Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.)
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To: DCBryan1
You suck! Dang, that sounds fun. I wouldn't spend $100 to see it though. I'll see it tomorrow at this pathetic little theater, the only theater, in Pine Bluff. *Sigh*
66 posted on 12/17/2003 7:20:02 PM PST by sweetliberty (Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.)
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To: BibChr
Despite my criticisms, I have this feeling that upon another viewing I will get over the hype and the expectations and other emotions(sense of loss?) and just immerse myself in it.

When that comes, the floodgates open.

I believe others will experience this as well. I've had that happen in the past.
67 posted on 12/17/2003 7:34:44 PM PST by Skywalk
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To: Snake65
chilling moments as Shelob hunts Frodo

I think I might have forgotten to breathe during that segment! It was just outstanding!

68 posted on 12/17/2003 8:07:30 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: mstar
(The Houses Of Healing stories),

Yeah, we missed the lady who talks a lot in the Houses of Healing!

69 posted on 12/17/2003 8:26:16 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: Guenevere
Has anyone bought & listened to the soundtrack for Return of the King?

I think I'm getting it for Christmas! ;o)

One thing that was too bad was that they started Annie Lenox's song somewhat into the credits, and many had left the theater and probably never heard it. It is such a gorgeous song, and it made me start crying again! And I love how they showed the charcoal sketches of each actor's character during the credits. They even showed SEAN BEAN!!!

70 posted on 12/17/2003 8:29:19 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: SuziQ
Yeah, we missed the lady who talks a lot in the Houses of Healing!

Oh yeah, Ioreth! I love it when Aragorn tells her to "run as quick as your tongue and get some kingsfoil."

The Shelob scene was completely horrifying, especially to this arachnaphobic hobbit.

71 posted on 12/17/2003 8:29:54 PM PST by ecurbh (There's gonna be a hobbit wedding!)
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To: HairOfTheDog
Viggo's Hidalgo got cheers and some cheering for the new Harry Potter movie.

DANG!! We didn't get either one of those!!

72 posted on 12/17/2003 8:31:33 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: SuziQ; HairOfTheDog
And I love how they showed the charcoal sketches of each actor's character during the credits. They even showed SEAN BEAN!!!

Dang it, I have always been a credit-stayer, but since the others in my party weren't, I left with them. Well, I must say that Hair ~is~ going to stay through the credits with me at least once!

73 posted on 12/17/2003 8:32:57 PM PST by ecurbh (There's gonna be a hobbit wedding!)
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To: Skywalk; HairOfTheDog
Despite my criticisms, I have this feeling that upon another viewing I will get over the hype and the expectations and other emotions(sense of loss?) and just immerse myself in it.

Yeah... I enjoy these movies more after knowing what changes to expect.

...and teenage boys laughing at innappropriate times and making stupid comments (e.g. "I thought he liked guys" when Sam marries Rosie.) didn't improve the experience. People also complained about the length during the epilogues... Why couldn't they just shut-up and leave?

Usually the midnight crowds are full of serious fans. :-( Trilogy Tuesday must've depleted our ranks at the midnight shows.

I look forward to the day when I own a nice home theater. I love these movies and love watching them on the big screen... but I hate theater crowds.

74 posted on 12/17/2003 8:38:35 PM PST by John Farson (Cthulu for President -- why vote for the lesser evil?)
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To: Faraday
Oh I LIKD the Army of the Dead sequence!! The shot of them crawling up the walls of Minas Tirith and sweeping up through the streets was GREAT!
75 posted on 12/17/2003 8:40:35 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: John Farson
I will say this, they could have reduced the lingering gaze between Sam and Frodo a couple times, just a bit. lol
76 posted on 12/17/2003 8:41:36 PM PST by Skywalk
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To: ecurbh
Oh man, we ALWAYS stay through the credits! Today, the theater folks were cleaning up around us since we were the only ones left in there!
77 posted on 12/17/2003 8:41:59 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: John Farson
I hate theater crowds.

Check out our viewing experience this afternoon!

78 posted on 12/17/2003 8:46:33 PM PST by ecurbh (There's gonna be a hobbit wedding!)
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To: HairOfTheDog
I went to a special 10:15 showing this morning. Walked up to the window right at 10:15--no standing in line--and got a good seat right where I like it. Theatre was mostly full, but not sold out. I think it was the unusual time. When I came out, there was a line down the block for the 2:30 showing.

This is a wonderful movie, in so many ways! Just outstanding! I wanted the whole story to just go on forever! While Jackson has to delete or change some things from the books, he does capture the spirit and the imagination of the books so beautifully!

This is an uplifting story about courage, loyalty, friendship, hope, temptation. It is a story of big things--war, death--and of little things--daily vocation, doing your duty. There is feeling and warmth and emotion to this epic tale with big battle scenes. There is so much here to marvel at and mull over.

79 posted on 12/17/2003 9:11:18 PM PST by Charles Henrickson (Fan of the books *and* the movies!)
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To: HairOfTheDog

Here's My Spoiler

Someone loses a finger

Where's that nine finger song?

80 posted on 12/17/2003 9:56:23 PM PST by Jalapeno
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