Return of the King
Here's a RotK review that was originally posted on AICN:
Hey Harry,
So yesterday got to see the new LOTR flick at the DGA, usually I see a lot of screenings with Mr. Beaks, and not to inflate his ego, but one of the main reasons I stopped writing is I think he does at least an average job....okay he can review flicks pretty well. But with Beaks currently traveling the country on a secret mission....otherwise known as Thansgiving, I decided to take a crack at what I just saw. Except rather than a full fledged review, I guess it turned into something else.
Frosty Skywalker
The journey has ended. As happy as I was to voyage back to the land of middle earth this morning, all I have left is sadness. Gone is my wonder and excitement of how this story will end. How is Frodo going to do this task? What will happen to Gandalf? Or the bigger issue in my mind, who will die? In case you cannot tell, I have not read the books. After watching The Fellowship of the Ring I knew I would read them, but after watching the films. Hearing my friends complain about what has been changed or left out, I decided to give Peter Jackson a chance to let him tell the story as a movie, and not let the books get in the way of my enjoyment. No film can do a book justice, and the inability for fans and critics who sometimes forget this basic fact is always quite frustrating. Now about me not reading ! the books, well this was quite possibly the best decision I have ever made. Over the past few winters I have entered a world that I did not know existed, outside of some friends who used to tell me what I was missing, I cared not for the land of Middle Earth, or for the plight of Frodo and his quest to destroy the ring. Now I feel like I was a simple Shire folk who never ventured out to see what was beyond my door.
I really want to thank Peter Jackson. No film as an adult has brought me back to the sense of wonder and enchantment that I remember feeling as a child. No film has made me forget about my troubles and worries, or really made me feel like I had traveled to a place that I could touch or feel. When I was a kid I had Star Wars, and while those films and the new prequels have an extremely special place in my heart, I now have a new favorite land. While watching Frodo finish his quest, I forgot about time, I forgot about hunger and I forgot about everything else based in reality. The great thing is I was not alone. Not a soul moved in the theater around me. No cell phone went off, no one was fidgeting in their seat. In fact in a three hour and twenty minute film I did not see one person stand up to use the bathroom. That fact alone should tell you how captivated everyone was.
How does a director manage to create a brilliant commercial vehicle that pleases your average filmgoer, yet to someone knowledgeable about how film really works, someone who knows that films are sometimes just happy accidents, how can they show the same film and please the critics and hard core fans? No matter if you cherish or despise the world of The Lord of the Rings, you have to take a moment and congratulate Peter Jackson and the work of all the people who clearly gave the blood and soul to a project that might never be equaled in our lifetime. If the Boston Red Sox cannot win a world series in over 80 years, how can we assume that in our modern age of big business and bottom line decisions, we will be able to recreate another story that can cause everyone, from the young and old, and all around the world, to fall in love in a fantasy universe.
I feel like I have traveled with Frodo on the quest, like I was the other member of the fellowship, and while my friend who watched the movie with me tonight felt that the ending carried on, I knew what I needed to see. When you become close to characters, when you have spent over 10 hours watching an epic unfold, you cannot just accomplish the mission and expect to close the curtains and get up and walk out of the theater. When the journey began we found Frodo and the Shire, we were painted a slow picture of Middle Earth and the surroundings, and at the end, we slowly leave our old friends to begin anew.
Things that really stood out today were of course a new Legolas drop your jaw I just did not see that moment. Legolas thought it would be a good idea to climb an elephant, with people riding in that top piece, and just go to town on the poor beast as it attacked. If you thought that moment of him climbing onto the moving horse with Gimli was coolÖ.you have seen nothing yet. The whole elephant attack was unreal, with people flying to and fro as the tusks dug into everyone. The attack on Gondor was an hour or so (lost track of all time) of blistering action and amazing effects that we have all come to expect from these films. Something I found unintentionally amusing was the Orc leader might have been Slothís brother from The Goonies, something to look for when watching. I really do not want to give away anything more, almost everyone who reads this s! ite is planning on visiting a movie theater opening weekend, and this is honestly a journey that everyone should take. While talking to someone tonight at dinner I told him how the film ends and he said that it is really close to the same as the book, outside of a few things, most notably Sauraman having control of the Shire.
I usually can see a film and immediately tell you what was wrong, or what could be better. In fact I know most of us can. With the film today I just do not know. Could things have been done better? Was the pacing at the beginning a little off? Did it take about forty five minutes or so to find the groove? Or were my expectations so high that I would need to see god in the theater to be happy. Probably. The truth is this is a movie, and a great one at that. I guess there is a lot of buildup with everyone, including myself, who really want to see the film win Best Picture, and get all the mainstream recognition that the trilogy truly deserves. Is this film Best Picture material? I think that is the one question I was asked at dinner more than anything else. My unbiased answer is yes, especially the way the first film was robbed by A Garbage Mind. But the academy is a weird bunch, and while this ! might be the best film of the year (who really can say what is the best picture), with the previous two and the fact that this is a really great movie, it will probably win based on the combination of the three. I really cannot say until I see the other big guns in the next few weeks. As it stands right now, Best Picture is New Lines, but I am still a little nervous.
Passion. True passion comes from the heart. When we see art from a painting to a sculpture, from an actor working for the work, or a volunteer giving because they want to, passion in what you do shines like the sun breaking through a rainy day. The Lord of the Rings displays a passion that I have not seen in possibly my entire life of watching films. Mind you there are many brilliant directors who each have a passion to share, but this is quite different. The passion that I see from the smallest detail to the largest miniature might never be reached again. Hatís off to everyone who made these movies. I love them, and I want to thank you for making them as good as they are.
Return of the King reviews
Return of the King reviews
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
-
fable
- Posts: 30676
- Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2001 12:00 pm
- Location: The sun, the moon, and the stars.
- Contact:
Originally posted by Bloodmist
Too much text... too much text....
Oh, I don't know. The thread's title has a certain minimalist pithiness. If you're into pith.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
Doh! This is a Return of the King review (from AICN) I wanted to share with you guys but the internet screwed up and I couldn't get back online until now. Fabster, if you could re-name the thread to something more apropos (Like Return of the King reviews or some such) I'd be much obliged.
So far the movie is sounding good. As fans will know, the flick opens in two weeks and I've already pre-ordered my tickets (I always go on opening day).
This is a Return of the King review (from AICN) I wanted to share with you guys but the internet screwed up and I couldn't get back online until now. Fabster, if you could re-name the thread to something more apropos (Like Return of the King reviews or some such) I'd be much obliged. So far the movie is sounding good.
As fans will know, the flick opens in two weeks and I've already pre-ordered my tickets (I always go on opening day). Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Originally posted by fable
You mean you weren't making a fashion statement? I'm...shocked.
Done.
The only fashion statements I make are when I wear a purple leisure suit and pimp hat.
Thanks for the mit o' Mod magic. More Good reviews (but be warned, there are spoilers):
I was fortunate enough to see a media screening of ROTK last night at The Lowe's Kips Bay theater in New York City. I've never sent you a review before but after reading the reviews you posted so far I felt I needed to. Although ultimately positive, most of these reviews have felt underwhelming. If anyone were to ask my opinion (which I know they are not) I was expecting to see movie history made with ROTK. I was expecting to see the movie event of the past 10 years. I was expecting to be blown away so to speak. These are probably the highest expectations I've ever placed on a film before. It would seem that I was setting myself up for disappointment. Ever since the Phantom Menace I've had to adjust (lower) my expectations for films. But I couldn't do that this time. I had to go in with my emotions at full throttle. These films have meant too much. And almost unbelievably, ROTK fulfilled all of my expectations and then some.
ROTK is an exquisite film. By far the best of its genre. By far the best film of the year so far. It is absolutely incredible. It's mindblowing, exhilirating, moving, and exhausting (in a good way). The scope of the film is massive and yet the character moments are intimate. The film is such an accomplishment on so many different levels, I will be shocked if it doesnt clean up at the Oscars. Whew! Ok, let me get a hold of myself again.
When I walked out of TTT a year or so ago, the first things that came out of my mouth were the problems I had with the film: Sam and Frodo not having enough screentime, Shelob being moved to ROTK, Faramir's character not being fleshed out enough (they should not have cut the flashback of Faramir, Boromir, and Denethor). But when my buddies and I walked out of the theater last night we walked in quiet awe for a few minutes. Then one of my friends looked at me and asked "what was your favorite moment?" What followed was an hour long conversation of all of our favorite moments in the film. They were so many great moments in the that we couldn't recall them all. I remembered seeing something great in the film and thinking I'm gonna talk about that later and then not being able to recall what it was. It really is that overwhelming.
Before I get into spoilers I just want to say that the most important aspect of the film for me was that, like the books, ROTK really centered on the hobbits. They all get there time to shine and rightly so. The story is after all about the smallest person being able to to make the biggest difference.
Ok, onto spoilers. I know some of you need spoilers like Gollum needs the ring, so here goes...
Scenes and moments that I loved: The opening scene and transformation of smeagol to gollum is great, please give andy serkis a nod academy. Pippen stealing the palantir from an ever watchful gandalf-the wizard sleeps with his eyes open. Gandalfs arrival in Minas Tirith with trumpets blaring- Minas tirith is something to see. Pippen singing to Denethor while Faramir leads a doomed charge towards Osgiliath. PJ's nod to The Goonie's Sloth (you'll know it when you see it). Gollum turning Frodo against Sam by tossing the rest of their food away-Sams response to Frodo's order here should get Sean Astin nominated. If there is a clear actor nomination for Return it is Sean Astin. Gandalf knocking out Denethor-"RETREEEEEAT!!"-THUNK!.
I warned you about spoilers-I'm going deep now. Gandalf going nuts wth his staff and sword to protect Pippen. The charge of the Rohirrm agaist the standing army. Their second charge agaist the oliphaunts-suicidal stuff. Ok, onto the great stuff- The witch king knocking the hell out of Theoden. Everyone flees and the only one who stands their ground is Eowyn. It is one of the most powerful moments. The slow pan down the witchking's giant mace-killer stuff. I almost thought PJ screwed up when Frodo seemingly got out of Shelob's den alive. It is set up perfectly though. Shelobs sneak attack had people gasping, and Sams battle with the spider is awesome. Once again you will be cheering for Sam throughout. You will hear everyone talk about Legolas singlehandedly taking out an Oliphaunt and yes its quite a site to see. Gimli's line afterwards makes it even better. Denethor's descent in flames. A surprisingly moving moment is Gandalf's explanation of the Life after death to Pippen-and it happens in the middle of a huge battle. The return of Aragorn and the army of the dead cleaning up the walls of Minas Tirith. Sam deciding that he can't carry his master's burden but he can carry him up the slopes of mount doom. Gollum's joy and dancing when he finally gets the ring back- he truly dies a happy gollum. The destruction of the eye.
And the most powerful moment in the movie for me came near the end: So good I dont want to spoil it: A line that Aragorn speaks to the 4 hobbits-once again you'll know it. A lot will be said to the length of the film's ending. It is quite long. I'm not sure if we needed to see Sam getting married but it didnt bother me. Remember we are wrapping up 3 films here.
Ok I've got to get back to work but I'm glad I got that out there. I hope other people enjoy the film as much as I did. I can't believe I have to wait 2 and a half weeks to see it again.
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Yep. Having read the books, I already know what's going to happen. I just like having encouraging news that the movie is recreating that plot well.
Having read the books, I already know what's going to happen. I just like having encouraging news that the movie is recreating that plot well. Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Wow...... Just, wow. Words fail me. I've just got back from watching the Return of the King and believe me when I say it's the best movie in the trilogy, despite leaving out some of my favorite parts of the book (which hopefully will be back in the RotK Extended Edition). The battle of the Pelenor fields/siege of Minis Tirith is the biggest battle in the history of cinema (it makes Helm’s Deep look like a petty skirmish by comparison). It's simply awesome to behold. But the best CGI parts come from Shelob the giant spider, which is frighteningly realistic (and pretty nightmarish if you're arachnophobic like I am).
Gollum is great as usual and Denethor (briefly seen in the extended cut of the Two Towers) is both a mad a-hole as well as a sympathetic father (when he clutches Boromir’s broken horn you can feel his grief over the loss of his son). Sean Astin’s portrayal of Samwise is Oscar worthy (My favorite line: “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you”). Frodo’s role is a bit thankless but pivotal and Elijah Wood does a great job with it. The ending (or should that be endings?) go on for a while but that’s fine by me. I didn’t want the journey to end. Here’s hoping Peter Jackson gets around to doing The Hobbit after he’s done with King Kong.
The Return of the King: Best... Movie... EVER!
Gollum is great as usual and Denethor (briefly seen in the extended cut of the Two Towers) is both a mad a-hole as well as a sympathetic father (when he clutches Boromir’s broken horn you can feel his grief over the loss of his son). Sean Astin’s portrayal of Samwise is Oscar worthy (My favorite line: “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you”). Frodo’s role is a bit thankless but pivotal and Elijah Wood does a great job with it. The ending (or should that be endings?) go on for a while but that’s fine by me. I didn’t want the journey to end. Here’s hoping Peter Jackson gets around to doing The Hobbit after he’s done with King Kong.
The Return of the King: Best... Movie... EVER!
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Jackson has already stated he wouldn't do the Hobbit.
I havn't seen it yet (I'm seeing it Saturday night), so I can't comment on the best movie ever comment, like I could on the appearence of that... unwise comment regarding TTT (By a certain frog, if I recall correctly ).
But it looks great (despite that idiot Wood), and the score, although not always great melodically, gives a fantastic epic feel and sense of closure to it.
Morlock- A die hard soundtrack fan who loves Howard 'Cult composer' Shore
I havn't seen it yet (I'm seeing it Saturday night), so I can't comment on the best movie ever comment, like I could on the appearence of that... unwise comment regarding TTT (By a certain frog, if I recall correctly
).But it looks great (despite that idiot Wood), and the score, although not always great melodically, gives a fantastic epic feel and sense of closure to it.
Morlock- A die hard soundtrack fan who loves Howard 'Cult composer' Shore
"Veni,Vidi,vici!"
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
Originally posted by Morlock
Jackson has already stated he wouldn't do the Hobbit.
Apparently he's changed his mind, if the reports I've read on Ain't it Cool News are true.
After the phenomenal success of LotR, the Hobbit is going to be a much sought after commodity for film makers. Already several studios are battling for the rights. Originally posted by Morlock
I havn't seen it yet (I'm seeing it Saturday night), so I can't comment on the best movie ever comment, like I could on the appearence of that... unwise comment regarding TTT (By a certain frog, if I recall correctly
Unwise comment? I stand by my comments made on the Two Towers (though RotK is even better).
Resistance is futile! Accept the manifest greatness of these movies, to which no other film can compare. As Harry Knowles put it in his review: "There truly is no film to compare to RETURN OF THE KING". Originally posted by Morlock
But it looks great (despite that idiot Wood), and the score, although not always great melodically, gives a fantastic epic feel and sense of closure to it.
That idiot Wood? What did Elijah Wood do to earn your scorn?
And yes, the score is awesome. Howard Shore's recent work puts John Williams (whose work I love) to shame.
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Originally posted by Kayless
That idiot Wood? What did Elijah Wood do to earn your scorn?
And yes, the score is awesome. Howard Shore's recent work puts John Williams (whose work I love) to shame.
Somewhere between Forever Young, North and The good son, he lost me for good. He was damn whelp in FoTR.
And TTT as a whole is nowhere near the top 50 movie of all times. As a technical achievement it's as good as it gets- but it has no heart, except for Gollum, who cannot carry a whole movie.
No offence- but calling TTT the best movie of all times is LoTR fanboy talk. It has nowhere near as much deapth, significance, or creative story telling as The Godfather, Amadeus, or Schindler's List- My three favorite movies.
And although Shore is a fantastic composer, his best work is before the LoTR. He was much better as the 'Cult Composer', having alot smaller and more diverse scores.
And the first two scores are superb in the movie, but on the album are extremely wanting. There's not enough melody to spred around TTT and RoTK. Niether of the two main new themes in TTT are particulaly original, and Gollum's song is just a bad Bond song with a cheap Bjork.
No one could ever put Williams to shame. (BTW- he hasn't come out with a score this year, so you can't judge it right now).
He i still the best film composer of all times, and if I'd have to choose between Shore's five scores of the past three years and williams' six, Williams would be my choice.
"Veni,Vidi,vici!"
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
-
fable
- Posts: 30676
- Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2001 12:00 pm
- Location: The sun, the moon, and the stars.
- Contact:
Originally posted by Morlock
No one could ever put Williams to shame. (BTW- he hasn't come out with a score this year, so you can't judge it right now).
He i still the best film composer of all times,
How would you compare, say, Shostakovich (who did more than thirty film scores), Prokofiev, Auric, Korngold, Herrmann, and Moross each to Williams?
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
How would you compare, say, Shostakovich (who did more than thirty film scores), Prokofiev, Auric, Korngold, Herrmann, and Moross each to Williams?
I as aware of film scores as anyone, but I still must say that Williams is my favorite of all of them. He has such a plathora of themes, he is extremely diverse and I have never heard a score of his that I didn't like some portion of (and I've heard over 70 of his 94 scores). Most people who know of him would say he's only good for big, brassy, heroic work like Star Wars, Superman and Indiana Jones- but he's more diverse than even most soundtrack lovers will ever know. He has superb Celtic, Americana, Afrikan, southern, Eastern, European, Jewish, Chrisitan, jazz, blues, bluegrass, pop themed scores, for every insturment from piano to violin to cello to bassoon to trombone to guitar to saxaphone to drums to trumpet to chillest to harpsy chord to harp to...whatever other insturment you can think of.
[/rant]
Moross is somewhat of a enigma to me- he had a number of fantastic scores, and then only did small movies and tv projects. I don't know if that was by choice or not, but he's had at least 6 fantastic scores, in addition to great tv themes (especialy Wagon Train). Obviously, his Big Country is his best, and set a standard as of yet unsurpassedin Western movie's scores (although Elmer Bernstein's Magnificent Seven is not too far behind).
Korngold was great, but not diverse enough for me. He was the epitome of adventure/swashbuckling scores, but I find except from from those movies (which include Robin hood and the Sea Hawk) his scores leave something to be desired.
I don't know much about Shostakovich in films, butI'm generaly not a fan of his.
Prokofiev was fantastic in just about everything he touched, but he simply didn't do enough film scores to compare to the rest. His average is certainly one fo the highest though.
Herrmann is the best of the golden age composers, but even he is sometimes too one note and not melodic enough. Anything of his that is horror or uses strings is fantastic, as that was his expertise, but his work in other genres was somewhat limited. Thus, Vertigo, Psycho, The Twilight Zone, David Coperfield, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Cape Fear are the absolute best in their genres, but otherwise he only has a few really fantastic scores. Those include Citizen Kane (which has quite a bit of horror type music, but has such jolly cues like 'The Inquirer'), North by Northwest and taxi Driver.
Sorry for hijacking the topic.
I as aware of film scores as anyone, but I still must say that Williams is my favorite of all of them. He has such a plathora of themes, he is extremely diverse and I have never heard a score of his that I didn't like some portion of (and I've heard over 70 of his 94 scores). Most people who know of him would say he's only good for big, brassy, heroic work like Star Wars, Superman and Indiana Jones- but he's more diverse than even most soundtrack lovers will ever know. He has superb Celtic, Americana, Afrikan, southern, Eastern, European, Jewish, Chrisitan, jazz, blues, bluegrass, pop themed scores, for every insturment from piano to violin to cello to bassoon to trombone to guitar to saxaphone to drums to trumpet to chillest to harpsy chord to harp to...whatever other insturment you can think of.
[/rant]
Moross is somewhat of a enigma to me- he had a number of fantastic scores, and then only did small movies and tv projects. I don't know if that was by choice or not, but he's had at least 6 fantastic scores, in addition to great tv themes (especialy Wagon Train). Obviously, his Big Country is his best, and set a standard as of yet unsurpassedin Western movie's scores (although Elmer Bernstein's Magnificent Seven is not too far behind).
Korngold was great, but not diverse enough for me. He was the epitome of adventure/swashbuckling scores, but I find except from from those movies (which include Robin hood and the Sea Hawk) his scores leave something to be desired.
I don't know much about Shostakovich in films, butI'm generaly not a fan of his.
Prokofiev was fantastic in just about everything he touched, but he simply didn't do enough film scores to compare to the rest. His average is certainly one fo the highest though.
Herrmann is the best of the golden age composers, but even he is sometimes too one note and not melodic enough. Anything of his that is horror or uses strings is fantastic, as that was his expertise, but his work in other genres was somewhat limited. Thus, Vertigo, Psycho, The Twilight Zone, David Coperfield, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Cape Fear are the absolute best in their genres, but otherwise he only has a few really fantastic scores. Those include Citizen Kane (which has quite a bit of horror type music, but has such jolly cues like 'The Inquirer'), North by Northwest and taxi Driver.
Sorry for hijacking the topic.
"Veni,Vidi,vici!"
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
Originally posted by Morlock
Somewhere between Forever Young, North and The good son, he lost me for good. He was damn whelp in FoTR.
Errr... Okaaay. I don't really understand your meaning but what the hey, good on you.
TTT has no heart? Bah! Go back in your hole you lugubrious freak of nature.Originally posted by Morlock
And TTT as a whole is nowhere near the top 50 movie of all times. As a technical achievement it's as good as it gets- but it has no heart, except for Gollum, who cannot carry a whole movie.
No offence- but calling TTT the best movie of all times is LoTR fanboy talk. It has nowhere near as much deapth, significance, or creative story telling as The Godfather, Amadeus, or Schindler's List- My three favorite movies.
Your senses have obviously become so adapted to dank grotto in which you dwell that they have made you oblivious to the obvious. Originally posted by Morlock
No one could ever put Williams to shame. (BTW- he hasn't come out with a score this year, so you can't judge it right now).
He i still the best film composer of all times, and if I'd have to choose between Shore's five scores of the past three years and williams' six, Williams would be my choice.
No offence, but calling John Williams the best film composer all time is just John William's fanboy talk.
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Well, I saw it opening night (last night for me), and must agree with many of the reviews I've seen. Not only did it meet my expectations, but it did, indeed, exceed them. And before any comments of fanboy-dom arise, I'm one of the harshest critics known in my school (both high school and university), in that I usually am not excited about anything. This movie, though, had me excited. Everything from the music, to the cinematography, to the action.
My only real problems with movie are as follows:
1) Legolas scene stealing action. While his Oliphaunt stunt was cool in all regardes, I'll be damned if it's nothing more than theatrics
2) Peter Jackson did this in TTT, and did it again now. He broke up the combat scenes! I cannot stress this enough. With something that epic, don't break it up! Play through the one part, then cut to another, don't bounce back and forth.
3) I know it was wrapping up three movies, but the ending. There are endings made for cinema, and endings made for books. LotR had an ending for a book, not cinema. I feel that PJ dragged it on a little more than he needed to.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the movie thoroughly, and think it is the Epic movie to beat all Epics
My only real problems with movie are as follows:
1) Legolas scene stealing action. While his Oliphaunt stunt was cool in all regardes, I'll be damned if it's nothing more than theatrics
2) Peter Jackson did this in TTT, and did it again now. He broke up the combat scenes! I cannot stress this enough. With something that epic, don't break it up! Play through the one part, then cut to another, don't bounce back and forth.
3) I know it was wrapping up three movies, but the ending. There are endings made for cinema, and endings made for books. LotR had an ending for a book, not cinema. I feel that PJ dragged it on a little more than he needed to.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the movie thoroughly, and think it is the Epic movie to beat all Epics
Yes, but many people (including your pre-LoTR self) would agree with me, and I say this after hearing hundreds and hundreds of film scores.
TTT is an amazing technical achievment, and has amazing visuals- but it's heros are your classic swashbucklers and trusty sidekicks. I felt nothing for any of the characters except Gollum. I cried when Duvall told the Godfather Sonny was dead. That's the difference between a very good movie and a great movie.
Even the FoTR was better in that sense- it at least had one interesting character- Boromir, who was also the best acted character among the first two movies. Too bad the movie was otherwise uninteresting and had a lot of stiff acting.
Of course- my opinion now means nothing, as I havn't seen the third movie yet.
Either way- I'm thankfull for the films, for making movies and more important, movie making a popular thing again, for all ages.
TTT is an amazing technical achievment, and has amazing visuals- but it's heros are your classic swashbucklers and trusty sidekicks. I felt nothing for any of the characters except Gollum. I cried when Duvall told the Godfather Sonny was dead. That's the difference between a very good movie and a great movie.
Even the FoTR was better in that sense- it at least had one interesting character- Boromir, who was also the best acted character among the first two movies. Too bad the movie was otherwise uninteresting and had a lot of stiff acting.
Of course- my opinion now means nothing, as I havn't seen the third movie yet.
Either way- I'm thankfull for the films, for making movies and more important, movie making a popular thing again, for all ages.
"Veni,Vidi,vici!"
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
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Maharlika
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...I think I shed a tear or two when everyone bowed down to the four hobbits after Aragorn's coronation.
btw, whatever happened to the elves after Helm' Deep?
btw, whatever happened to the elves after Helm' Deep?
"There is no weakness in honest sorrow... only in succumbing to depression over what cannot be changed." --- Alaundo, BG2
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(Spoiler full)
Ok I saw it.
I'll start with the negative. The endings almost ruined the movie for me. I mean, 35 minutes of ending after ending, and with a lot of the same characters. That was sloppy. And even that would have been ok, but they trick the odience- he keeps on fading out! The audience started clapping 5 different times because in movie language- the movie siad it was over. I think the endings did not fit in the epic nature of saga, neither battle epic nor human epic. Ian Holm had too much make up on. His main vertue is his amazingly compassionate and human face, which you couldn't see (They should've gotten Rick Baker- the most amazing makeup artist in the world).
And of course I can understand that the ywanna bringit all back to the Shire, with memories of Rosie etc. but i don't think it works.
The only emotion I felt was the natural one, which was on the screen. I didn't feel anything in particular when they say 'here's where you cry or cheer' like with everyone bowing to the hobbits.
I do think there was room for Saruman at the begining (and I love Wromtongue), but I'm not gonna nitpick, as it's gonna be on the DVD/
Now, although the frog is gonna jump me for my comments above- keep in mind that I started with the negative to get it out of the way. Onto the positive!
By Character (in no particular order):
Gimli- Big improvement. I didn't like his treatment in TTT, but his humor was less evident and more dwarf-like in RotK. Of course, my favorite line is "Certain chance of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" , with the apropriate hand gestures.
Arwen- Big improvement as well. I thought she was out of place in the first two, and was abit pissed off about her replacing the elf from the big in saving Frodo and co. from the Nazgul in LoTR. She was very good in RoTK.
Merry and Pippin- I didn't particulaly like or dislike them in any of the movies, and I think that having their entrance as jokey pot heads was just below the movie. I hated the scene in the TTT extended Edition when they find Saruman's secret stash.
Sam- I don't think it's oscar worthy material, but he's very good. I didn't like the line you mentioned, because it seemed a bit ridicules that they kept on finding their inner strength or second wind or whatever, with so much more mountain to go.
I didn't like his accent, or how his tone of voice (which sounds strained) when he says "He means to murder us".
Frodo- I liked him most in RoTK. I'm very happy and impressed that Jackson didn't try and dim it down- he was dark, confused, conflicted, obssesed etc., like the book. I'm very happy with the scene inside the mountain.
Gollum- For me, the best thing to come out of the trilogy. Although I didn't like the flashback, as the swecond hobbit seemed very fake to me- like they just costumed him and told him act stereotypicaly hobbit-like.
He was even better than he was in TTT, and I liked him as an independant character, not bound to Frodo or Sam.
Faramir- I think his scenes were really the only important thing to come from the Extended Edition, and are really essential to his scenes in RoTK. Him and gollum were the characters I could connect to most.
Gandalf- Easily the best here. I thought he was good in LoTR, not good in TTT (where his beard looked very fake at times), but he was perfect in RoTK. His characteristics were well balanced.
Onto miscellanious comments:
Visually, an amazing achievment. as compelling as any movie. It had one moment where I felt and almost orgasmic (too much information, I know) exhiliration. That's the scene with the fires on the hill tops. I thought they would only show one or two, but as it went on, with that amazing Hoawrd Shore Gondor music. is one of the greatest moments I've ever seen on film.
I think that seeing so many movies, so much crap, really halps you apreciate how awesome the visuals and the effects of a really amazing achievment.
One thing I kept on thinking, is how Harry Potter is a joke, a spoof compared to this. Here you have Gollum. There- you have a pathetic, fake looking Dobby. There you have a terrible life size doll of Aragog. Here- you have Shelob, the most impressive CGI monster since Jurassic Park. Shelob moves realistically, is spider like, looks tangible, and actualy looks threatening.
I loved the orc who first finds Frodo, and who first picks up the mythril vest. He has a great face. For some reason- he reminded me of Michael Palin (from Monty Python). Especialy as the begger in Life of Brian.
I liked the dead army, even though I think they couldv'e done a little more with them- very well concieved and executed. BTW- in the shot when dozens of them storm an oliphaunt, did any one else think of the flesh eating bugs from the mummy?
The City of Minas Tirith was amazing. It's hard to believe that that's a miniature and CGI. Especialy the top most level, with the tree and the garden and the amazing view. It's amazing it only cost $300 million.
I actually found the battle not as impressive as I thought I would- after Helm's Deap, which may have only been a preview, but we see a lot of the same things over again. It was amazing and exhlirating, but not as awe inspiring as I would've hoped for.
Howard Shore's score was fantastic- I think my absolute favorite themes as used in the movie is the gondor theme. But still- 'The braking of the Fellowship' from LoTR is my favorite cue from the movies. I can't wait for the 10 CD set of the music from the movies!
All in all-
I found I liked the first half more than the second, which I think says something very good about the movie. In an epic, I found the set up more interesting than the epic battle itself.
I wouldn't call the movie one of the best ever made- but I definatly would call the trilogy as a whole one of the best movies ever. It's the only trilogy in history that is better than the best movie in it. I still like the Godfather more- but it's weighed down by it's equels. The Lord of The Rings saga is as complete as it gets, and is also the most amazing technical achivement in the history of film.
Six years ago, when I saw 'Forgotten Silver', 'The Frighteners' and 'Heavenly Creatures'- I could never have dreamed that I'd be saying what I am about Peter Jackson.
I think the endings prevent the movie from being my favorite of the year (which would be Master and Commander), but it is certainly the most imporatant and most memorable one, and the trilogy as a whole deserves to sweep the oscars.
If there's one award any man desreves- it's Peter Jackson for best Director.
Ok I saw it.
I'll start with the negative. The endings almost ruined the movie for me. I mean, 35 minutes of ending after ending, and with a lot of the same characters. That was sloppy. And even that would have been ok, but they trick the odience- he keeps on fading out! The audience started clapping 5 different times because in movie language- the movie siad it was over. I think the endings did not fit in the epic nature of saga, neither battle epic nor human epic. Ian Holm had too much make up on. His main vertue is his amazingly compassionate and human face, which you couldn't see (They should've gotten Rick Baker- the most amazing makeup artist in the world).
And of course I can understand that the ywanna bringit all back to the Shire, with memories of Rosie etc. but i don't think it works.
The only emotion I felt was the natural one, which was on the screen. I didn't feel anything in particular when they say 'here's where you cry or cheer' like with everyone bowing to the hobbits.
I do think there was room for Saruman at the begining (and I love Wromtongue), but I'm not gonna nitpick, as it's gonna be on the DVD/
Now, although the frog is gonna jump me for my comments above- keep in mind that I started with the negative to get it out of the way. Onto the positive!
By Character (in no particular order):
Gimli- Big improvement. I didn't like his treatment in TTT, but his humor was less evident and more dwarf-like in RotK. Of course, my favorite line is "Certain chance of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" , with the apropriate hand gestures.
Arwen- Big improvement as well. I thought she was out of place in the first two, and was abit pissed off about her replacing the elf from the big in saving Frodo and co. from the Nazgul in LoTR. She was very good in RoTK.
Merry and Pippin- I didn't particulaly like or dislike them in any of the movies, and I think that having their entrance as jokey pot heads was just below the movie. I hated the scene in the TTT extended Edition when they find Saruman's secret stash.
Sam- I don't think it's oscar worthy material, but he's very good. I didn't like the line you mentioned, because it seemed a bit ridicules that they kept on finding their inner strength or second wind or whatever, with so much more mountain to go.
I didn't like his accent, or how his tone of voice (which sounds strained) when he says "He means to murder us".
Frodo- I liked him most in RoTK. I'm very happy and impressed that Jackson didn't try and dim it down- he was dark, confused, conflicted, obssesed etc., like the book. I'm very happy with the scene inside the mountain.
Gollum- For me, the best thing to come out of the trilogy. Although I didn't like the flashback, as the swecond hobbit seemed very fake to me- like they just costumed him and told him act stereotypicaly hobbit-like.
He was even better than he was in TTT, and I liked him as an independant character, not bound to Frodo or Sam.
Faramir- I think his scenes were really the only important thing to come from the Extended Edition, and are really essential to his scenes in RoTK. Him and gollum were the characters I could connect to most.
Gandalf- Easily the best here. I thought he was good in LoTR, not good in TTT (where his beard looked very fake at times), but he was perfect in RoTK. His characteristics were well balanced.
Onto miscellanious comments:
Visually, an amazing achievment. as compelling as any movie. It had one moment where I felt and almost orgasmic (too much information, I know) exhiliration. That's the scene with the fires on the hill tops. I thought they would only show one or two, but as it went on, with that amazing Hoawrd Shore Gondor music. is one of the greatest moments I've ever seen on film.
I think that seeing so many movies, so much crap, really halps you apreciate how awesome the visuals and the effects of a really amazing achievment.
One thing I kept on thinking, is how Harry Potter is a joke, a spoof compared to this. Here you have Gollum. There- you have a pathetic, fake looking Dobby. There you have a terrible life size doll of Aragog. Here- you have Shelob, the most impressive CGI monster since Jurassic Park. Shelob moves realistically, is spider like, looks tangible, and actualy looks threatening.
I loved the orc who first finds Frodo, and who first picks up the mythril vest. He has a great face. For some reason- he reminded me of Michael Palin (from Monty Python). Especialy as the begger in Life of Brian.
I liked the dead army, even though I think they couldv'e done a little more with them- very well concieved and executed. BTW- in the shot when dozens of them storm an oliphaunt, did any one else think of the flesh eating bugs from the mummy?
The City of Minas Tirith was amazing. It's hard to believe that that's a miniature and CGI. Especialy the top most level, with the tree and the garden and the amazing view. It's amazing it only cost $300 million.
I actually found the battle not as impressive as I thought I would- after Helm's Deap, which may have only been a preview, but we see a lot of the same things over again. It was amazing and exhlirating, but not as awe inspiring as I would've hoped for.
Howard Shore's score was fantastic- I think my absolute favorite themes as used in the movie is the gondor theme. But still- 'The braking of the Fellowship' from LoTR is my favorite cue from the movies. I can't wait for the 10 CD set of the music from the movies!
All in all-
I found I liked the first half more than the second, which I think says something very good about the movie. In an epic, I found the set up more interesting than the epic battle itself.
I wouldn't call the movie one of the best ever made- but I definatly would call the trilogy as a whole one of the best movies ever. It's the only trilogy in history that is better than the best movie in it. I still like the Godfather more- but it's weighed down by it's equels. The Lord of The Rings saga is as complete as it gets, and is also the most amazing technical achivement in the history of film.
Six years ago, when I saw 'Forgotten Silver', 'The Frighteners' and 'Heavenly Creatures'- I could never have dreamed that I'd be saying what I am about Peter Jackson.
I think the endings prevent the movie from being my favorite of the year (which would be Master and Commander), but it is certainly the most imporatant and most memorable one, and the trilogy as a whole deserves to sweep the oscars.
If there's one award any man desreves- it's Peter Jackson for best Director.
"Veni,Vidi,vici!"
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar
(I came,I saw,I conquered!) Julius Ceasar