Standing out amid an excellent cast is Elijah Wood, stymied by tweeness in the earlier films but here convincingly developing the character of Frodo as the embodiment of valor and self-sacrifice. Andrea Gronvall,Chicago Reader
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New review added from Rotten Tomatoes.
12/18/2003 @ 12:00 AM
Not only has Jackson boldly and faithfully brought J.R.R. Tolkien's world to life, he's created the most epic and sweeping fantasy adventure of all time. Bill Muller,Arizona Republic
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New reviews added from Rotten Tomatoes.
12/17/2003 @ 12:00 AM
Completes the picture, magnificently so, and all honour and praise are due the visionaries behind the project. Peter Howell,Toronto Star
The thrilling conclusion to what has become the film event of our time -- the definitive screen fantasy -- features more spellbinding moments, bigger battles, more emotion and more poetry than the terrific first two films in the trilogy. Roger Moore,Orlando Sentinel
A movie for our time, perhaps for all time, mostly a good time and definitely a long time. Liam Lacey,Globe and Mail
Confirms Jackson's reputation as a kinetic director who has made author J.R.R. Tolkien's work his own -- not as plagiarist but as a visionary. Lisa Kennedy,Denver Post
Return of the King is such a crowning achievement, such a visionary use of all the tools of special effects, such a pure spectacle, that it can be enjoyed even by those who have not seen the first two films. Roger Ebert,Chicago Sun-Times
The final chapter completes The Lord of the Rings series in thrilling style -- and restores faith in the idea that popular entertainment can soar to majestic heights. Andrew O'Hehir,Salon.com
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New reviews added from Rotten Tomatoes.
12/16/2003 @ 12:00 AM
The film event of the millennium. Richard Corliss,TIME Magazine
This is the best of the three Rings movies -- more than that, it makes the others look even better. David Edelstein,Slate
Insanely spectacular and never less than absorbing, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King not only fully celebrates J.R.R. Tolkien's classic literary work but fully explains Jackson's outsized obsession with bringing it to the screen. Joe Baltake,Sacramento Bee
The director and screenwriter brings unity to a somewhat unwieldy story and handles the spectacle scenes with flourish and coherence. Philip Wuntch,Dallas Morning News
The word trilogy, which was handed such a black eye by the Matrix movies, is restored to its proper dignity with Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Peter Rainer,New York Magazine