Fiery James
First Post
Saw it last night.
They had a special screening in Toronto last night, as part of Alliance Atlantis' 2003 holiday thanks. (They distribute New Line pictures up here).
The print arrived about a half-hour after the event was scheduled to start, and then they needed an additional 40 minutes to rewind it, but after waiting a year, what's another hour or two.
Now, I'm a sucker for those ultimate bravery scenes, like the one in Fellowship where all present are arguing at the council of Elrond, and then Frodo stands up and does his, "I will take the ring. Though I do not know the way..."
I'm probably getting soft, thanks to all the little girls in my house, but those type of moments just get me all choked up. So, I loved Fellowship for that scene and the "Buckleberry Ferry" scene, where Merry and Pippin selflessly help Frodo get out of the Shire with no questions asked. Of course, that's what the Fellowship is all about, right?
And I loved Two Towers, especially the Extended Edition, though it didn't have any *gulp*ing moments for me (the Gollum scene comes closest, 'cause you just feel for the little bugger!)
As should be obvious from the subject of the movie, Return of the King has about a million of those "ultimate bravery" moments. You know, all the stuff where one dude says, "We cannot defeat Sauron's army. There are too many of them!" and then one of the main characters does his moment where he responds, "No, we cannot defeat them. But we will fight, and meet such a glorious end!" and then I get all misty.
There's one bit that wasn't as dramatic as I'd have liked (maybe 'cause I knew what was coming), and I would have liked a scene or two of Aragorn struggling with his decisions, but I think the movie overall packs an unbelievable emotional punch. If I didn't have to maintain my cool 'cause I work with a bunch of people who like to brag about how they've fallen asleep in both movies and think the hobbits are "really gay", then I may actually have shed a tear or two at some of the speeches. Looking forward to seeing it again with my wife, who will mock me for tearing up, but only for a moment.
After the movie, it's odd, but I got really melancholy. It's like breaking up with a girlfriend -- you're happy the relationships finally over (for whatever reason), but the moment she's gone, you find yourself thinking about how lonely next Christmas will be. (OK, that's not a perfect analogy by any stretch, but I'm not feeling so well today).
It's sad to say goodbye to these movies, 'cause they've just become such a focus over the past three years, and you know that you'll never see a new Lord of the Rings movie again.
Of course, the Extended Edition will likely come out in the summer next year, so at least you'll get a brief refresher (it's like a booty call!).
Anyway, that's my non-spoiler review. A great emotional piece that caps off the trilogy nicely. Epic battles and rousing words. Sacrifice and nobility. Good stuff.
- James
They had a special screening in Toronto last night, as part of Alliance Atlantis' 2003 holiday thanks. (They distribute New Line pictures up here).
The print arrived about a half-hour after the event was scheduled to start, and then they needed an additional 40 minutes to rewind it, but after waiting a year, what's another hour or two.
Now, I'm a sucker for those ultimate bravery scenes, like the one in Fellowship where all present are arguing at the council of Elrond, and then Frodo stands up and does his, "I will take the ring. Though I do not know the way..."
I'm probably getting soft, thanks to all the little girls in my house, but those type of moments just get me all choked up. So, I loved Fellowship for that scene and the "Buckleberry Ferry" scene, where Merry and Pippin selflessly help Frodo get out of the Shire with no questions asked. Of course, that's what the Fellowship is all about, right?
And I loved Two Towers, especially the Extended Edition, though it didn't have any *gulp*ing moments for me (the Gollum scene comes closest, 'cause you just feel for the little bugger!)
As should be obvious from the subject of the movie, Return of the King has about a million of those "ultimate bravery" moments. You know, all the stuff where one dude says, "We cannot defeat Sauron's army. There are too many of them!" and then one of the main characters does his moment where he responds, "No, we cannot defeat them. But we will fight, and meet such a glorious end!" and then I get all misty.
There's one bit that wasn't as dramatic as I'd have liked (maybe 'cause I knew what was coming), and I would have liked a scene or two of Aragorn struggling with his decisions, but I think the movie overall packs an unbelievable emotional punch. If I didn't have to maintain my cool 'cause I work with a bunch of people who like to brag about how they've fallen asleep in both movies and think the hobbits are "really gay", then I may actually have shed a tear or two at some of the speeches. Looking forward to seeing it again with my wife, who will mock me for tearing up, but only for a moment.
After the movie, it's odd, but I got really melancholy. It's like breaking up with a girlfriend -- you're happy the relationships finally over (for whatever reason), but the moment she's gone, you find yourself thinking about how lonely next Christmas will be. (OK, that's not a perfect analogy by any stretch, but I'm not feeling so well today).
It's sad to say goodbye to these movies, 'cause they've just become such a focus over the past three years, and you know that you'll never see a new Lord of the Rings movie again.
Of course, the Extended Edition will likely come out in the summer next year, so at least you'll get a brief refresher (it's like a booty call!).
Anyway, that's my non-spoiler review. A great emotional piece that caps off the trilogy nicely. Epic battles and rousing words. Sacrifice and nobility. Good stuff.
- James
