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Movies / Upcoming / The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

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Reviews Counted:232

Fresh:218

Rotten:14

Average Rating:8.6/10

Consensus: A moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy.

Runtime: 4 hrs 10 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

US Box Office: $376,958,965

Synopsis: THE RETURN OF THE KING, the third and final film in Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, finds Middle-earth on the cusp of great change. Weary hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean... THE RETURN OF THE KING, the third and final film in Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, finds Middle-earth on the cusp of great change. Weary hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) venture further into the dark realm of Mordor, guided by the increasingly desperate Gollum (Andy Serkis), the two-faced former owner of the Ring that Frodo must destroy in the fires of Mount Doom. Meanwhile Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) contend with the deranged ruler Denethor (John Noble) at the once-mighty city of Minas Tirith, as Merry (Dominic Monaghan) joins Éowyn (Miranda Otto) and the Riders of Rohan to hold back the forces of Sauron. Amidst the chaos, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) must rise to his destiny, aided by Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) in assembling allies for a massive battle that will decide the fate of Middle-earth. With RETURN, Jackson brings J.R.R. Tolkien's world-renowned tale to a stunning conclusion. As with THE TWO TOWERS, the director deftly weaves various storylines together in one remarkable scene after another. Spectacular visuals complement Jackson's sharp focus on the characters and their emotional battles. While the special effects help to create huge battles and frightening creatures on a previously unseen scale, they never outshine the excellent ensemble of actors who bring the heart of the story home. A truly astounding work of filmmaking, THE RETURN OF THE KING skillfully concludes one of the greatest trilogies in cinema history. [More]

Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin

Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Miranda Otto, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Bernard Hill, John Noble, David Wenham, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Cate Blanchett, Marton Csokas, Ian Holm

Director: Peter Jackson

Director: Peter Jackson
Screenwriter: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson
Producer: Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Composer: Howard Shore
Studio: New Line Cinema

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

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161 - 180 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Peter Jackson and his armies of actors and technicians have managed to do what the Wachowski brothers and George Lucas could not: make a perfect trilogy.

Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
12/16/03
Glenn Kenny
Glenn Kenny
Premiere Magazine

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.

Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
12/16/03
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine

The second installment was better than the first, and this one is best of all.

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
12/16/03
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek

An enormously exciting, exquisite, even exhausting, cinematic experience. Definitely one of the 10 BEST of 2003 - and the film to beat at this year's Oscars!

Full Review Source: www.susangranger.com | comment Comment
12/16/03
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

As the journey comes to an end, it's hard as a movie buff to think of anything on the movie horizon that could be more exciting and well-executed than "Return of the King."

Full Review Source: Zap2it.com | comment Comment
12/16/03
Michael Szymanski
Michael Szymanski
Zap2it.com

I was more impressed by the first chapters, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, on DVD than I was in theaters .... Back in a multiplex for No. 3, I felt blitz-bombed again.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
12/16/03
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Peter Jackson's final installment in his monumental The Lord of the Rings represents that filmmaking rarity -- a third part of a trilogy that is decisively the best of the lot.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
12/16/03
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Though it will take snobs another decade or so to admit it, here lies the end of a major landmark in film history.

Full Review Source: Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) | comment Comment
12/16/03
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Even if The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers had not preceded it, Return of the King would rank among the greatest achievements of cinema.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
12/16/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Like all the other installments in the saga, The Return of the King is part of a good movie, but only mediocre on its own, full of awkward pauses and redundancies.

Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment 33 Comments
12/16/03
Stephen Whitty
Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger

A rich, layered tale of a king, a wizard and two little hobbits whose courage saved their world.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
12/16/03
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

[The] trilogy is, by any measure, a crowning moment in cinema history ... So why is the final installment, less than awesome?

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
12/16/03
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

Looking at the sum of its parts, The Lord of the Rings is probably the best trilogy ever made

Full Review Source: Movie Habit | comment Comment
12/16/03
Marty Mapes
Marty Mapes
Movie Habit

Take a moment to breathe a sigh of relief and satisfaction before this movie begins. It may be your last breath for the next three hours.

Full Review Source: Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies | comment Comment
12/16/03
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

A magical movie in every sense of the word.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
12/16/03
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune

A movie that exceeds even the most formidable expectations without straying from its singular path.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
12/16/03
Rene Rodriguez
Rene Rodriguez
Miami Herald

This film is everything a fan could want and possibly more. For three-plus hours, it entertains, enthralls and awes.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
12/16/03
Bruce Westbrook
Bruce Westbrook
Houston Chronicle

It not only stands as fantasy filmmaking on a peak of previously unscaled proportions, it now officially takes its place in the Great Hall of Movie Mythology, the place we return to again and again to share our dreams.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
12/16/03
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press

Peter Jackson had truly taken me to the place J.R.R. Tolkien created.

Full Review Source: Contra Costa Times | comment Comment
12/16/03
Mary F. Pols
Mary F. Pols
Contra Costa Times

Utterly breathtaking.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
12/16/03
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
CNN.com
 
 
161 - 180 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of...

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We showcase 20 films which have employed Pixar's pioneering software RenderMan to create some of the last two decades' most visually-impressive movies. More...

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We have an extended chat with the director of Cronos, Pan's Labyrinth and this week's Hellboy II to talk about his career past, present and future and tap him for juicy... More...

March 27, 2008: Ian McKellen Is Not Too Busy for The Hobbit
Even while The Hobbit was in legal limbo, Sir Ian McKellen wasn't shy about letting people know he wanted to reprise his role as Gandalf for the Lord of the Rings prequel(s). More...

January 14, 2008: Elijah Wood: Once a Frodo, Always a Frodo
Count Elijah Wood as one of the millions excited about the news of Peter Jackson's involvement in those planned Hobbit films -- and another member of the Lord of the Rings cast... More...

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