Just got back from "The Return of the King"

[Snellius]

I wasn't quite prepared to be so completely blown away. An unrelenting 3+ hours of Medieval Gothic fantasy that takes epic adventure to an astonishing level of grandeur and attention to detail. It's not Tolkien but Peter Jackson brings his own vision every bit as much to life. The only disturbing aspect is the underlying battle of civilization vs. barbarism. It was clear many in the audience identified it with the war against terrorism, but it was equally possible to see it as a war against the barbarians amongst us.

[grannylib]

1. That was how I saw it too...the barbarians in our midst...the BFEE and all

I went to the midnight show the first night it was out; loved it

[PFaithful]

2. Trust me...

It ain't as deep as you think.

Neither is Star Wars.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

5. How deep is deep? Movies are as deep as what you take from them.

[Shakespeare]

7. Perhaps you should look into Tolkein's source material.

Start with the Kalevala and go from there. Yes, it is rather deeper than Star Wars. :eyes:

[librechik]

3. words of wisdom:" Ignore the towers; Kill The Trolls!"

Gandalf rules--

don't you wish he had busted in on Bush when he was saying F--- Saddam, we're takin him out! and let loose with his wand like he did on the regent?

Awesome movie.

[roguevalley]

4. awesome indeed. The best books apply to any age. This one sure

does. it takes me away from the crap for three hours.
Bravo PJ and Tolkien.

By the way, his g-grandson, Royd Tolkien is in the
scene as a Gondorian ranger where Faramir is
organizing the last ditch effort for Osgiliath and
he's passing out spears. He has Viggo's wig on.

He loves all of this.

[donco6]

6. I read the books way back in grade school . . .

. . . and I must say these movie versions are excellent. Though it's impossible to capture EVERYTHING in the books on film, they really worked hard to put it all together. Stunning, really.

These are the first DVDs I've actually bought, rather than rented.

[Lorien]

14. Me too

25 years ago, and a couple of times since. Jackson's version is not Tolkien. He's far more hung up on showing monsters than on creating real characters (too many f*cking Oliphant scenes already!!) and he's colored every place in Middle Earth with the same grey paintbruch-except Hobbiton. Tedious in the extreme in a 3 hour film. The films are OK, IMO, but fell far short of greatness.

[donco6]

8. By the way, if you like fantasy . . .

Have you read The Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin? Nothing tops LOTR, but this one is far beyond anything I've read lately.

[AliceWonderland]

9. George R R Martin

is bloody brilliant. I would happily have his babies, if he needed any. Song of Ice and Fire is incredible, far beyond the average fantasy series.

[donco6]

10. I'm dying for the next one to come out.

And I can't remember anticipating a book so much.

[AliceWonderland]

11. Do you know this Martin board?

The posts there are great. Even a few spoilers, if you want them. And general support as we all sit around waiting for the next book!

link

[donco6]

12. Thanks! I'll definitely get on it eom

[NashVegas]

13. Ugliest Orcs Yet!

Weren't they? And what was up with the Elephant Man?

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. yeah, right

That's what I thought when I saw that guy too. I kept thinking it was him or the kid from MASK. :D

[DrWeird]

16. OH COME ON! It was a dead ringer for Sloth.

You know, from the other Sean Astin movie.

[NashVegas]

17. Ehhh, I Didn't See That Movie

*shrugs*

[DrWeird]

18. You didn't see "Goonies"?!

My goodness.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

19. No, it was an alien from Jackson's first 'Bad Taste'

I guess they had the mask left over and just tarted it up a little.