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With all the
film and DVD reviews I’ve written
over the past few years, some of you might
have gotten the impression that I love movies.
And you would be correct. However, in all
my 40 years of life I have only felt truly
passionate about three. They would be “The
Fellowship of the Ring”, “The
Two Towers”, and now finally, “The
Return of the King.”
I’m not passionate about them in a
‘fan geek’ sort of way. I do
not dress up as a Hobbit, I don’t
go to conventions, you will find little
in the way of ‘Lord of the Rings’
paraphernalia around my house, and I haven’t
decorated my living room to look like the
main hall of Rohan.
The passion I feel for these films lies
deep inside. It is for the emotions the
films evoke, the earnest and heartfelt performances
of the actors, and the wondrous visual tapestry
of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world that Peter
Jackson and his talented crew have meticulously
brought to life.
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Since the Trilogy's release into theatres, there
have been two DVD sets for each. A theatrical
version, which would be followed up by Extended
Versions (usually adding upwards of an hour to
each) complete with more extra features than I
have ever seen on any DVD set. These 4-disc sets
are still THE version to have. But now New Line
Home Entertainment has done something new. They
are releasing all three films once again, only
this time each 2-disc set will have BOTH the theatrical
and extended versions included. What's gone are
the hours and hours of extra features, sort of...
Those who think they can skip these new Limited
Edition versions may have to think again if they
consider themselves LOTR completists.
What takes the place of the extra features are
feature length documentaries for each film. Filmed
by Jackson collaborator Costa Bote, each documentary
offers a very personal look at the lengthy production.
In some cases, the things we are privy to are
extremely silly, such as Peter Jackson's need
for a couch in the editing room. However, there
are also some great moments that most of us would
never be privy to. In a way, these are like well-produced
video diaries. These new DVD sets are worth it
just to have them.
Now, I know some of you will get a bit incensed
at New Line and accuse them of triple-dipping.
I'll grant you that this is a fair assessment.
After all, they could have simply packaged the
documentaries into a single set, separate from
the films and offered them that way. But there
are people like me who will forgive them and want
to own these discs just because of how much the
movies meant to them. They might not forgive the
studio for other, more mainstream movies, but
they'll forgive for LOTR. I think the only way
I can explain this phenomenon, is to get a little
personal and fill you in on just how I feel about
the films.
Having read the books when I was thirteen, I had
my doubts as to whether a film series could ever
be made that would even come close to doing justice
to what my imagination had already created. When
I heard Peter Jackson was set to direct the movies
that would make up the trilogy, I initially scoffed.
I was very familiar with his earlier films, “Bad
Taste”, “Meet the Feebles”,
and “Dead Alive.” All three films
are ludicrous in their approach, but they are
favorites of mine for being hysterically funny.
Then I remember seeing “Heavenly Creatures”
and being shocked that Jackson had directed such
a disturbingly poignant film. The attention that
was paid to that particular film gave Jackson
the opportunity to direct an American film, “The
Frighteners.” Once again, he created a film
that I appreciated for its outlandishly skewed
view of what might have been a run of the mill
ghost story.
As different as each of these films were, the
main threads that held them together were the
highly imaginative stories and the incredible
camera work. Though I really liked all of these
films, and considered Jackson to be somewhat of
an independent film genius, I had a hard time
imagining he would be able to transfer his talent
to a project with the size and scope that “The
Lord of the Rings” would have to be in order
to be successful.
As the time drew closer for the first film to
be released I started getting a little more excited
about the project. Pictures and stories started
flooding the Internet and it began to look like
Jackson was going to create a film trilogy of
epic proportions. The first thing he got right
was filming all three parts simultaneously. In
this way, each film was able to be released a
year apart so the audience’s anticipation
wouldn’t wear thin. Having to wait twelve
months was far better than waiting years.
The second thing Jackson got right was in the
casting. Throughout all three films there isn’t
a weak actor in the bunch. Most were familiar
to theatre audiences. But through the magic of
makeup, computer enhancements and most important,
sheer talent, each and every familiar face disappeared
into the character they were to become.
By the time “The Fellowship of the Ring”
was released in theatres, my anticipation was
such as I had never felt for any other film. Before
the first frame flickered in front of my eyes,
somehow I knew I was in for a theatrical experience
unlike any I had ever had, and that Jackson had
indeed succeeded.
I walked out of the theatre that first time exhausted,
fulfilled… and ready. Ready to see the next
two films, ready to buy the DVD… heck, I
was ready to buy the Complete Super Special Ultimate
20-disc Extended Cut version of all three films.
Of course all I could do was wait. But, at least
I could see “The Fellowship…”
a few more times in the theatre.
As terrific as “The Fellowship…”
was, I was even more blown away by the extended
version that was released on DVD just prior to
the opening of “The Two Towers.” Once
again quality and good sense prevailed. I’ve
seen many ‘extended versions’ of films
where the additional scenes are mostly superfluous
and really do nothing more than give the studio
marketing department something use to sell the
product. In the extended version of “The
Fellowship…”, every scene that was
added enriched the experience of watching the
film. They gave the story and the relationships
between the characters deeper meaning. Though
it would not seem possible, the additional scenes
actually made it a better film.
By the time I watched the DVD a couple of times,
I was prepared to see “The Two Towers.”
Again, it was a visual and emotional feast that
built upon the foundation the first film set up.
New characters were introduced, and it became
clear that this series would be more than just
a simple story about a couple of Hobbits on a
mission. Each character’s story was as important
as the other’s. It also pushed the limits
of WETA (the New Zealand special effects department)
to a level far beyond anything that had ever been
accomplished in Hollywood.
The introduction of Gollum as a fully realized
CG character was amazing. There was never a doubt
that this little troll like character was anything
less than real. Unfortunately, most people had
no idea that the creature’s incredible performance
was not the work of the effects department alone.
Actor Andy Serkis had just as much to do with
breathing life into the character, if not more.
I originally thought it was only Serkis’
voice and body movements that were used to create
the character. It wasn’t until the release
of the DVD that I learned all of his facial expressions
were tracked as well. What you see IS Serkis’
performance, and all the talk of him deserving
an Academy Award nomination was dead-on.
When I saw “The Two Towers” in theatres
I was in awe. Yet as great as it was, I felt that
there was something missing. I went back to see
it a couple more times, and like the first film,
walked out exhausted, but a little less fulfilled.
I needed to see more. I knew there were scenes
cut that should have been there. It wasn’t
until I saw the extended cut a few weeks ago on
DVD that I knew I was correct. Forty minutes of
additional material was added back in, and again
nothing was redundant or unnecessary. The first
viewing on DVD was like watching a whole new movie.
The pacing seemed better, and it felt more like
a stand alone film than just a bridge between
the first and last part.
The most important addition, and this is not a
spoiler, is the inclusion of some scenes that
flesed out the relationship between Boromir and
his brother Faramir. This relationship is very
important for reasons I will get into later.
Since the first two films were so incredibly good,
I wondered if Peter Jackson could actually make
a final chapter that surpassed the first two in
every way. Would this be a letdown after all we
had seen? Not a chance…..
“The Return of the King”, on its own
merit was a cinematic masterpiece unlike any other
movie committed to celluloid. It was breathtaking
to look at with its vast landscapes and armies,
yet it could be quietly personal when it came
to the characters. As the final film, it perfectly
closed every chapter opened by the first two.
I know this has turned into more of a personal
look at all three films, and less of a review
of the new DVD releases of the Trilogy, but I
felt any kind of true review would give away too
many spoilers and that I will not do. I will mention
again, however, those added scenes in “The
Two Towers” DVD. Be sure to watch this extended
cut before you see “The Return of the King.”
It’s not a must, but it will give you more
insight into the relationship between Boromir,
Faramir and their father.
Some people have suggested that “The Lord
of the Rings” Trilogy is nothing more than
an overlong and over hyped special effects extravaganza.
This could not be further from the truth. Granted,
there are other showy special effects trilogies
out there that are all flash and no substance.
For example, both “The Matrix” and
new “Star Wars” trilogies are pretty
to look at, but they are flat, emotionless and
lack any kind of passion. I still looked forward
to seeing them, but not in the same way.
“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy deserves
to be lauded as one of the most masterful film
epics ever created. It goes far beyond being just
some ‘fantasy film.’ The special effects
are unbelievable to be sure, but Peter Jackson,
along with every single person involved in the
making of the series, put their hearts and souls
into the production and it shows. I predict it
will be decades before any other film else even
comes close to this achievement.
As it is, after seeing “The Return of the
King” I couldn’t believe it was the
end. That it was over. Finished. Complete. The
film series that I wanted to see more than any
other. It fulfilled me more than any other movie
experience ever has… and there would be
no more.
A friend we met at the theatre the night first
saw it made an observation that turned the event,
exciting as it was, a little sadder. She said,
“You know, we’ve spent that last three
years in anticipation of seeing each of these
movies, what do we have to look forward to next
year?”
I thought for a long time and the only answer
I could come up with was, “The Complete
Super Special Ultimate 20-disc Extended Cut DVD
set….?”
The Fellowship of the Ring
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Sean
Astin, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving,
Bernard Hill, Sir Ian Holm, Dominic Monaghan,
Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, John Noble,
Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, David Wenham
Extras: Feature Length Documentary
The Two Towers
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Sean
Astin, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving,
Bernard Hill, Sir Ian Holm, Dominic Monaghan,
Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, John Noble,
Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, David Wenham
Extras: Feature Length Documentary
The Return of the King
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Sean
Astin, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving,
Bernard Hill, Sir Ian Holm, Dominic Monaghan,
Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, John Noble,
Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, David Wenham
Extras: Feature Length Documentary
Studio: New Line
Release Date: 8/29/2006
Region 1
Website
We'll give Lord of the Rings: Limited Editions
an A.
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