by Ethan Johnson
December 20, 2003

Naturally, this is another "must have" for our collection. The depressing thought is, I'll rush out and buy each separate installment, and in 2004 they'll come out with some monster boxed-set.

Oh, my gawd.

I preface my remarks regarding the final installment of the Lord of the Rings "trilogy" with the last thing I said in my review of LOTR: The Two Towers. (See above)

The sad truth is, I can feel the hook planted firmly in my cheek as I type this. We're buying the final DVD, only to then net ourselves the foreseen monster extendo box-set.

We're hooked, but I couldn't be happier.

Again, Peter Jackson needs to make sure that somewhere in his acceptance speech for his much deserved Oscar™ he formally casts George Lucas from the Order. Jackson got it right, and his special effects company seems to be on the money as well. For as much CGI as was used throughout this epic, there was always humanity. I surmise that Jackson could safely retire to impart these lessons onto Lucas. Or, keep churning out great cinema.

The movie was a bit slow in the going up front, but when it got going on all cylinders, oh, my gawd.

My advice, part I: Do everything in your power to see this movie on the big screen. It is so worth it.

My advice, part II: Try to avoid having a row of 10 year-olds behind you when you do. They talked, and talked, and talked. Through the entire. [Blankety-blank]. Movie.

Yes Dad, I hear you loud and clear, something about just desserts, and not knowing anyone like that from 1977 to 1982. Yeah well, that was then, this is now, and I can barely hear you up here on my high horse anyway.

And yes, I left the theatre feeling a huge sense of loss that there won't be any more installments of LOTR. Such are good things.

See it, go back and see it again, wait to own it, own it, buy more of it, repeat.

Now! <EM>