1) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
And so here we are. The top spot. The Return of the King.
Frankly, I am mistrustful of anybody who claims this is not the best J.R.R. Tolkien film. With 11 Oscars to its name, The Return of the King is not only beloved by fans and a box office triumph, it is also critically acclaimed, and for good reason. Tying together this many storylines is not an easy task to achieve (remember my complaints about The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies). Yet somehow, The Return of the King makes it look easy.
Character arcs are completed, both dramatically and emotionally. The battles are spectacular, but do not overshadow the emotions at the heart of them. For example, Eowyn facing down the Witch King is a huge moment. But part of why it works so well is that she’s trying to protect her uncle from him. Eowyn holding her dying uncle afterwards and weeping over his body hits you hard. We know not just that Eowyn is a badass warrior, we know why she fought.
It’s the same for Frodo. Take the bit after the Ring is destroyed where he turns to Sam and says, “I’m glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee. Here at the end of all things.” It’s hugely important that Frodo has destroyed the Ring. But his relationship with Sam, and the sacrifices they have made to support each other through this deeply difficult task? That matters just as much. The Return of the King understands that and makes space for it.
Achingly emotional with gorgeous photography and satisfying storytelling, The Return of the King is a masterclass in concluding a film series. It is the absolute pinnacle of Tolkien adaptations.
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