Perfection – Part III
Disc 1
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Lots, but I’ll keep this one brief as this is the most “part one” of all of them.
The performances are not to be overstated or understated in this trilogy. Everyone delivers the performance of a lifetime. Perhaps one of the most special is Pippin singing “the edge of night.” A sequence which encapsulates everything special about LOTR. Epic fantasy, heartbreak, carnage, good in the face of evil, all delivered with conviction. It sets everything into place for the finale to…we’ll, you’ll see.
Again, I’m noticing the 4K masters are really hurting some of the green screen shots. Flattening them out a bit more than I have ever noticed. Jumping ahead a bit but what other movies do you get trolls, giant spiders, an army of ghosts, and the battle to end all battles?!
Disc 2
That’s the thing about perfection. It’s not actually attainable, apart from Christ himself.
But that striving, that effort that comes so close, tries so hard and all but succeeds despite some minor nitpicks (moments of aged VFX, Witch King destroying Gandalf’s staff, and the awkwardly edited Aragorn shattering the necklace).
We have the most epic battle scenes put to screen and yet the most intimate battle between good and evil. And evil seems to triumph – the commentary that our total depravity cannot help but sin when faced with the ultimate temptation. It’s not here, but knowing it’s confirmed by Tolkien that Eru Illuvatar (middle earth God allegory) intervened and wills Gollum to trip – meaning mankind cannot defeat sin without God – is a marvel to behold. Has there ever been a more cathartic, complete victory? One that is bittersweet as are all the supposed endings of this film.
Character arcs reach their full potential, wholesome masculine friendship is on full display, and we have a happy ending that makes us cry? Because LOTR isn’t afraid to be real. “There are some wounds that time cannot mend.” So it is sad, yet joyful. As is life.
The film is known for its big moments, but the little ones, like after the ring is destroyed everyone cheers, but then weeps for Frodo. Or, my favorite, Pippin fearing death and Gandalf describes the afterlife to him. What a beautiful depiction of the glory of God’s heaven in fiction. As “Into The West” plays over the rolling credits, tears stream down my face. Every time.
The greatest trilogy of all time, the best film ever made. Perfectly imperfect.
5 out of every possible 5 stars
Read this review (disc 1) on Letterboxd
Read this review (disc 2) on Letterboxd
