Thoughts on another Trilogy (Lord of the Rings)
Unlike the Matrix, I did not watch the three LOTR movies back to back within a 2 day span. I rewatched FOTR (4th viewing) in October, TTT (5th viewing) in December and ROTK (3rd viewing) on the 4th day of Chinese New Year. In any case, I think the LOTR trilogy would make a more cohesive viewing experienced if watched back-to-back, than the Matrix films. The quality is much more even, although the movies do stand as distinctly separate in terms of plot and theme. Viewed as a 3-Act piece, there is a logic to the structure and flow of the plot and character development, which cannot be said of the Matrix movies.
I have not read the Tolkien novels, fantasy not being a favoured reading genre, especially if the novels are set in imaginary lands. I did not watch these movies with any expectations of how faithful they would be to Tolkien's vision and narrative. I watched them as I watch most movies, for entertainment, and hopefully, for the kind of awe-inspiring experiences that are so unique to the cinematic arts. For me, the LOTR trilogy has these in ample amounts.
Most critics rank FOTR as the best of the three films, followed by ROTK and TTT bringing up the rear. Most fans favour ROTK, then FOTR and again, place TTT in last place. Unlike most, my favourite by far is TTT, with FOTR and ROTK tying for second.
The Fellowship of the Ring
This movie was tasked with the difficult undertaking of introducing not only characters, but the entire structure of Middle Earth, with its many beings, of which Man was only one. This could have meant a lot of boring exposition. There was a lot of exposition, but none of it was boring. I liked the buoyancy of the initial scenes, and the optimism that stayed with the Fellowship right till the last scenes when they were separated.
Of course, there was the marvelous cinematography as New Zealand was unfolded before our eyes in all its glory. The element of fantasy was strongest in this first film, perhaps because this was before the bloody battles necessarily took centre-stage. There was truly something woundrous in the scenes in the forests and the home of the elves.
Best of all, the movie was true to its title. There was a real sense of friendship and camaraderie amongst the Fellowship. And Sir Ian McKellan is just brilliant.
The Two Towers
My favourite of the three. On paper, this should be the most handicapped instalment. The characters split up so that there are actually three plots going on, two of which don't meet until towards the very end, and one which remains disconnected throughout. And yet, I thought it was so well paced and edited that the underlying theme of good vs evil was ever present, and it didn't feel like I was watching 3 disjointed stories. Gollum is ingeniously animated and voiced; and in many ways, the most interesting and complex of the characters. I thought the battle scenes at Helm's Deep were terrific, not just in scale but also in the brilliant pacing that made the final victory seemed all the more triumphant and inspiring.
It is a middle movie and has no real conclusion and yet it ends most satisfyingly. There is a sense of doom as Frodo and Sam gaze across the dark landscape at Mount Doom. And yet, there is that rush of hope in the wake of victory at Helm's Deep and at Saruman's Tower. We know what has happened and what is to come as we look forward to the final film. This is how you make a middle movie. The makers of Matrix Reloaded should take copious notes.
And Gandalf in this movie? Makes wizarding look cooler than being king.
The Return of the King
This is an appropriately rousing and wonderful ending to a great trilogy. It's the longest of the three movies, but it covers so much ground that there isn't room for longeur. I have my minor quibbles with Frodo's dazed, trance-like state, which started to annoy at the 1 hour point (I know this is portrayed as written in the book, and I think Elijah Woods is a fine actor, but he did make Frodo seem rather wimpy) but this is nothing against the narratives of the rest of the Fellowship, especially loyal, brave-hearted Sam.
I think it's interesting how there are many parallels between ROTK and Matrix Revolutions, besides both being the last film in a trilogy. Both have a character (Frodo, Neo) going to a remote location (Mount Doom, Machine City) with a loyal companion (Sam, Trinity) to accomplish a task. The fate of civilisation (Middle Earth, Zion) lies in the hands of this protagonist. While he is away, those he leaves behind fight great battles (Mirnas Trith, Zion) against marauding forces (Sauron's army of Orcs and other assorted uglies, the Machine's many tentacled sentinels and other assorted uglies). Both protagonists sacrifice themselves for the cause (Neo loses his life, Frodo loses himself) and accomplish the task of saving the world.
So many parallels, yet such a drastic gulf in quality between the two. Ultimately, Matrix Revolutions was an enjoyable enough action movie, rather too enamoured with its own cleverness and glitz. ROTK was a movie about the will to leave and the spirit to survive. Where Matrix Revolutions tried to be clever, ROTK succeeded in being inspired.
The scene in the end with Aragon saying "My friends, you bow to no one", and everyone bowing to the four hobbits? Has never yet failed to make me tear up. This is a story of heroes (and heroines, with Eowyn doing her share) and heroic acts. For all the razzle and dazzle of the big battle scenes, I like that it's the small acts of courage that we most remember. Merry sticking it to Sauron's right-hand man (whatever his name might be), Pippin climbing the beacon tower, Sam fighting the spider and carrying Frodo. Even with Legolas and Gimli, the scene that sticks with me is when they insisted on going with their friend Aragon into the mountains. Aragon's own finest moment was not in the battle field, but when he spoke of going to battle against the forces of Mordor, to buy Frodo and Sam more time. And Gandalf, despite all the ass-kicking, staff-wielding and military commanding, will be remembered most for his kindness to Merry and his compassion for Frodo. I tell you, Sir Ian McKellan is just the coolest.
I have not read the Tolkien novels, fantasy not being a favoured reading genre, especially if the novels are set in imaginary lands. I did not watch these movies with any expectations of how faithful they would be to Tolkien's vision and narrative. I watched them as I watch most movies, for entertainment, and hopefully, for the kind of awe-inspiring experiences that are so unique to the cinematic arts. For me, the LOTR trilogy has these in ample amounts.
Most critics rank FOTR as the best of the three films, followed by ROTK and TTT bringing up the rear. Most fans favour ROTK, then FOTR and again, place TTT in last place. Unlike most, my favourite by far is TTT, with FOTR and ROTK tying for second.
The Fellowship of the Ring
This movie was tasked with the difficult undertaking of introducing not only characters, but the entire structure of Middle Earth, with its many beings, of which Man was only one. This could have meant a lot of boring exposition. There was a lot of exposition, but none of it was boring. I liked the buoyancy of the initial scenes, and the optimism that stayed with the Fellowship right till the last scenes when they were separated.
Of course, there was the marvelous cinematography as New Zealand was unfolded before our eyes in all its glory. The element of fantasy was strongest in this first film, perhaps because this was before the bloody battles necessarily took centre-stage. There was truly something woundrous in the scenes in the forests and the home of the elves.
Best of all, the movie was true to its title. There was a real sense of friendship and camaraderie amongst the Fellowship. And Sir Ian McKellan is just brilliant.
The Two Towers
My favourite of the three. On paper, this should be the most handicapped instalment. The characters split up so that there are actually three plots going on, two of which don't meet until towards the very end, and one which remains disconnected throughout. And yet, I thought it was so well paced and edited that the underlying theme of good vs evil was ever present, and it didn't feel like I was watching 3 disjointed stories. Gollum is ingeniously animated and voiced; and in many ways, the most interesting and complex of the characters. I thought the battle scenes at Helm's Deep were terrific, not just in scale but also in the brilliant pacing that made the final victory seemed all the more triumphant and inspiring.
It is a middle movie and has no real conclusion and yet it ends most satisfyingly. There is a sense of doom as Frodo and Sam gaze across the dark landscape at Mount Doom. And yet, there is that rush of hope in the wake of victory at Helm's Deep and at Saruman's Tower. We know what has happened and what is to come as we look forward to the final film. This is how you make a middle movie. The makers of Matrix Reloaded should take copious notes.
And Gandalf in this movie? Makes wizarding look cooler than being king.
The Return of the King
This is an appropriately rousing and wonderful ending to a great trilogy. It's the longest of the three movies, but it covers so much ground that there isn't room for longeur. I have my minor quibbles with Frodo's dazed, trance-like state, which started to annoy at the 1 hour point (I know this is portrayed as written in the book, and I think Elijah Woods is a fine actor, but he did make Frodo seem rather wimpy) but this is nothing against the narratives of the rest of the Fellowship, especially loyal, brave-hearted Sam.
I think it's interesting how there are many parallels between ROTK and Matrix Revolutions, besides both being the last film in a trilogy. Both have a character (Frodo, Neo) going to a remote location (Mount Doom, Machine City) with a loyal companion (Sam, Trinity) to accomplish a task. The fate of civilisation (Middle Earth, Zion) lies in the hands of this protagonist. While he is away, those he leaves behind fight great battles (Mirnas Trith, Zion) against marauding forces (Sauron's army of Orcs and other assorted uglies, the Machine's many tentacled sentinels and other assorted uglies). Both protagonists sacrifice themselves for the cause (Neo loses his life, Frodo loses himself) and accomplish the task of saving the world.
So many parallels, yet such a drastic gulf in quality between the two. Ultimately, Matrix Revolutions was an enjoyable enough action movie, rather too enamoured with its own cleverness and glitz. ROTK was a movie about the will to leave and the spirit to survive. Where Matrix Revolutions tried to be clever, ROTK succeeded in being inspired.
The scene in the end with Aragon saying "My friends, you bow to no one", and everyone bowing to the four hobbits? Has never yet failed to make me tear up. This is a story of heroes (and heroines, with Eowyn doing her share) and heroic acts. For all the razzle and dazzle of the big battle scenes, I like that it's the small acts of courage that we most remember. Merry sticking it to Sauron's right-hand man (whatever his name might be), Pippin climbing the beacon tower, Sam fighting the spider and carrying Frodo. Even with Legolas and Gimli, the scene that sticks with me is when they insisted on going with their friend Aragon into the mountains. Aragon's own finest moment was not in the battle field, but when he spoke of going to battle against the forces of Mordor, to buy Frodo and Sam more time. And Gandalf, despite all the ass-kicking, staff-wielding and military commanding, will be remembered most for his kindness to Merry and his compassion for Frodo. I tell you, Sir Ian McKellan is just the coolest.
Labels: Movie Reviews
posted by gentleice the deptfordian at 4:13 PM
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