Return of the King Review
I was going to wait until I had seen it a third time, but I did not sleep a wink, and I decided to busy myself. I've been musing and writing for more than an hour. Perhaps even more than two hours. I know that I am missing some things, so I will reflect on them after I've seen it a third time.
Like most things, I will start with the beginning. I was glad that they made Sméogal and Déogal bigger than the other Hobbits, because they are of the Stoor strand. Is it sad that I know this? The death of Déogal was very disturbing for me, and rightly so. I think it was the music during the scene. As Sméogal strangled the life out of his cousin, there was something along the lines of a heartbeat in the background. It reminded me of the pulsing sounds in Interview with the Vampire whenever they suck a victim's blood. I wish there had been a bit more banter before Sméogal killed him. I don't know why, but I missed the "birthday present" lines. There was a scene during Sméogal's transformation when he was crawling in from the sunlight and he looked rather like one of those book-to-film Dr. Seuss characters. There was something about him that resembled either the Grinch or the Cat in the Hat (Jim Carrey and Mike Meyers respectively) that just did not sit right with me. Luckily, it faded as he grew more disfigured by the Ring's power. And then when he ate the raw fish. I seriously almost puked when I saw the scales scrape off on his teeth. Even more horrifying was the gaping mouth of the catfish as it struggled to breathe out of water, but that's just the animal lover in me.
Speaking of animals, am I the only one who felt bad for the whole lot of them in this film? Most prominently is my sorrow for the horses, of course, especially when they were crushed by the Oliphaunts and lifted into the air by the winged creatures. Screw the humans, I felt bad for the animals. I pitied the Oliphaunts, for it seemed like every inch of their bodies were covered in arrow. I wondered if they were cute Oliphauntlings. It's the same way that I felt about the Cave Troll in FOTR. None of them are inherently evil. They're like dogs. They're innocent. They know not what they do (though I suspect the trolls are bit wiser than Oliphaunts), even when they're pillaging. And yet they are still caught up in the battles of those who lord over them. It's sad. But the EAGLES! I was so glad they did not leave them out. Obviously, they had to explain how the Hobbits escaped Mount Doom, but I enjoyed seeing them reap their revenge on the Fell-Beasts (*sigh* I felt a measure of pity for them, too). I loved the way that the Eagles lifted Sam and Frodo into their talons at the end - so delicately.
Veuki is right. The Hobbits were stoned out of their minds at Isengard. That LOOK on Merry's face said it all. Did anyone else catch Treebeard calling Gandalf "young master"? I thought that was a nice touch. More drinking songs from the Hobbits makes Lindsey a happy girl.
The palantir scene was awesome, and think it worked well in ROTK, even though it was supposed to have been in TTT. I could only imagine how it must have felt, but I think that captured that feeling beautifully. They never really explained Aragorn's connection with the palantir, though, and that disappointed me. Gandalf gives it to him and he uses it in the book to search for Frodo and Sam. He ends up fighting the Eye and finding out about the invasion of Gondor. Hey, the palantir was made by his ancestors. They should've given him the benefit of the doubt in the film. Poor Pippin, so distant and distraught. Merry: "Why do you always have to LOOK?" / Pippin: "I don't know. I can't help it!" He's such a child in that scene. "I won't do it again!" It tugged at my heart when those two had to part (no, I am not intentionally rhyming). Merry was nearly in tears, though he was trying to be brave for his cousin. I love when he hands Pippin the last of the Longbottom Leaf as well: "I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip."
One word: Arwen. Okay, you all knew that this was coming. Let me explain in further detail. Arwen's biggest role in the books took place in ROTK (and if you have read them, you will know that it is a small part indeed), so I was not so concerned about extras scenes with her in this film. I did appreciate seeing her at the coronation, especially with the flower petals floating in the air, because it was exactly how I had imagined it in the book. With big-budget movies like these, it is almost inevitable that there has to be a love story. What I did not like was the dramatic "I'm fading without Aragorn" crap. I do not doubt that her role in Aragorn's life is important, and it was nice to see a cute little kid that resembled Liv and Viggo (though I thought the premonition itself was a bit silly), but for the last time: this story is not about Aragorn and Arwen's relationship! Of course, I will always be biased against movie!Arwen for the following reasons: A) She stole Glorfindel's role AND his horse, and B) She is apparently Elrond's only child. WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY TWINS???
I was pleased to see the return of Figwit, though it was entirely unexpected. I wasn't sure if it was him at first, but I could tell by the huge eyes and flaring nostrils. Quite lovely. He even has a line: "Lady Arwen, we cannot delay" (or something along those lines). On a side note, did you know that they actually credit him on IMDB as "Elf Figwit" for FOTR? I thought it was just a fanon thing. Maybe it still is, and IMDB just caught on. For ROTK, he is credited as "Elf Escort".
Speaking of Elves, I could have sworn that I saw Glorfindel. He was either leading the procession of Elves (including Arwen) to the Grey Havens, or he was near Elrond at the end during the coronation. Does anyone else suspect that these Elves might be my beloved Glorfy? And how about the two Elves that were forging the Shards of Narsil. They looked strikingly similar, and I could not help but wonder if they were Elladan and Elrohir. Of course, none of these actors were up to par physically with what I imagine the boys looking like, and they were not even credited in the movie, but still I wonder.
I don't think they did Denethor much justice in the film. He was never really a favorite character of mine to begin with, but I think they were so caught up in the movie characterization of Faramir, they made him look like more of an ass than was necessary. I was a bit grossed out by the way he was eating while Pippin sang, but I guess that was the point. The near death of Faramir was a very important scene for me, but I thought it was a bit cruel how Gandalf shoved Denethor onto the pyre. It was like they wanted you to cheer, they'd turned him into such a bastard. Then he jumped off the cliff. What? I don't remember that in the book, but that's just me being a psycho LOTR book critic.
"The Steward of Gondor" song/scene was amazing, and I think most everyone agrees with me on this one. I definitely felt the tears welling, especially when Pippin let his spill. I can't help but laugh whenever I think of him singing now, though. My brother always said that Pippin looked like he belonged in a British hair metal band. After watching him sing in ROTK, he said, "I told you that Pippin was a singer!"
The lighting of the beacons was so cool. I was gushing about that all night. I can't really explain why, it just was.
THOSE KIDS WERE IN THIS MOVIE, TOO! I hate when people insert their children as extras in films, especially when they're so recognizable. Granted, they were cute as Hobbit children with their huge eyes, but it was just plain annoying to see them in the Glittering Caves in TTT and again in Minas Tirith in ROTK.
I don't know why, but I was glad that they kept the scene where the Orcs were catapulting the soldiers' heads into Minas Tirith. I know that sounds cruel of me, but it was a scene that I remember particularly well from the book, and it was exactly how I had imagined it. Sometimes there are scenes that stick with you years after reading a story, and that was one of them.
I will not comment on Aragorn's rejection of Éowyn, because I think they blew her interest way out of proportion to begin with.
I love when Éowyn swept Merry onto her horse and he said, "My lady!" In the book, Merry didn't know that she was Éowyn. He thought she was Dernhelm, and while I would have liked to see more of that, I'm not complaining.
The Paths of the Dead. Fucking brilliant. I can't imagine it having been done any better. I loved the Dead Men. They were everything I could have hoped for. When the lot of them swarmed over Minas Tirith, I was breathtaken. And when they took down the Oliphaunt in the distance, that was just too cool. At some points, however, I kept thinking of Pirates of the Caribbean. Dead pirate skeletons with fancy robes, weapons, and a green glow.
Legolas slaying the Oliphaunt was just GUH! I know it was just a ploy from Peter Jackson to give Legolas more character (smooth action + one liners = character), but it floored me nonetheless. I must admit, though, I already knew it was going to happen. I tried to steer clear of movie spoilers as much as possible, but that one slipped into my consciousness somehow. It was all I could think about for awhile, and I was really pissed off at myself for reading something that began with "SPOILER", but the scene was not ruined for me. I still think Legolas is Captain Obvious. "The horses are restless, the men are quiet." Yes, we know that, Legolas...can we move on now? Or how about this one: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut." *insert brooding expression* King of the Dead: "Hey, that's my line!"
I will not cease to express my Aragorn/Legolas OTP love. When the troll came at Aragorn during the Battle of Pelennor Fields, you just saw it in Legolas' face. Arwen? Who's she?
Shelob. What the fuck was that? Shelob is supposed to be a deadly but intelligent creature, sort of like Aragog in Chamber of Secrets. She was little more than a B-movie monster in this film. My parents and I were complaining about this afterward. We wanted Shelob to talk like she did in ROTK. Granted that may have looked horrible on film, but I did not like that she was reduced to this...mindless beast. Visually she looked great, though. When she started wrapping Frodo up in her web, I had goosebumps. There was something about it that was more chilling than her more vicious attacks. Nice disgusting touch when she stabbed Frodo and foam spilled from his lips. I wasn't expecting that, but it was great.
Oh god, did I cry when Sam and Frodo stumbled up the side of Mount Doom. Sam trying to give his master some last bits of hope, and Frodo tearing it all apart and throwing it in our faces and making us sob. "I don't remember the Shire...or the touch of grass." Yes, I was weeping. Anthony (sister's fiancé) thought it was stupid when Sam said, "I can't carry the Ring, Mr. Frodo, but I can carry you!" How DARE he? I thought that was wonderful. It was so very Samwise.
Frodo standing above the fires of Mount Doom. No, no...you have NO idea. I know I keep saying this, but that was exactly how I imagined it. That might be because I had already seen it in the cartoon version of ROTK, but nonetheless, it was just how I wanted it to be. Gollum on top of the invisible Frodo was a bit stupid, and I argued with my dad over this for quite awhile. He looked like he was riding a mechanical bull. I realize that they couldn't have done it any other way, because Frodo had to be invisible, but...still. They made up for it when Gollum bit off Frodo's finger, though. Excellent. Much spurting of blood. Was expecting Glen Yarbrough (sp?) to start singing "Frodo of the Nine Fingers", but who really wants to listen to him? *opens up mp3* I was afraid that they were going to do something dramatic like have Gollum suddenly revert to Sméogal and cry, "Master!" as he fell to his death, but he was smiling. This made it a lot easier for me to except his death, because they made Sméogal so damn cute in TTT. My brother thinks that Gollum should have melted when he hit the lava, but I think the look on his face when he lost hold of the Ring was much more profound.
When Merry and Pippin entered Frodo's room in the Houses of Healing and leaped into his bed, followed shortly after by Gimli, did anyone expect Gimli to do the same? He looked so feisty and exhilarated in that scene, I kept thinking he was going to follow suit, armor and all. It would have been quite hilarious. Then Legolas entered and looked so smug and princely in his new tunic, then Aragorn. Anthony (sister's fiancé) thought that the Fellowship was going by way of height until Sam showed up at the end of the line. We all know that Viggo is taller than Orlando.
I loved the coronation scene. I got goosebumps when Aragorn said, "My friends, you bow to no one" and the entire crowd drops to their knees. I suspected this was a tribute to the "Praise the halflings!" song from the book. Of course, I was also very distraught during this scene. Disagree with me if you want, but Legolas was SO going to kiss Aragorn. I nearly died, the tension was that thick. Legolas in his tunic and tiara (looking more like a Lórien prince than a Mirkwood prince, but who cares?) made me wet. Okay, not really...but he did make me rather tingly. I think Aragorn was taking hair tips from Legolas in ROTK. All of the sudden, his hair was swept back and you could just tell that it was an Elven influence, even if it was hopelessly greasy.
Sam and Rosie. I'd been waiting for that moment for years. They are perfect together, even if I think there was something going on between Sam and Frodo. The end of the film just tore me in two. It was one thing after another. Frodo bade farewell to his friends and I just annihilated my kleenex. Seriously. I dare you to watch that scene and not get weepy. Even my brother cried, and he says that he has never cried in a movie before. I was glad to see Bilbo again, old and withered, though he reminded me of my grandma and that made me really sad. Oh! And I don't mean to be a stickler for book canon, but Celeborn did not depart to the Undying Lands with Galadriel. If he left at all, it was at a later date.
During the credits, there were beautiful sketches of the characters. I loved them. They even had Boromir, and Sméogal before he became Gollum. *cue crying*
Quotes and scenes that made me cry:
Frodo rejecting Sam and telling him to go home.
Faramir: "If I should return, think better of me, Father." All right, I didn't really cry during this scene, but I nearly did!
Pippin's song, of course.
Theoden's death scene. "My body is broken..." and the cry that escapes from Éowyn when he finally passes. Who didn't tear up during that?
Sam and Frodo's trek up Mount Doom which I mentioned earlier.
When the Hobbits are on the rock, awaiting death... Sam: "Rosie Cottin dancing. She had ribbons in her hair. If ever I were to marry someone, it would've been her. It would've been her." Then they embrace and I break down in tears.
Frodo's departure. Enough said.
Moments that were particularly special for me:
Gimli: "I never thought I'd die side-by-side with an Elf." / Legolas: "What about side-by-side with a friend?" / Gimli: "Aye. I could do that."
Éowyn stabbing the Witch-king through his face (or lack thereof). Hell, I wrote an essay on that scene for Feminisms! I still think it was a bit anti-climactic, though. shh
Aragorn: "My friends, you bow to no one."
Merry: "Are you going to leave me?" / Pippin: "No, Merry. I'm going to take care of you." This was important for me because it showed that Pippin had matured. He is really a lot more childlike in the films than he is in the books, and through ROTK, he truly becomes an adult.
Scenes that I missed:
I hear that it is going to be in the Extended Edition DVD, but I was really disappointed that they did not delve into the relationship between Eowyn and Faramir. At the coronation, there were suddenly all doe-eyed towards each other, and there was no explanation.
The scouring of the Shire and the death of Saruman at the hands of his "faithful servant".
When Frodo and Sam climb up the hill in their Orc gear, I kept expecting a line of cartoon Orcs to march past singing "Where there's a whip, there's a way..."
Like most things, I will start with the beginning. I was glad that they made Sméogal and Déogal bigger than the other Hobbits, because they are of the Stoor strand. Is it sad that I know this? The death of Déogal was very disturbing for me, and rightly so. I think it was the music during the scene. As Sméogal strangled the life out of his cousin, there was something along the lines of a heartbeat in the background. It reminded me of the pulsing sounds in Interview with the Vampire whenever they suck a victim's blood. I wish there had been a bit more banter before Sméogal killed him. I don't know why, but I missed the "birthday present" lines. There was a scene during Sméogal's transformation when he was crawling in from the sunlight and he looked rather like one of those book-to-film Dr. Seuss characters. There was something about him that resembled either the Grinch or the Cat in the Hat (Jim Carrey and Mike Meyers respectively) that just did not sit right with me. Luckily, it faded as he grew more disfigured by the Ring's power. And then when he ate the raw fish. I seriously almost puked when I saw the scales scrape off on his teeth. Even more horrifying was the gaping mouth of the catfish as it struggled to breathe out of water, but that's just the animal lover in me.
Speaking of animals, am I the only one who felt bad for the whole lot of them in this film? Most prominently is my sorrow for the horses, of course, especially when they were crushed by the Oliphaunts and lifted into the air by the winged creatures. Screw the humans, I felt bad for the animals. I pitied the Oliphaunts, for it seemed like every inch of their bodies were covered in arrow. I wondered if they were cute Oliphauntlings. It's the same way that I felt about the Cave Troll in FOTR. None of them are inherently evil. They're like dogs. They're innocent. They know not what they do (though I suspect the trolls are bit wiser than Oliphaunts), even when they're pillaging. And yet they are still caught up in the battles of those who lord over them. It's sad. But the EAGLES! I was so glad they did not leave them out. Obviously, they had to explain how the Hobbits escaped Mount Doom, but I enjoyed seeing them reap their revenge on the Fell-Beasts (*sigh* I felt a measure of pity for them, too). I loved the way that the Eagles lifted Sam and Frodo into their talons at the end - so delicately.
Veuki is right. The Hobbits were stoned out of their minds at Isengard. That LOOK on Merry's face said it all. Did anyone else catch Treebeard calling Gandalf "young master"? I thought that was a nice touch. More drinking songs from the Hobbits makes Lindsey a happy girl.
The palantir scene was awesome, and think it worked well in ROTK, even though it was supposed to have been in TTT. I could only imagine how it must have felt, but I think that captured that feeling beautifully. They never really explained Aragorn's connection with the palantir, though, and that disappointed me. Gandalf gives it to him and he uses it in the book to search for Frodo and Sam. He ends up fighting the Eye and finding out about the invasion of Gondor. Hey, the palantir was made by his ancestors. They should've given him the benefit of the doubt in the film. Poor Pippin, so distant and distraught. Merry: "Why do you always have to LOOK?" / Pippin: "I don't know. I can't help it!" He's such a child in that scene. "I won't do it again!" It tugged at my heart when those two had to part (no, I am not intentionally rhyming). Merry was nearly in tears, though he was trying to be brave for his cousin. I love when he hands Pippin the last of the Longbottom Leaf as well: "I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip."
One word: Arwen. Okay, you all knew that this was coming. Let me explain in further detail. Arwen's biggest role in the books took place in ROTK (and if you have read them, you will know that it is a small part indeed), so I was not so concerned about extras scenes with her in this film. I did appreciate seeing her at the coronation, especially with the flower petals floating in the air, because it was exactly how I had imagined it in the book. With big-budget movies like these, it is almost inevitable that there has to be a love story. What I did not like was the dramatic "I'm fading without Aragorn" crap. I do not doubt that her role in Aragorn's life is important, and it was nice to see a cute little kid that resembled Liv and Viggo (though I thought the premonition itself was a bit silly), but for the last time: this story is not about Aragorn and Arwen's relationship! Of course, I will always be biased against movie!Arwen for the following reasons: A) She stole Glorfindel's role AND his horse, and B) She is apparently Elrond's only child. WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY TWINS???
I was pleased to see the return of Figwit, though it was entirely unexpected. I wasn't sure if it was him at first, but I could tell by the huge eyes and flaring nostrils. Quite lovely. He even has a line: "Lady Arwen, we cannot delay" (or something along those lines). On a side note, did you know that they actually credit him on IMDB as "Elf Figwit" for FOTR? I thought it was just a fanon thing. Maybe it still is, and IMDB just caught on. For ROTK, he is credited as "Elf Escort".
Speaking of Elves, I could have sworn that I saw Glorfindel. He was either leading the procession of Elves (including Arwen) to the Grey Havens, or he was near Elrond at the end during the coronation. Does anyone else suspect that these Elves might be my beloved Glorfy? And how about the two Elves that were forging the Shards of Narsil. They looked strikingly similar, and I could not help but wonder if they were Elladan and Elrohir. Of course, none of these actors were up to par physically with what I imagine the boys looking like, and they were not even credited in the movie, but still I wonder.
I don't think they did Denethor much justice in the film. He was never really a favorite character of mine to begin with, but I think they were so caught up in the movie characterization of Faramir, they made him look like more of an ass than was necessary. I was a bit grossed out by the way he was eating while Pippin sang, but I guess that was the point. The near death of Faramir was a very important scene for me, but I thought it was a bit cruel how Gandalf shoved Denethor onto the pyre. It was like they wanted you to cheer, they'd turned him into such a bastard. Then he jumped off the cliff. What? I don't remember that in the book, but that's just me being a psycho LOTR book critic.
"The Steward of Gondor" song/scene was amazing, and I think most everyone agrees with me on this one. I definitely felt the tears welling, especially when Pippin let his spill. I can't help but laugh whenever I think of him singing now, though. My brother always said that Pippin looked like he belonged in a British hair metal band. After watching him sing in ROTK, he said, "I told you that Pippin was a singer!"
The lighting of the beacons was so cool. I was gushing about that all night. I can't really explain why, it just was.
THOSE KIDS WERE IN THIS MOVIE, TOO! I hate when people insert their children as extras in films, especially when they're so recognizable. Granted, they were cute as Hobbit children with their huge eyes, but it was just plain annoying to see them in the Glittering Caves in TTT and again in Minas Tirith in ROTK.
I don't know why, but I was glad that they kept the scene where the Orcs were catapulting the soldiers' heads into Minas Tirith. I know that sounds cruel of me, but it was a scene that I remember particularly well from the book, and it was exactly how I had imagined it. Sometimes there are scenes that stick with you years after reading a story, and that was one of them.
I will not comment on Aragorn's rejection of Éowyn, because I think they blew her interest way out of proportion to begin with.
I love when Éowyn swept Merry onto her horse and he said, "My lady!" In the book, Merry didn't know that she was Éowyn. He thought she was Dernhelm, and while I would have liked to see more of that, I'm not complaining.
The Paths of the Dead. Fucking brilliant. I can't imagine it having been done any better. I loved the Dead Men. They were everything I could have hoped for. When the lot of them swarmed over Minas Tirith, I was breathtaken. And when they took down the Oliphaunt in the distance, that was just too cool. At some points, however, I kept thinking of Pirates of the Caribbean. Dead pirate skeletons with fancy robes, weapons, and a green glow.
Legolas slaying the Oliphaunt was just GUH! I know it was just a ploy from Peter Jackson to give Legolas more character (smooth action + one liners = character), but it floored me nonetheless. I must admit, though, I already knew it was going to happen. I tried to steer clear of movie spoilers as much as possible, but that one slipped into my consciousness somehow. It was all I could think about for awhile, and I was really pissed off at myself for reading something that began with "SPOILER", but the scene was not ruined for me. I still think Legolas is Captain Obvious. "The horses are restless, the men are quiet." Yes, we know that, Legolas...can we move on now? Or how about this one: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut." *insert brooding expression* King of the Dead: "Hey, that's my line!"
I will not cease to express my Aragorn/Legolas OTP love. When the troll came at Aragorn during the Battle of Pelennor Fields, you just saw it in Legolas' face. Arwen? Who's she?
Shelob. What the fuck was that? Shelob is supposed to be a deadly but intelligent creature, sort of like Aragog in Chamber of Secrets. She was little more than a B-movie monster in this film. My parents and I were complaining about this afterward. We wanted Shelob to talk like she did in ROTK. Granted that may have looked horrible on film, but I did not like that she was reduced to this...mindless beast. Visually she looked great, though. When she started wrapping Frodo up in her web, I had goosebumps. There was something about it that was more chilling than her more vicious attacks. Nice disgusting touch when she stabbed Frodo and foam spilled from his lips. I wasn't expecting that, but it was great.
Oh god, did I cry when Sam and Frodo stumbled up the side of Mount Doom. Sam trying to give his master some last bits of hope, and Frodo tearing it all apart and throwing it in our faces and making us sob. "I don't remember the Shire...or the touch of grass." Yes, I was weeping. Anthony (sister's fiancé) thought it was stupid when Sam said, "I can't carry the Ring, Mr. Frodo, but I can carry you!" How DARE he? I thought that was wonderful. It was so very Samwise.
Frodo standing above the fires of Mount Doom. No, no...you have NO idea. I know I keep saying this, but that was exactly how I imagined it. That might be because I had already seen it in the cartoon version of ROTK, but nonetheless, it was just how I wanted it to be. Gollum on top of the invisible Frodo was a bit stupid, and I argued with my dad over this for quite awhile. He looked like he was riding a mechanical bull. I realize that they couldn't have done it any other way, because Frodo had to be invisible, but...still. They made up for it when Gollum bit off Frodo's finger, though. Excellent. Much spurting of blood. Was expecting Glen Yarbrough (sp?) to start singing "Frodo of the Nine Fingers", but who really wants to listen to him? *opens up mp3* I was afraid that they were going to do something dramatic like have Gollum suddenly revert to Sméogal and cry, "Master!" as he fell to his death, but he was smiling. This made it a lot easier for me to except his death, because they made Sméogal so damn cute in TTT. My brother thinks that Gollum should have melted when he hit the lava, but I think the look on his face when he lost hold of the Ring was much more profound.
When Merry and Pippin entered Frodo's room in the Houses of Healing and leaped into his bed, followed shortly after by Gimli, did anyone expect Gimli to do the same? He looked so feisty and exhilarated in that scene, I kept thinking he was going to follow suit, armor and all. It would have been quite hilarious. Then Legolas entered and looked so smug and princely in his new tunic, then Aragorn. Anthony (sister's fiancé) thought that the Fellowship was going by way of height until Sam showed up at the end of the line. We all know that Viggo is taller than Orlando.
I loved the coronation scene. I got goosebumps when Aragorn said, "My friends, you bow to no one" and the entire crowd drops to their knees. I suspected this was a tribute to the "Praise the halflings!" song from the book. Of course, I was also very distraught during this scene. Disagree with me if you want, but Legolas was SO going to kiss Aragorn. I nearly died, the tension was that thick. Legolas in his tunic and tiara (looking more like a Lórien prince than a Mirkwood prince, but who cares?) made me wet. Okay, not really...but he did make me rather tingly. I think Aragorn was taking hair tips from Legolas in ROTK. All of the sudden, his hair was swept back and you could just tell that it was an Elven influence, even if it was hopelessly greasy.
Sam and Rosie. I'd been waiting for that moment for years. They are perfect together, even if I think there was something going on between Sam and Frodo. The end of the film just tore me in two. It was one thing after another. Frodo bade farewell to his friends and I just annihilated my kleenex. Seriously. I dare you to watch that scene and not get weepy. Even my brother cried, and he says that he has never cried in a movie before. I was glad to see Bilbo again, old and withered, though he reminded me of my grandma and that made me really sad. Oh! And I don't mean to be a stickler for book canon, but Celeborn did not depart to the Undying Lands with Galadriel. If he left at all, it was at a later date.
During the credits, there were beautiful sketches of the characters. I loved them. They even had Boromir, and Sméogal before he became Gollum. *cue crying*
Quotes and scenes that made me cry:
Frodo rejecting Sam and telling him to go home.
Faramir: "If I should return, think better of me, Father." All right, I didn't really cry during this scene, but I nearly did!
Pippin's song, of course.
Theoden's death scene. "My body is broken..." and the cry that escapes from Éowyn when he finally passes. Who didn't tear up during that?
Sam and Frodo's trek up Mount Doom which I mentioned earlier.
When the Hobbits are on the rock, awaiting death... Sam: "Rosie Cottin dancing. She had ribbons in her hair. If ever I were to marry someone, it would've been her. It would've been her." Then they embrace and I break down in tears.
Frodo's departure. Enough said.
Moments that were particularly special for me:
Gimli: "I never thought I'd die side-by-side with an Elf." / Legolas: "What about side-by-side with a friend?" / Gimli: "Aye. I could do that."
Éowyn stabbing the Witch-king through his face (or lack thereof). Hell, I wrote an essay on that scene for Feminisms! I still think it was a bit anti-climactic, though. shh
Aragorn: "My friends, you bow to no one."
Merry: "Are you going to leave me?" / Pippin: "No, Merry. I'm going to take care of you." This was important for me because it showed that Pippin had matured. He is really a lot more childlike in the films than he is in the books, and through ROTK, he truly becomes an adult.
Scenes that I missed:
I hear that it is going to be in the Extended Edition DVD, but I was really disappointed that they did not delve into the relationship between Eowyn and Faramir. At the coronation, there were suddenly all doe-eyed towards each other, and there was no explanation.
The scouring of the Shire and the death of Saruman at the hands of his "faithful servant".
When Frodo and Sam climb up the hill in their Orc gear, I kept expecting a line of cartoon Orcs to march past singing "Where there's a whip, there's a way..."