I’ve just come back from seeing The Return Of The King for the second time.
As happened with the other films in the trilogy, the second viewing was even more enjoyable. I was able to immerse myself in the film without constantly comparing it to the book and wondering if the next scene would compare to my imaginings of Tolkien’s world.
In short, the film is pretty darn near perfect. It’s also an incredibly intense, almost physically draining, experience.
I must respectfully disagree with the naysayers who took issue with the film’s ending(s). I just love the fact that the film has a hollywood ending… but doesn’t end there.
I think the problem lies not with the film but with the expectations of the audience. It’s not often that we get to see what happens after "they lived happily after".
Speaking of the audience, they were pretty well behaved. I did feel kind of bad for the lady behind me who was practically whimpering with fear and revulsion during Shelob’s Lair.
There were a couple of guys in the audience, though, who were so pathetic as to be laughable. When the on-screen action involved two men in close physical contact, they felt the need to utter some homophobic slurs.
I didn’t notice until Jessica pointed it out to me afterwards but these two teenage males had gone to the cinema together and proceeded to sit with an empty seat between them.
It was rather sad and pathetic to see people so uncomfortable with their own bodies. And yet, after the movie, these guys would probably stand in the toilet together and empty their bladders in unison.
Apparently, this seating arrangement with the masculinity protecting empty chair isn’t an unusual occurrence but that’s the first time I’ve come across it.