ROTK - First Impressions contains spoilers beware

[june.diamanti at blueyonder.co.uk]

Just been, just back.  Gobsmacked.  Here's a few incoherent thoughts.

Some details are below – protected for the worried reader by spoiler 
space.  But first some general comments on the film.

One watching will not be enough for me.  In fact, I can see me going 
4 or 5 times at least just to catch every visual and nuance.

Wise critics have called it a fantasy masterpiece.  I don't disagree 
either, but just take out the qualifying adjective.  It is a 
masterpiece, pure and simple.  Yes there will be parts of the books 
omitted that will annoy, and others will maybe not agree with 
Jackson's retelling of certain episodes.   Be that as it may – it's 
still the sort of film that all fans of the books wanted.  I spent 
most of the movie looking as stupid as you can with your mouth wide 
open in amazement.  The visuals are beyond belief.

It's a profoundly moving film too.  The cinema was pleasingly packed 
out, and I wasn't alone in finding a number of scenes tear-jerking.

The acting – as stunning as ever.  Go and see it.

SPOILERS:

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Things I particularly liked
 in no especial order of preference.

The battle scenes were even better than Two Towers.  Pelennor Fields 
is just awesome.  The special effects raise the bar yet again.

The destruction of the Witch King.

The horrible atrocity of catapulting heads into Minas Tirith.  I had 
wondered if they'd actually do this.  Personally I'm glad they did 
because it showed just what the enemy was capable of.

The enemy host issuing from Minas Morgul (which looked horribly 
spooky).

The muster of the Rohan troops.

The lighting of the war beacons along the mountains.

Shelob and Shelob's lair.  And Shelob really was horrible.

Gollum – of course.

Mordor looked absolutely hellish.

Loads of other great stuff too which will come back to me when I 
stop feeling like I've been clopped round the head.

ANYTHING I'D CHANGE?

Yes.  Put back Christopher Lee and cut down the coda at the end, 
though I know I'll get both next year when the EE DVD is released.

June