It's been a turbulent and bittersweet three years with the good vs. evil "Lord of the Rings" trilogy making its way into theaters and creating a phenomenal and historic legacy that movie-goers have appreciated. Not since the first three "Star Wars" films (excluding the prequels; blah!) has there been a trilogy with such historic significance in cinema history. Director Peter Jackson has so skillfully created a trilogy that has been flawlessly taken from the pages of the legendry JRR Tolkien books and put it on the big screen for all to glimpse at the magic of JRR Tolkien's middle-Earth. JRR Tolkien is a name that has become synonymous with fantasy and literature in general and has become a pop culture facet with his books now known by millions as one hell of a trilogy of movies. "The Return of the King" manages to come out of the first two with much individuality but fits into the first two films tightly coming together as an incredible whole.

As individual movies, these are jaw-dropping ponderous magnificent stunners, and as a whole they're truly an accomplishment only Peter Jackson could have constructed. Usually known as a director of abnormal and odd films, he's manage to convert his usual style and change it for the motif required. What's ingenious and truly appreciated among Jackson's directorial outing for these films is that he wastes no time with re-capping the previous films, but instead continues the story making it pivotal that people watch all three films in its entirety. He gives no nods to the first two films and no chances to a viewer who might go into the film without seeing the first two and creates an assignment to watch them all. It's been a bittersweet movie-going experience for me as I've managed to construct a tradition watching these films every Christmas but I'm almost happy I was able to experience this truly incredible and legendry trilogy of monumental proportions.

I sat in the theater preparing for the last three and a half hour trek into Middle Earth and was not disappointed. As where usual series' run out of steam at the third film (Godfather, Alien), Jackson has not come to that road but instead creates an entirely new achievement, and "Return of the King" is indeed an achievement. Food for the eyes, for the soul, and for any fan of the series; we continue into the trek to Mount Doom to destroy the ring with Frodo, SamWise Gangee, and Gollum who intends on leading them to death to get his hands on the ring which he eagerly desires. Sam is on to Gollum's intentions and is desperate to reveal him as a traitor but Frodo refuses to abandon him, meanwhile the others have found their own paths to separate destinies within their adventure as Merry and Wyn become warriors hidden among the soldiers as the army of Rohan wages a desperate losing battle against the hordes of Orc forces under Sauron's rulership who outnumber their fire power greatly, Pippin becomes a servant and forms a friendship with Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli form a stronger bond among the battlefield, and Aragorn leads the army of Minas Trith along with undead warriors into battle against the Orc and fights his way to his fate as King.

Christopher Lee is not in the final cut of the film, which might have been a good improvement upon the film but the end product is nonetheless priceless. It's rumored that the original cut was over six hours long with the depth and story among the last chapter of "Return of the King" (which will obviously be released on the DVD with an extended versions which I will see nonetheless) but the three and half hour length is truly magical in spite of it. Revealing a truly creepy and morbid opener with the origin of Gollum who was once another hobbit among the bright-eyed folk of Rivendel but corrupted into a violent fiend by the golden ring, we see Sam and Frodo who are struggling to survive among their journey as hope for the victor over Lord Sauron quickly begins to fade; when all hope is lost good attempts to triumph and we watch a spectacle that is almost too good to be true. The special effects in the film as incredible with monsters and beings that are too well made to be fabricated. Along with the seemless special effects there are some superior and top-notch performances by the entire cast that deserves to noted. I'm officially requesting Oscar nods for: Miranda Otto, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Viggo Mortensen, and even The Ring which manages to become a character and a villain all its own throughout the course of the film, along with a best director nod from Peter Jackson, a best picture Oscar, and best special effects, and possibly Sean Astin for Best Supporting Actor.

I was introduced to "The Lord of the Rings" four years ago by my uncle and instantly gained a fascination for the trilogy that has gained a loyal and almost rabid following. The story further progresses the character emphasis who were a bit stalled in "The Two Towers" with the almost non-stop action but they're all much more intriguing and exciting. We get to see Sean Astin develop as an actor with his great portrayal of the character Samwise who is given much more to do in this film from the first two which he played sidekick and second player to many of the other actors but manages to achieve much capacity within his character which is instantly turned into a hero in one exciting sequence when he courageously takes on the killer spider who intends on having Frodo for lunch, and when he battles Orcs alone to save Frodo once again.

Viggo Mortensen who is always a very underrated actor continues his incredible portrayal as the hero Aragorn who isn't respected among his peers but is a hero nonetheless, Miranda Otto gives a great performance as Eowyn who participates in the love triangle between Aragorn and the elven princess Arwen played by Liv Tylor. Otto is excellent in this film and gives some great action scenes as she hides among the male soldiers to fight in battle alongside her father King Theodin.

Bernard Hill reprises his role as the courageous King Theodin who gives an excellent performance and plays a pivotal role in the defeat of Lord Sauron. Last but not least, Andy Serkis returns as Gollum the fiend who was ruined by the ring and his character is also much more emphasized through an origin tale in the opener where we learn much more of his life. The special effects for his character is unprecedented and seems too lifelike along with Serkis' bittersweet portrayal as Gollum.

What's so genius of his character is the interplay between Gollum and his alter-ego whom he constantly battles with; Gollum looks into a pool of water and talks, the reflection talks back almost as if it's an entirely parallel person. It's brilliant, it's genius. Much of the story is progressed to a truly exciting, breathtaking, and epic climax with a surprise ending and a revelation to one of the main characters that many audiences won't expect. Jackson's directorial skills among the lands of Middle-Earth and his approach towards the characters of Tolkien's mythology is unlike anything ever seen before with incredible battle scenes, top-notch special effects (most noted, the undead army of mountain soldiers), and his breathtaking landscapes that manage to stun. Truly, this is an achievement that should and will be praised for decades as modern audiences trilogy to remember, and Jackson's crowning achievement.

Christopher Lee perfected being a villain and made it enjoyable to hate him; with his incredible roles as his blood-soaked blood shot eyed Dracula, his scheming role as Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes, and his take as the much needed dramatic boost and sophistication as Count Dooku to the "Star Wars" prequels, it's a shame that he wasn't featured in the last film of the series. Being an avid and passionate lover of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, it's a shame his parts as Sauron's sidekick Sarumon wasn't featured. He was supposed to have one last showdown with Gandalf, a scene that would have been exciting and would have added very well to the final installment, but ultimately I, and the audience manages to come away feeling robbed of Lee's influence as villain among the spectacle. He was the bane of Gandalf's existence in "The Fellowship of the Ring", and a true presence behind the takeover of the Orc armies on the castle of Rohan in the final conflict. I say, shame on you Peter Jackson, you should have given audiences what we wanted, one final performance from the incredible actor known as Christopher Lee.

It's been a great run for all old and new fans of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This has become a film series for many to talk of, and truly a series that has made it's mark upon Cinema. This is a masterpiece of filmmaking and Jackson truly deserves an Oscar. Bravo.