The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Special Extended Edition

Review

Produced, Directed, and Written by: Peter Jackson; Produced and Written by: Fran Walsh; Produced by: Barry M. Osborne; Based on the novel by: J.R.R. Tolkien; Screenplay by: Philippa Boyens; Cinematography by: Andrew Lesnie; Costume Design by: Niall Dixon; Art Direction by: Grant Major; Music by: Howard Shore; Starring and Voice Cast: Andy Serkis, John Rhys-Davies; Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Miranda Otto, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Cate Blanchett, Sean Bean, David Wenham; Voice Cast: /Daisuke Namikawa / Hiroshi Arikawa / Kinomi Tsuboi / Yoshitada Otsuka / Shingo Tanida / Kenji Utsumi / Masataka Iizumi / Manabu Muraji / Daisuke Hirakawa / Iemasa Iemiya / Takayuki Sugo / Rikiya Koyama / Fumito Yamano -- Contents (from the "CD Journal" database)

Product Introduction

[Contents] Main Discs 1 & 2 (2 x dual-layer discs, 250-minute special edition feature) ■Video Specifications 16:9 LB Squeeze (Scope Size) ■Audio Specifications (1) Original Audio (English) / Dolby Digital 5.1ch Surround EX (2) Original Audio (English) / DTS-ES 6.1ch Discrete Surround (3) Japanese Dubbing / Dolby Digital 5.1ch Surround EX ■Subtitle Specifications (1) Japanese Subtitles (2) English Subtitles (3) Dubbing Subtitles ■Audio Commentary (1) Director & Screenwriter (Peter Jackson and 3 others) (2) Design Team (Grant Major and 8 others) (3) Production & Post-Production Team (Barry Osborne and 14 others) (4) Cast (Elijah Wood and 19 others) ■Bonus Discs 1 & 2 (2 x dual-layer discs, approximately 7 hours of new bonus footage) ●Documentaries (15) ●Concept Art (Over 2,000 pieces, some with commentary) ●Interactive Maps (2 discs) ●Short Films (2) ●Interactive Demo (1)

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This final installment in the trilogy is packed with highlights. At 3 hours and 23 minutes, it's easy to watch, and by the end, audiences will be sad to say goodbye to the series along with their "fellow travelers." As Frodo and Sam's arduous journey to dispose of the evil ring reaches its climax, the mighty army of Sauron, the Dark Lord and creator of the ring, invades Minas Tirith, the capital of the human kingdom of Gondor, intent on taking it.

The power and detail of the CG, including Gollum, who was a hot topic in Part 2 (this film begins with his past!), the creature movements, and Sauron's 200,000-strong army, are even more impressive than in the previous two films. What makes this film so great is the action, which is imbued with a sense of sadness and grandeur, conveying the folly of war. The majestic visuals are even more polished than ever. The aerial view of Minas Tirith is breathtaking!

The skillful structure, which evenly distributes the drama of each character's bonds, love, death, and parting, including Sam risking his life to save Frodo, will move you at every turn. If film is both "art" and "entertainment," I believe this film perfectly fulfills both. (Saito Hiroaki)