Discussion of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King [Extended Edition] in Glorious 4K!

This finale is so operatic and meticulous that the occasional flaws really stand out. This film's editorial work masterfully expands on the book by integrating the scattered storylines to create powerful new echoes and parallels between our characters' movements. The violence is ratcheted up to such an abstract, visceral degree that it can only be described as "crunchy" - there is a visceral horror here that not many films successfully capture. But with those achievements, there comes a stark failing: the absence of The Scouring of the Shire and piecemeal undoing of The Grey Havens. The film seems to aggressively alter Tolkien's message about "home" and growing up, while taking pains to keep the hobbits from maturing and proving themselves. It all culminates with a strange, Frankenstein-ed rendition of the Grey Havens where Frodo's departure seems not only confusing, but - somehow - absolutely unnecessary. We break it all down with great aplomb and Cam goes on a passionate rant about ginger snaps.

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