The movie critique portion of this review was written by my colleague Ben Belcher.
With Christmas past and a new (hopefully) better year on the horizon, I found myself returning to a beloved classic trilogy for hope. “There will come a day when the courage of men fails… But it is not this day!”
I’ve been in love with this series of films since I first saw the original theatrical version of Fellowship of the Ring over 17 years ago. This is in no small part to the amazing writings of J. R. R. Tolkien who crafted this intricate world and the loveable characters that dwell within. Characters that have been solidified into the public consciousness like Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), and of course Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and so many others.
Peter Jackson and his crew managed to do something that had never been accomplished before (and arguably hasn’t been since). They came together over the course of almost 5 years to give us one of the most beloved trilogies in movie history. These movies pioneered motion-capture (mocap), forced perspective, as well as CGI and practical effects. I could gush for pages on how amazing these movies are and why you should watch them.
If nearly 20 years of continuous popularity and a steady re-releasing of them in every possible format hasn’t gotten you on-board then maybe it’s time to have a sit down, pop in Fellowship, and ready yourself for the 11hr journey you’re about to undertake.
The Fellowship of the Ring
The first film in the trilogy is a perfect example of how to establish your world and characters. Everywhere we go is unique both in look and feel, and the characters fit perfectly into this marvelous fantasy we find them in. The hobbits of the Shire are a pleasant folk, but a sleeping greatness rests beneath their sloth. Enter our first hero: Frodo, and his close friend and gardener Sam. People say Batman and Robin are the dynamic duo, but I’ve gotta hand that title to my boys from the Shire. They are the textbook definition of loyal best friends.
The sagely wizard, Gandalf (Ian McKellen), gets the plot going quickly and sends our boys off on the adventure of 1000 lifetimes. On the way they’re attacked by evil Wraiths, goblins, orcs, and what looks like Satan himself, but they are aided by their new allies deemed: the Fellowship of the Ring. Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, and Wizard banded together with one goal, to destroy the One Ring.
Our heroes learn all too quickly that this will not be an easy or a pleasant journey, and (SPOILER ALERT) Frodo and Sam decide to go it alone while the rest of their team sets out to help them in whatever way they can.
The Two Towers
The second film introduces us right away to Gollum/Smeagol (Andy Serkis) and we see the consequences of holding onto the powerful One Ring for too long. Partially out of pity and partially, “because I have to know that he can come back,” Frodo brings the gangly creature with them in hopes he can help them find the entrance to Mordor and destroy the ring. This is definitely the slower portion of the film, but by no means is it bad. It is every bit as interesting and engaging as the other half of the story, but more subdued because of the characters involved.
As Frodo, Sam, and Gollum make their way across rocky mountain and smelly ghoulish bog, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli have set off to recover Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billie Boyd), two of the Hobbits that came with Frodo and Sam, from a horde of Urukai (Orcs) heading to the corrupt wizard Saruman’s fortress of Isengard. This is where the majority of the action takes place. Our three heroes make their way to the kingdom of Rohan where they enlist the help of the Horse Lords and their king Theoden (Bernard Hill).
This film plays to the strengths of the “A” and “B” story dynamic. Anytime things start to lull a bit with either group, the movie knows to jump over to the others. This creates a really interesting flow to the film and a really satisfying conclusion for both groups.
The Return of the King
The final film in the trilogy brings both groups’ stories to an epic conclusion. There are absolutely MASSIVE battles from an attempted siege on the stone city of Gondor, to suspenseful battles with a giant spider in a dark cave.
It feels a bit slow building up to the halfway point, but from then on buckle up. The last half of the film takes the most well-earned victory lap I’ve ever seen. Aragorn and company slay trolls and hordes of orcs, Frodo and Sam battle with Gollum on the slopes of an active volcano, and so much more.
Beyond the epic battles, this film also has more than one occasion where the waterworks are possibly getting nudged on. I still can’t make it through the boat scene at the end with Frodo and his uncle Bilbo.
Which version to watch?
If you haven’t lived under a rock for two decades, then you’re well aware that these films have extended director’s cut versions that some of us swear by as definitive. Others (who are wrong) argue that you can get just as good an experience without the extra content. I’m here to say that is just not true.
The extended versions are beloved for a reason: they somehow managed to be better than their originals. Can you get the same experience? Mostly. There is definitely gonna be some missing flavor though. Those scenes add just the right amount of character without feeling like they’re just being tacked on. By the time you get to The Return of the King, the whole movie flows better because of just a few scenes!
If you don’t have the option of watching the extended editions, absolutely go original, but if you can go extended, that’s definitely the route to take. You’re already marathoning all three movies back-to-back anyway, right? RIGHT?! Right.
Enjoy your stay in Middle Earth, my friends. It’s never long enough (extended or original). You’re definitely in for a great time.
Video Quality
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy makes its debut on 4K UHD Blu-Ray with both the Theatrical and Extended Editions of all three films housed on three separate BD-100 discs for the theatrical versions and six discs for the extended for a whopping nine-disc set. Each film has been given a new 4K restoration with a 4K scan of the original camera negative and visual effects filmouts that was supervised and approved by Peter Jackson. Lucky for fans, both versions of every single one of these films are given the 5-star treatment to deliver some of the most gorgeous moments of 4K UHD magic that we have seen before. While they are uniformly wonderful across the board, I will do my best to point out distinctive parts from each film.
The Fellowship of the Ring delivers a knockout 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation in its 2.39:1 aspect ratio in 2160p. The cinematography from Andrew Lesnie is one of the standout aspects of the film, and it is showcased better than it ever has been here. Everything looks natural from the skin tones to the colors of the clothing and the landscapes. One of the major changes with this new release is the abandonment of the green tint that was associated with the Extended Edition in the past. While the difference in color timing might rankle some fans of that version, it does not serve as a detriment to the presentation, in my opinion. From the opening moments in The Shire, you can see what a striking upgrade this 4K restoration is for the film. The clarity and detail present here is simply phenomenal, exposing details otherwise imperceptible due to the limitations of lesser formats. Certain close-up and mid-range shots are likely to make your jaw drop with how clear the picture can look. Subtle details in the production design that might blend in with the background are incredibly clear and well defined. Many elements have a greater sense of texture in this format. The High Dynamic Range is where this film really shines as it allows for more distinctive colors and vivid highlights throughout the story. Any outdoor scene is greatly improved with a visual nuance that was not as apparent previously. The brighter landscapes in the film remain stable and do not suffer from banding or blooming.
The Two Towers excels in all of the same ways as its predecessor while showcasing less in the way of more fantastical environments. Compared to The Fellowship of the Ring, the CGI in The Two Towers feels a bit more natural as the blend between the two elements feels more seamless. This is not a knock against the first film, just an appreciation for the continued advances in technology throughout the series. One of the aspects of this transfer that made me geek out the most were the improvements in the black levels and shadow detail. The epic siege at Helm’s Deep is a particular highlight of the film as the rain-soaked battle maintains a deep, inkly black appearance that does wonders for stability of image. There is so much activity happening at any one time, but the image remains uniformly clear. The Eye of Sauron absolutely wows thanks to HDR improvements that more accurately represent the vivid colors that pop off the screen every time we get a glimpse of it. A great amount of depth is gained with this transfer, both in close-up and long shots. There are no troublesome digital nuisances detected such as excessive noise reduction, sharpening or anything else.
The Return of the King wraps up the series with another wondrous presentation to match the other films. The HDR really shows what it can do with many scenes serving as some of the most visually rich of the series. You have to marvel at the screen when Gandalf heads to Minas Tirith as the combination of robust colors and solid gradients against the stone walls is too much to handle. Likewise, the streaming of the sun into Gondor’s Tower Hall makes for a very stimulating image. When things kick into action at Battle of the Pelennor Fields, you will find yourself rewinding to watch certain moments over and over. The battles in this film have so much going on from moment to moment, but the image remains stable without blurring or loss of detail. These films were tailor-made to sport major improvements on the 4K UHD format, and they do not disappoint in this respect. Fans will be extremely pleased to view these visually splendid films in the best presentation they have ever seen for them.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray set offers a slick upgrade in the form of an impressive Dolby Atmos presentation that handles the action incredibly well. This track is not just impressive because it is loud or busy, what truly impresses is the nuance that is employed in the sound design. Directionality of sound is never an issue with this film series, and dialogue is reproduced with supreme clarity. The iconic soaring score from Howard Shore fills the room in a way that never fails to stir something deep inside of you. The track offers expert level immersion into the various lands so that even the subtlest elements are represented. The Atmos presentation takes full advantage of the expanded channel allotment. Height channels greatly impress as arrows soar through the air, and the clanging of sword on sword echoes through your bones in a way that makes you feel in the thick of the action. It is not just the obvious aspects that impress; weather sounds from rain at Helm’s Deep and the brisk wind brings a fully realized world to your living room. All of the sounds are balanced well during the action sequences from the thuds of the impact to the roar from the participants. The many battles and other such kinetic moments provide an incredible amount of activity in the low end. The epic showdown in the final film allows you to marvel at the sonic assault on display. Having your overhead channels deliver the awe-inspiring score from above does an amazing job of transporting you to this world. The audio presentation is a wonderful experience from start to finish.
Special Features
There are no special features included on the discs of this set, but you can supposedly access some extras via the included digital copy. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment plans to release a Middle-Earth Ultimate Collector’s Edition next summer filled with special features, which you can learn about here.
Final Thoughts
The Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest trilogies to ever hit the silver screen. Peter Jackson put his heart and soul into these three films, and the result was a journey filled with thrilling and emotional moments carried out by characters that had a very special place in our hearts. Whether you choose to watch the theatrical editions or go full-tilt and indulge in the extended editions, you are in for an epic time. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has offered up a 4K UHD Blu-Ray with an impeccable A/V presentation that should thrill any fan of the series. If not having special features is a deal breaker, you may want to wait a little longer for the fully loaded set due out later this year. If you are just looking to own these films in the best format possible as soon as possible, you cannot go wrong here. Highly Recommended
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
