Return of the King

I will side with those who felt the first half was more of the "same old, same old" and I never found myself caring about what developed before we get into the second half of the film, which, I think, you could have just used that for a film all by itself.

The first half just seems to be marking time, getting us to the point where the film needed to be to wrap things up, but it's not too compelling to watch (for me, anyhow). I actually think more could have been cut out of the first half without hurting the resolution of the film in the second half.

I give the first half 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.

The second half has a few stumbles towards the end, but overall, the second half features amazing film-making and acting performances out of all of the actors, and the special effects crew outdid themselves. Kudoes to Peter Jackson for having the tenacity to see this unwieldy project through to the very end.

I give the second half 3.75 stars, or a grade of A- (taking off a little for the ending).

Overall, I give it 3.25 stars, or a grade of B+.