Best of the three. As you can well read by my earlier reviews (Fellowship, Towers), The first of the trilogy didn't wow me, while the second half of the second did. And here now, the review of the third.

Btw, yes, I haven't read the book, which I assume must be very good because of the zealous email I've received and from comments of friends who have read it. Alas, this review concerns only the movie(s) from a non-reader standpoint.

"King" begins in small ways to make up for some of the character development left unattended in their earlier two films. But the real thunder of the production is in the build toward and execution of the battle over Minas Tirith. Tremendous thick-skinned elephants, huge waves of viscous rat-like Orcs, the shimmering chivalry of a white Gandalf on a misty white horse. And a sky full of swooping winged dragons. The characters are rendered splendidly, but it's also their choreography that makes them believable and awesome.

Surprisingly, for as amazing as these visual sequences shine, shots that include both Hobbits and larger beings fail. Hiring actual little people would have worked much better. Though four Hobbits play larger roles in this third picture, none make much of an acting impact. And that includes Elijah. He's an excellent actor, but his appearance in these pictures adds little. Peter Dinklage from THE STATION AGENT would have done a much better job. Gilliam cast midgets for Time Bandits, Cameron -- Schwarzenegger for the Terminator; directors know that physical size and shape contribute greatly to the fit of performers to their rolls in productions. I think these Hobbits were all miscast.

While the battle at Minas Tirith feels like the film's (and indeed the trilogy's) emotional climax for me, perhaps the real climax ought to have been the resolution of the ring which experienced more drag than jolt. In fact, many scenes with Frodo disappoint or draw far too long. (Save for the Spider -- that rocked.) Gollum, on the other hand, continues to be an awesome creation. His realization and integration in the production and acting are superbly entertaining. Of all the characters, he is the most rich. While the play for Frodo's trust between he and Sam might very well work in the book -- it doesn't here.

This is a long film, not to be squeezed in, but rather planned for. Eat well first, expect to finish late, best screened on a light day. Big action, amazing visuals.