Review Detail
9.3 5 10
(Updated: January 21, 2014)
Overall rating
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Narrative
8.0
Enjoyment
8.0
Let me start by saying that I am not a Tolkien "purist" in terms of the movie - Some creativity is ok if it makes the adaptation better.
When the Return of the King movie first came out, I was expecting a lot from it. The theatrical cut was ok, but it had some annoyances and clearly left out some bits, so I was eagerly waiting the extended edition. Unfortunately almost all the additions in the extended version just let me down.
Feanor Edition corrects this to a major degree. All the things that annoyed me in PJ's versions are cut/changed. Visual and audio editing is excellent, save a couple of scenes where I could tell it's not "original".
This came close to being a perfect version of the movie, which I would some day still like to see. Unfortunately there is one major issue I have with this edit that takes away from my enjoyment. Still, Feanor edition is good, and I recommend to watch it.
-- SPOILERS AHEAD --
I am going to shortly describe things that caught my eye when viewing this.
1. Saruman: this is just perfect.
2. Changes to Denethor: very good.
3. Lighting of the beacons: I felt this could have been better. Now the viewer does not know what they are. I think in their first appointment, Gandalf could have asked Denethor to "call for aid from Rohan by lighting the beacons" and that would have established what the beacons are. When Denethor "lights them", the cut is kind of too quick. Also in Rohan it was cut a little too short - I would have liked to see Aragorn's line "the beacons are lit, Gondor calls for aid". And Theoden's "And Rohan will answer".
4. Drinking game, Gimli jokes etc cut out - very good.
5. Aragorn viewing the Palantir: This scene is very well made. It was so good I thought that in the original he also handled the palantir in the tent (had to check that)! Also I think what the palantir reveals to him is a very good idea...
There is just one big problem. This scene sets the biggest issue I have with this edit: No reforging of Narsil to Anduril, Aragorn just has it in the scene. I know that in the books he gets it already in Rivendell, but it just wont work even if edited in the movies, because we see him so much with the other sword throughout the trilogy. There is just no other way than Elrond (or if somenone could edit it to Elronds son) bringing it to Aragorn in ROTK (Their dialogue could be trimmed though) - it just fits so well into this movie (and in the book he gets the Flag made By Arwen, this would symbolise that). That would also mean the palantir should most likely go back where it is in the original version... It would still be great though if Aragorn would 'win' the palantir confrontation - like he does in this edit.
6. A little related to the previous, we see Arwen only in the end of the movie, I think it would be good to show her earlier too (Aragorn dreaming, reforging of the sword scene?).
7. Paths and Army of the Dead: good cut, we don't know if they join the fight or not untill Pelennor
8. Sam vs Gollum in front of Shelobs lair: Very good cuts story wise! However I could see they were "fan made" (or maybe I just remember the original it too well).
9. Gandalf vs Witch King: Excellent!
10. Denethors death: Good cuts!
11. Legolas stunts with the mumakil is out, good.
12. Eowyns fight with the Witch King... I would have liked this to be longer (He is so cool), but not a big deal.
13. The ugly orc chief does not get too much screen time - good
14. House of Healing cut out a little too short... We don't see Faramir with Eowyn (I remember they met there in the book?) - why this cut?
15. Saurons mouth at the gate: Good adaptation - No head cutting! This was an issue for me in PJ's version. I would still kind of like Gimli's line "I guess that concludes negotiations" in the end, I think it fits here. It would be great if this scene could be made like in the book, Aragorn just staring him down, but I guess there is no way.
Just an idea that popped into my mind writing this: Cut out Sauron's mouth at the gate alltogether, make him show Frodo's shirt and the confrontation between him and Aragorn inside the palantir in the scene where Aragorn is viewing the palantir!
16. The farewells still feel long, but I guess there is nothing you can do about it.
I just hope I was as skilled as Mukankakuna, or even had any skill so I could make my own "perfect" version. In the meantime, this will probably be my go to version.
When the Return of the King movie first came out, I was expecting a lot from it. The theatrical cut was ok, but it had some annoyances and clearly left out some bits, so I was eagerly waiting the extended edition. Unfortunately almost all the additions in the extended version just let me down.
Feanor Edition corrects this to a major degree. All the things that annoyed me in PJ's versions are cut/changed. Visual and audio editing is excellent, save a couple of scenes where I could tell it's not "original".
This came close to being a perfect version of the movie, which I would some day still like to see. Unfortunately there is one major issue I have with this edit that takes away from my enjoyment. Still, Feanor edition is good, and I recommend to watch it.
-- SPOILERS AHEAD --
I am going to shortly describe things that caught my eye when viewing this.
1. Saruman: this is just perfect.
2. Changes to Denethor: very good.
3. Lighting of the beacons: I felt this could have been better. Now the viewer does not know what they are. I think in their first appointment, Gandalf could have asked Denethor to "call for aid from Rohan by lighting the beacons" and that would have established what the beacons are. When Denethor "lights them", the cut is kind of too quick. Also in Rohan it was cut a little too short - I would have liked to see Aragorn's line "the beacons are lit, Gondor calls for aid". And Theoden's "And Rohan will answer".
4. Drinking game, Gimli jokes etc cut out - very good.
5. Aragorn viewing the Palantir: This scene is very well made. It was so good I thought that in the original he also handled the palantir in the tent (had to check that)! Also I think what the palantir reveals to him is a very good idea...
There is just one big problem. This scene sets the biggest issue I have with this edit: No reforging of Narsil to Anduril, Aragorn just has it in the scene. I know that in the books he gets it already in Rivendell, but it just wont work even if edited in the movies, because we see him so much with the other sword throughout the trilogy. There is just no other way than Elrond (or if somenone could edit it to Elronds son) bringing it to Aragorn in ROTK (Their dialogue could be trimmed though) - it just fits so well into this movie (and in the book he gets the Flag made By Arwen, this would symbolise that). That would also mean the palantir should most likely go back where it is in the original version... It would still be great though if Aragorn would 'win' the palantir confrontation - like he does in this edit.
6. A little related to the previous, we see Arwen only in the end of the movie, I think it would be good to show her earlier too (Aragorn dreaming, reforging of the sword scene?).
7. Paths and Army of the Dead: good cut, we don't know if they join the fight or not untill Pelennor
8. Sam vs Gollum in front of Shelobs lair: Very good cuts story wise! However I could see they were "fan made" (or maybe I just remember the original it too well).
9. Gandalf vs Witch King: Excellent!
10. Denethors death: Good cuts!
11. Legolas stunts with the mumakil is out, good.
12. Eowyns fight with the Witch King... I would have liked this to be longer (He is so cool), but not a big deal.
13. The ugly orc chief does not get too much screen time - good
14. House of Healing cut out a little too short... We don't see Faramir with Eowyn (I remember they met there in the book?) - why this cut?
15. Saurons mouth at the gate: Good adaptation - No head cutting! This was an issue for me in PJ's version. I would still kind of like Gimli's line "I guess that concludes negotiations" in the end, I think it fits here. It would be great if this scene could be made like in the book, Aragorn just staring him down, but I guess there is no way.
Just an idea that popped into my mind writing this: Cut out Sauron's mouth at the gate alltogether, make him show Frodo's shirt and the confrontation between him and Aragorn inside the palantir in the scene where Aragorn is viewing the palantir!
16. The farewells still feel long, but I guess there is nothing you can do about it.
I just hope I was as skilled as Mukankakuna, or even had any skill so I could make my own "perfect" version. In the meantime, this will probably be my go to version.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
P