After 15 years, I finally rewatched The Lord of the Rings in its entirety. It was cathartic, it was nostalgic; it was something I haven't experienced in far too long.

The Lord of the Rings is obviously an amazing trilogy and a phenomenal achievement in filmmaking. Yet as cathartic, lengthy, and still warranted of an ending it may have, I avoided finishing Return of the King for the longest time. Sure, I had seen all 3 movies a lot when they first came out. I recall wearing those old DVDs down, replaying the tie-in video games, and waiting for the next collectible Extended Edition set to come out. I still have that Minas Tirith miniature. But after a couple years, I had trouble getting myself to the very end; perhaps I was just sad that it had to end in the first place.

I love the ending(s), it is profound, moving, and brought closure to every character and story arc, but it became a big effort to get there. Last time I had finished it, I was a sophomore in high school. It's crazy to think that is now half a lifetime ago. Back then, I was busy trying to get a girlfriend, playing Gears of War, and saving up for an iPod. I remember last watching RotK on my Xbox 360 on a small 12" rear-projection tv in my room. Simpler times.

But recently, I've been stuck at home for a week with plenty of time to myself. So, I had an urge to rewatch the whole trilogy, and I acted on that. And this time, I made it all the way through the Return of the King. It was so long since I had seen it, I had even forgotten a few sequences. It was the closest I'll ever get to watching a favorite film (or film series) for the first time again. And to say that it was emotional would be an understatement. Once the horns of the Rohirrim sounded across Pelinnor Fields and Howard Shore's score started swelling, I felt goosebumps. I felt of memories came rushing back to me. It was like I was 12 again; I was at the Wednesday night premiere at the local theater with my sister. We didn't care it was a school night, either.

And Sean Astin is the real MVP of RotK, if not the whole trilogy. From Samwise's heartbreak over being outwitted by Gollum, to carrying Frodo up Mount Doom, Astin gave it his all. But that farewell at the Grey Havens, damn that hit hard. Even after scenes like "You bow to no one" and seeing Bilbo one last time, Frodo's goodbye was the one scene I was most skittish of rewatching. But I powered through it and I am all the more happy. I doubt it will be nearly as long as I watch The Lord of the Rings Trilogy again, but I am more ready the next time it happens. As for now, I feel just like Sam when he returns home to his family,

"Well, I'm back"

Submitted October 20, 2021 at 02:39PM by riegspsych325 https://ift.tt/3vxh2Kb