1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Return of the King stands at the pinnacle of the Lord of the Rings series, a crowning achievement that gathered critical acclaim and a treasure trove of Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It’s not merely the grandeur of the final battle, which is a visual spectacle in itself, but also the satisfying conclusion to a narrative arc that has been intricately woven over two preceding films. This film represents a high point not just for its narrative closure, but for its technical brilliance and emotional depth that resonates with audiences even today.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
With The Fellowship of the Ring, audiences were first introduced to Middle-earth, setting the tone for an epic series that would captivate millions. Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn, said He believes The Fellowship of the Ring is the best movie in the franchise, in part because Jackson relied less on special effects for that outing.
This initial installment established a world rich in lore and character, grounding its fantastical elements with practical effects and authentic storytelling that laid a strong foundation for what was to come.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Two Towers served as a bridge within the trilogy, connecting the journey’s beginning to its monumental end. It’s remembered for its intense and memorable battle scenes, such as Helm’s Deep. The production faced challenges, necessitating massive reshoots year after year, which speaks volumes about the commitment to crafting a film that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its siblings in terms of narrative and visual excellence.
4. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
An Unexpected Journey, while criticized for its lighter tone and introduction of high frame rate (HFR) technology, had moments that echoed the charm of The Fellowship of the Ring. The opening scene cleverly connects to its predecessor with an engaging Peter Jackson cameo. However, it’s this very connection to The Fellowship that highlights how much more this film could have achieved in terms of depth and impact.
5. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The second Hobbit film, The Desolation of Smaug, presents an adventurous spirit but is marred by pacing issues and an over-reliance on CGI. Despite these shortcomings, there’s an immersive quality to it; as one citation puts it: Filmed in 48 frames per second 3D, we feel as though we are walking into the inn right along with him – and that is the quality that best sums up the second film in The Hobbit trilogy.
Yet, this immersion can’t fully mask some repetitive action sequences and detracts from what could have been a more tightly woven tale.
6. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Landing at the bottom is The Battle of the Five Armies, which despite delivering on action and thrills, struggles with an overstretched plot and underwhelming resolutions. It’s evident that while there is much to enjoy in terms of visual spectacle, this final installment lacks the narrative strength and emotional resonance found in its predecessors within both trilogies. As such, it serves as a reminder that more isn’t always better when it comes to storytelling.
