The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition) in 25 Words or Less
Nearly impossible to find fault, especially in the extended edition, though this (of the three) is the least improved by the longer cut. Grade: A
Comments
I could not disagree with you more on this. I think Return of the King was the least improved of the three movies in the extended edition. In fact, I think the third movie was the weakest of the three both in theatrical and extended editions. It shows that the final movie was the most rushed of the movies. The weakest and most erratic pacing. And, as for the extended editions, I found Fellowship was vastly improved. The story arcs of several characters were fleshed out in all the right ways and the entire movie made all the stronger for it. RotK, however, had far fewer scenes added that helped flesh out any of the characters nor the story.
Now, don't get me wrong, I think all three movies were absolutely stellar.
You know, it's entirely possible that I don't even remember the theatrical release well enough to compare them any more. I never went back to re-watch it ó don't anticipate ever going back to watch any of the theatrical versions, to be honest ó so perhaps my recollection of it are difficult to distinguish from the extended.
I think "Fellowship" is the best of these films by leaps and bounds. It bothers me more than a little bit that "Return of the King" is the one that got the Oscars (though it's easy to understand why it did).
I think "Fellowship's" relationship between its theatrical and extended cuts shine a light on the whole trilogy. I think it's the best of the films in either cut, simultaneously the most wonderfully enhanced in its extended edition and least in need of the longer cut.