Few film franchises about precious rings are as beloved as “The Lord of the Rings”. Since the 2000’s, Peter Jackson’s franchise has changed the world. With its strong characters, timeless themes and awe-inspiring action, it attracted a huge fan following. Given the number of movies in the franchise, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies in a franchise that deserves to be celebrated. Each film adaptation has offered a fresh interpretation of a classic book series that deserves appreciation.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings is a fantastic fantasy franchise that formed my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that loved a series about rings causing damage. Drawn to the power of rings that were dangers, he loved a fantasy series that held a place in his heart that was precious. I remember every summer looking forward to spending time with my grandfather watching LOTR movies in the theatre. Through his love for the LOTR franchise, my grandfather inspired me to make my dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that loved a franchise about a precious ring, I adored “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”. Ever since its release in 2001, Peter Jackson’s film has stood the test of time as a commemorated fantasy classic. Jackson did an extraordinary job of adapting the first book in the beloved LOTR book series to the big-screen. The first film in the franchise is significant because it launched the long-running series. Packed with awe-inspiring action, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it is one of the greatest movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Ian McKellen, who embodied a legendary wizard. As Gandalf, McKellen did an extraordinary job of portraying a legendary literary character. For instance, the iconic “You Shall Not Pass” scene in which Gandalf battles a dragon breathing fire remains one of the greatest moments of the LOTR franchise. Despite the fact that it is almost three hours long, “The Fellowship of the Ring” is an extremely entertaining film that never loses the viewers’ attention. Ultimately, what makes “The Fellowship of the Ring” the greatest LOTR movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the importance of teamwork which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 70 years following the publication of an inspiring fantasy book about hobbits carrying a precious ring with powers that are terrifying, it’s an inspiring tribute towards a commemorated novel that gained a huge fan following motivating children to get into the habit of reading creating a legacy that’s worth celebrating.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. As far as I remember, I have always been addicted to smartphones. At an early age, I became addicted to using my smartphone without concern for the damage. As precious as the ring, my phone became an object I was always using. It became a possession without a doubt I simply couldn’t live without. Whenever my phone was taken away from me by my parents, I would always have a nervous breakdown on that day. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the terrifying consequences of addiction as powerfully as “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”. Released in 2003, Peter Jackson’s final film in the LOTR franchise did an excellent job of bringing the fantasy franchise to a satisfying conclusion. It isn’t easy to bring a beloved franchise towards a satisfying conclusion. Most franchises often start off on a high note but fail to stick the landing. Thankfully, though, “The Return of the King” managed to pull it off successfully. Packed with awe-inspiring action, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a fantastic fantasy masterpiece. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance from Elijah Wood, who proved why he’s one of the finest actors in Hollywood. In his final turn as Frodo, Wood brought vulnerability to the hero audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Frodo destroys the ring by throwing it into Mount Doom remains one of the greatest moments of the LOTR franchise. Ultimately, what makes “The Return of the King” a masterpiece is balance. Unlike previous films in the franchise, it found a strong balance between storytelling and spectacle. Amidst the breathtaking battle sequences, Peter Jackson found time for emotional character moments that made the film stand out. A breathtaking ending to a beloved fantasy franchise about precious rings that pose danger, it’s a strong reminder of a franchise that fans have grown to treasure.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Few characters in the LOTR franchise have achieved the stardom of Gollum. With his maniacal eyes, creepy expressions and obsessive personality, Gollum has always stood out as being one of the main highlights of the LOTR franchise. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with an aunt that was a huge fan of the legendary literary character. She spoke fondly about a creature addicted to dangerous rings whom she considered to be precious. Drawn to powers of the ring, my aunt found Gollum to be a character that was compelling. Gollum has played pivotal roles throughout the LOTR franchise but his greatest film where he shines brightest remains “The Two Towers”. Released in 2002, Peter Jackson’s towering sequel did an extraordinary job of introducing Gollum on the big-screen. Packed with stunning special effects, engaging storytelling and powerful performances, “The Two Towers” has stood the test of time as one of the greatest sequels ever made. At the centre of it all is a towering motion-capture performance from Andy Serkis, who created one of the most iconic characters in the LOTR franchise. Through motion-capture, Serkis successfully brought to life one of the most memorable creatures in the book series. For instance, the scene in which Gollum speaks to his alter-ego Smeagol in the reflection of water remains one of the greatest moments of the LOTR franchise. Ultimately, what makes “The Two Towers” stand out in the franchise is commemorated motion-capture effects. Andy Serkis’ groundbreaking use of motion-capture paved the way for special effects in the film industry today. The film changed the world by introducing motion-capture technology. It marked a huge breakthrough for special effects that audiences have grown to value. As precious as the ring to which Gollum is addicted, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a world-famous franchise that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences captivated which deserves to be celebrated.
4. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
When it comes to the most surprising movies in the LOTR franchise, it’s worth discussing “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”. When the news was first announced that a new movie was being produced in the LOTR franchise, I was apprehensive about how it would turn out to be. The first three films in the fantasy franchise set a high standard for the series. At a first glance, it didn’t seem as though a prequel was truly necessary. However, I was pleasantly surprised by “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”. Arriving several years after the LOTR trilogy ended, there’s no doubt that “The Hobbit” had a lot to live up to in terms of expectations. While it didn’t entirely meet my expectations, I thought the film was an unexpected surprise. Packed with breathtaking visuals, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it offered a beautiful adaptation of the beloved book. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Martin Freeman, who embodies the larger-than-life personality of a hobbit embarking on an unexpected journey. What made “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” stand out in the fantasy franchise is its callbacks to the original films. Jackson did an exceptional job of paying tribute to the original series through the return of iconic characters. For instance, the scene in which Bilbo solves riddles in the dark with Gollum is one of the most memorable moments of the franchise. Although it’s undeniably well-made, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” isn’t quite perfect. It suffers from an extended length, lacking the magic of the previous films. That being said, it is still a commendable movie worth seeing for its celebration of the fantasy series’ legacy. For all its faults, the film remains a fantastic tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved literature. As powerful as riddles Gollum solves in the dark, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated fantasy franchise with a bright spark filled with movies that have always left a lasting mark.
5. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Lord of the Rings books haven’t always been adapted perfectly on the big-screen. J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary literature has often proven challenging to adapt into movies in an authentic manner. Tolkien’s complex books filled with complicated themes have not always translated well on the big-screen. Unfortunately, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is one of the rare films in the series that doesn’t entirely work well. Released in 2013, Peter Jackson’s movie was a financial disaster that didn’t entirely please fans of the franchise. Packed with over-the-top action sequences, complicated storytelling and a bloated running-time, it’s easily the worst film in the LOTR franchise. I remember being disappointed when I first saw the film that I had deeply anticipated in the theatre. That being said, for all its faults the movie isn’t a total disaster. From a technical perspective, it’s incredibly well-made with stunning special effects that marked a huge breakthrough for the series. At the centre of it all is a spectacular performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, who embodies a dragon with fire-breathing power. The film is filled with spectacular scenes showcasing groundbreaking special effects. For instance, the scene in which Bilbo meets Smaug for the first time remains one of the greatest moments of the LOTR series. Admittedly, the film isn’t quite perfect. It lacks the magic of the previous LOTR films, and is let down by uneven pacing that drags in the middle. Nevertheless, the film still offers a powerful tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien’s books that is worth celebrating. As powerful as Bilbo’s desire to defeat a dangerous dragon facing desolation, it’s a dazzling reminder of a book series I will forever regard with affection for inspiring my lifelong writing passion.
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