I’m glad cooler heads prevailed. My friends…okay, make that friend…all right, imaginary friend and I were joking that the release of Return of the King was such a culmination of our hopes and expectations — after close to a thirty year wait — that there was nothing left to look forward to now. We might as well commit ritual harakiri as the credits rolled. Lucky for me, I was reminded that there was still the Extended Edition release coming up. Plus rumors of a movie version of The Hobbit. So maybe I’ll do myself in around 2006 or 2007.I just came back from the 4:00 PM showing at the Star Taylor. I feel quite drained. I don’t know whether to grin at how wonderful these last three years have been or to weep that the adventure is over and our heroes have sailed Into the West. The filmmakers completely botched Denethor and I would have easily taken seeing Saruman’s denouement over a return to Osgiliath, but in all other regards the film is jaw-droppingly good. I raise a bottled water to Peter Jackson and the amazing team of artists, craftsmen, and technical wizards he assembled. I look forward to seeing them receive many many Academy Awards in a few months. It’s been an amazing adventure.
