Episode 102 - The Fellowship of the Ring vs. The Return of the King (w/ Joanna Robinson & David Chen) in The Canon Posted May 16, 2017 Fellowship works better as a standalone film, has better pacing, and holds up better visually (because it relies less on CGI).  I prefer TTT and RotK, however, because of the Gollum/Sméagol arc. His arc adds weight, tension, and humor to the Frodo/Sam storyline while also making the Ring's psychologically corruptive effects very tangible. The ambiguity of his intentions is refreshing in a series that can feel a little too black-and-white throughout.  Gollum essentially has a completed arc by the end of TTT and becomes unambiguously villainous throughout Return of the King, but the drama of the Frodo/Sam/Gollum scenes is still wonderful, so I have to vote for RotK.
Episode 102 - The Fellowship of the Ring vs. The Return of the King (w/ Joanna Robinson & David Chen)
in The Canon
Posted
Fellowship works better as a standalone film, has better pacing, and holds up better visually (because it relies less on CGI).
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I prefer TTT and RotK, however, because of the Gollum/Sméagol arc. His arc adds weight, tension, and humor to the Frodo/Sam storyline while also making the Ring's psychologically corruptive effects very tangible. The ambiguity of his intentions is refreshing in a series that can feel a little too black-and-white throughout.
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Gollum essentially has a completed arc by the end of TTT and becomes unambiguously villainous throughout Return of the King, but the drama of the Frodo/Sam/Gollum scenes is still wonderful, so I have to vote for RotK.