dmkw

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.