"The Return of the King" turns out to be even more ambitious than its remarkable predecessor, "The Two Towers, " though it's obviously not as compact (another relative thing), what with dramatic convolutions within its several plot lines and a stupendous martial passage that manages to dwarf the battle of Helm's Deep.

WSJ: Now That's an Epic

The film opens with a Dwarf-Goblin battle and the fight between Thorin and the Goblin king, Azog.

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In one sketch, the dwarf Thorin, depicted in battle, wore a surreal helmet that appeared to be sprouting antlers.

NEWYORKER: Show The Monster

And yet, on balance, honor has been done to Tolkien, not least in the famous riddle game between Bilbo and Gollum, and some of the exploits to come dwarf-wrapping spiders, a battle of five armies, and the man who turns into a bear will surely lighten the load.

NEWYORKER: Ring Cycle