Yesterday I skipped out of work early with Jen, Gavin, Becca and Cari to head to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition. It’s an exhibit full of props, scale models, costumes, weapons, jewelry, makeup, prosthetics, and other tidbits from the three movies, as well as lots of videotaped segments describing different aspects of the films (many of which can be found on the DVD extras). Despite being a bit overpriced, it was pretty darn cool. I am amazed at how much time must have gone into making everything — from the costumes to the swords to the jewelry — so exquisite, so intricate, and so authentic.
(Sadly, cameras were not allowed, except in the lobby where there were two statues of the Argonath.)
After seeing the exhibit, and listening to the soundtracks all day today, I was of course inspired to come home and put in the first disc of Return of the King on DVD. I haven’t actually watched the extended version yet, so it’s about time I got around to it. I’m about to watch a bit of the second disc before I have to head out to meet some people for Friday night activities, but I’m sure I’ll finish the whole thing before I head to bed tonight.
Watching it again, for only the third time since the theater, I’m struck by what an absolutely incredible bit of movie-making this is; indeed, all three movies. I can’t comprehend how much effort must have gone into making them. I wasn’t even a huge Lord of the Rings fan a few years ago; I didn’t even read the books until I heard the movies were coming out and figured I should know the story going in, you know, the books being classics and all. Of course I loved them.
I think Return of the King is maybe the best movie I have ever seen. Ever.
Wow… well first off, I was also at the HMNS yesterday afternoon. I went to the IMAX and the Gold exhibit. I’m going to do the opposite of you and watch the movies before I go to the exhibit. Small world.