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Seriously, it is an improvement over virtually everything in the theatrical release. There's a lot more character development and "texture" added. The reservations I had from the first release (that it was so hard-driven and relentless that the story never seemed to "breathe") are gone.
There are two major changes in the new release. First of all, and more in line with Tolkien's story, the trees join in the battle at Helm's Deep, even as the Ents are attacking Isengard. Second, there's a lengthy flashback covering Boromir, Faramir, and their father Denethor, which gives further humanity to Faramir, and some justification for how he acts in the film (which is, as surely all fans know, different from the way Tolkien had him act in the book). There is also more "back-story" given about the Ents, which also gives more character time for Merry and Pippin. The character of Eowyn and her relationship with Aragorn are further developed, during which time the back-story of the Dunedin is summarized. Finally, there's about five minutes added between the final battles and the end of the film as seen in theaters, covering the trees at Helm's Deep, a comic scene with Merry and Pippin following the Ent victory, and an explanation of how Faramir got Frodo, Sam, and Gollum out of the city.
There are also many other small "character" moments added. The general effect is of a larger canvas, and much more of an ebb-and-flow of pacing, which feels more like Tolkien than the non-stop drive of the theatrical release.
My only reservation: After seeing that the extended edition of FOTR was better than the theatrical release, and seeing that the extended edition of TTT was drastically better than the theatrical release (as good as that was), my only concern is that, when I see ROTK next month, will I be able to appreciate it for what it is, or merely consider it a "first draft" for the real work which will come out on DVD late next year?
;-)
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