1. Return of the King - mostly flawless the whole way through and really blew my mind 2. Fellowship of the Ring - a fantastic introduction that does almost everything well, it's just a little slow towards the middle. But almost everything is just so entertaining 3. The Two Towers - Also very well done but the most forgettable IMO. I love the battle of Helm's Deep though!
Luke Thomas Merry does call him that a couple of times, it's basically his nickname (even though Pippin was already a nickname for Peregrin) Can't defend Gallum though
Totally agree. When I read the books I realized how different the movie is, but still, I'm not mad at it. They did such a good job taking out the most important parts of the books and creating the same story in a new sort of way whilst still having the same feeling, you know. It still feels like tolkien! And that way, you can read the books or watch the movies and still be surprised when you do the other one. I love these movies so damn much it's crazy!
The Lord of the Spirals hey Tom bombadil is a very important part of the story! All joking aside his job is important to show the hobbits how absolutely outclassed they are by putting them against barrow wights and only his power and authority could save them, but they and we know that powerful beings aren’t always there to hold your hand, it’s a needed wake up call for our innocence hobbits
The sheer level of detail that went into these movies is astounding, not just in terms of the plot, pacing, exposition etc, but also the sets, the costuming, the music, the fight choreography, the languages, just... everything.
WOAH WOAH WOAH!!! Let me get this perfectly straight: You comment something that is completely unrelated to the fact that I have two HAZARDOUSLY HOT girlfriends? Considering that I am the unprettiest UA-camr worldwide, it is really incredible. Yet you did not mention it at all. I am VERY disappointed, dear jakon
as someone who rewatches the lotr trilogy in a single day multiple times a year it blows my mind that there's people who Haven't seen it but i'm so glad ppl ARE getting around to watching the films!!!
I have never seen them but I want to. For someone like me, would you recommend watching the extended editions first or do you think I could get away with watching the theatrical versions first.
For me it’s when bilbo goes all Gollum on Frodo, and jus breaks down afterward like he’s so sad and ashamed over something he really had no control over
If someone wants to watch the whole trilogy in a quick time span I'd recommend watching them on three consecutive days. That way, you'll be able to appreciate each one individually without being absolutely exhausted. You will also sob yourself into oblivion towards the end and several times in between.
If you’d waited a while with Return of the King, trust me, you’d have cried your eyes out. Love this video man! I watched the theatrical trilogy with my friends in one day and I noticed we couldn’t really enjoy ROTK because we were just tired, which is a shame because I truly think it is my favourite
@@cynicalleviathan Everytime I watch the movie, I do it in like a month, watch 40 minutes every like 3 days, and then watch the last 2hs of rotk in one night. Never fails to make me cry lol
@@bigricardo7213 I'd flip it around, I think most of the book characters are super rudimentary and have really unrealistic dialogue, the movie brought more depth to them.
Bro I cry at every “end” in Return of the King especially when Aragorn says “you bow to no one” and then Frodo has to sail out of Middle Earth. Idk how you can’t but I guess I get it if you did watch it in marathon format as a first time viewer. The ending of Fellowship is also such a tear jerker with Boromir’s death speech, then Sam wading into the water. And don’t get me started on the music. Quite possibly the greatest film series ever
THE DISRESPECT TO SAMWISE THE BRAVE IN THIS VIDEO!! Although I do understand that he was too exhausted to register the very emotional beats, a la: Sam freaking CARRYING Frodo up the damn mountain 😭
I'm a whore for action sequences so I'd have to say the same. Though the Balrog was pretty freaking awesome. Imagine the battle sequences if Sauron used him for a siege of something lol
I Cannot. Believe. You just referred to him as "The Dentist from Willy Wonka" Obviously his claim to fame is Ansem the Wise from Kingdom Hearts 2, duhh
It definitely is the best one, I agree. And yes, starting with the Extended Edition isn't ideal, since the cinema versions are basically the Director Cuts.
i watched the lord of the rings having read the books and, more importantly, about J.R.R Toilken’s life and his severe P.T.S.D following serving in WWI. I feel like the most interesting way to view these films is as an analogy for PTSD.
@@njux1871 That isn't an accurate assessment. The (First half of, the second half gets left out far too often.) quote you are referring to is referring to allegory, and even then, a very specific kind that has specifically to do with Author intent--he thought authors /forcing/ their works to be an allegory (Also, he was rebuking the belief that that was what he did with The Ring and Atom Bombs) made it lesser because it forces a specific and singular interpretation of it that would get in the way of what a /reader/ could take away from it.
Basically, Tolkien hated books like Animal Farm, where it's a story with one specific meaning and interpretation with its meta-narrative. He used symbolism and analogies and so on all the fucking time, and he'd be the first person to say that his experiences with death in WW1 would absolutely impact his writings about death in his fantasy universe. He'd also be the first person to admit that his extremely devout Catholic beliefs would influence his writing too--"The Ressurection" and it's themes in the LOTR are an extremely huge element in catholic literature, but contrasted to C.S Lewis, even if you could make a superficial comparison between Gandalf and Jesus, Gandalf is still his own character, and not Jesus. In comparison, Aslan in Narnia IS Jesus, straight up. Basically, he'd be fine with viewing his books as an allegory for death and loss and even admitted that the Ring is an allegory for Power--he would disagree with saying that is the singular 'correct' interpretation or that it is limited only to WW1 specifically. (And rebuked people who tried to say the Ring was an allegory for /Nuclear/ power specifically)
@@Hifuutorian Njux isnt far off though, in the Forward to the books (at least my edition) Tolkien writes that his experience in The War did not influence the books as he already had the majority of the third book written in his head before serving. Though I do believe what he had pre-conceived may have been altered a bit by it subconsciously, as I find it hard to believe it had *no* effect.
I'd never imagine that you were watching the extended version. I did that one time and I feel the same: exausted. But it's a great trilogy. I remembered watching The Return of the King at cinema and it was one of the best experience ever. Everyone was cherring up in the battle sequels - especially because of Legolas. Forgive my english, man. I love your vídeos and your personality.
Ah, the “Lord of the... Rings?” With all of your favourite guys: Galum, Lego-uh-OrlandoBloom, Pip, the trees, and Aragon-Oragon-Aragorn? What a lovely batch of fellas.
In the helms deep battle there’s a bunch of CG guys in the army shots that have AI. Each one has its own programmed battle style, intelligence, and courage. Some of the soldiers had scores in intelligence and courage that made them assess the battle and then realize it was too much and ran away. The stupid CG soldiers were so advanced that some of them developed artificial cowardice. The effects in this movie are in another level
As amusing as the story is, that's not the entire truth. The real story is that in their first test battle, they told the soldiers to run forward until they encountered an enemy and then fight, but later on spotted a couple of them running off into the distance. On reviewing the simulation, they realised that those two in particular just happened to never run into an enemy, so never stopped to fight. Still my favourite behind the scenes story of this trilogy! :D
in case you didn’t know, the author of the books (JRR Tolkien) served in WWII, which is why his fighting scenes are so good, he still keeps the fantasy aspect while bringing in how an actual battle works. he also lost most of his childhood friends to the war, allowing him to channel his own grief into his characters; he knows about fellowship and losing those who fought by his side so he doesn’t let his characters be sucked entirely into the fantasy, he still leaves the human aspects we have so that we can feel connected and essentially grieve with them. and even when the characters come back they’re not the same and their friends still grieve.
No. Started with the etended version last december. Watched a month later the theatrical version. The extended is much better even if ,or have no clue about anything in lotr universe
I think the extended cuts are a lot better, but they have a lot of things that slow down the movie, and for someone who hasn't seen them, it can get pretty tiring
I am extremely glad you watched the extended editions, though for a first time viewing...ballsy af. I just hope the length didnt harm your enjoyment, as the extended editions are more for if you are already a fan
Things I'm surprised Karsten didn't mention: - the transfer of the protagonist role from Frodo to Sam - the Eowyn fight - the Return of the King's 5 billion bagillion endings - the architecture
My rank of the film's changes constantly, I think it honestly depends on where I'm at mentally/emotionally. I think fellowship is the nicest, though. It always just makes me feel warm. Really glad you like the movies Karsten!
When I introduced my little brother to these movies, we watched one extended edition per day for three days. I think that’s the best way to watch these
Seeing these movies when they were released, when the theaters were completely packed - man, that was some of the best times I've ever had in a movie theatre.
Big mistake watching the Extended Editions first man, they are intended for the fans of the books and fans of the theatrical releases to give extra detail and content from the books and the lore. Should've watched the theatrical releases first, especially since you're new to the story, the lore and the characters.
Hard disagree. The Extended Editions are the only way to watch them. The movie doesn't even make sense without them, there's so many major plot points you just never see. I've introduced plenty of people to this trilogy and I've only ever shown Extendeds, and basically everyone loved them. I *dont* suggest a marathon unless you've seen it already (I've done it 5 times, planning a 6th). The way I show people is watch the Fellowship and the first dvd/half of Two Towers in one day, then the rest of TT and RoTK on another day. It only takes a few hours each day and it's easy to pick back up later on.
the lord of the rings movies were nothing like i expected them to be. i watched them for the first time 2 years ago, and i was blown away by the acting, the cinematography, the settings, etc. not only are they incredibly fun to watch, but they're top tier filmmaking imo
A lot of LOTR was based on Tolkien’s experiences in WWI and it’s fascinating how he integrates it. For example, the Dead Marshes was based on Tolkien’s trauma of seeing dead bodies in water-filled craters on the battlefield
I marathoned these movies at work once (I used to drive a mini bus for 12 hour shifts, spent most of the time parked). It was fun, I just wish work was over after the movies.
I'm gonna be so pissed if you watched extended version only for first time. Not sure when that became a thing, the theatrical versions is literally why it took the world by storm
Oh shit that's what I did, I didn't think much of it because I only had the extended edition box set. Ig one day I'll eventually watch the theatrical ones
@@myleswoods8371 Better for the first watch or if you haven't read the books. Extended edition is fan service and becomes your standard if you love it that much.
I watched the extended version in december 2019 and the normal shorter version one month later. The shorter version sucks compared to the "how it should be" version. Don't even question that, just accept it and watch only the extended
I am so delighted by these reactions! One thing I will say is that while I, as an ardent supporter of the extended editions am glad you watched them, when you were talking about pacing issues, that’s something that is really only present in the extended. The theatricals are well paced, made for watching in the cinema, and flow better. (Still love the extendeds for the lore and world building)
oh my god i’ve never clicked on a video so fast. these movies are so good to me because i don’t think something like this will ever be achieved again. you have to watch the behind the scenes. my personal ranking is: ROTK, FOTR, TT
This video just made me so happy. It has the vibe of when you show your friend a movie you really like and they end up enjoying it as well. Then they tell you about things, some of which you already now while some you never really noticed or gave much thought. I just watched it with as big of a smile as in the video.
I've grown up watching the extended edition (basically six movies) without ever knowing that they were EXTENDED. Now the theatrical version just feels so short 😂
I hadn't seen any of the movies until last year, and it was a day at the theaters watching the extended editions one right after the other. Yup, it was draining. Drainingly awesome!!!
The books are so much more detailed. It’s insane. The two towers part with the ents was presented in one long chunk. Which is really really much slower than even the back and forth they used in the movie. They actually managed to present most of the important information without dragging it down too much. Tolkein was apparently like a historian or professor or something and was really interested in languages. So he actually wrote the languages in the books and movies and they are proper languages that someone can learn and communicate effectively with. It’s kind of insane. From what I understand, he wrote the story for himself and was completely shocked when people wanted to read it and wanted more and more background etc. so he wrote it all. My husband got me a trilogy of books that apparently take place in the second age of middle earth (before the hobbit) and has all sorts of background on the rings and sauron etc. I haven’t plunged into them yet. But am planning on making them a summer priority. Great review. I would have told you not to watch all 3 in one day for the first time. Especially not extended versions. There is so much to absorb. Also watching these movies with subtitles can sometimes really really help with names and understanding. :)
I think you appreciate the lulls in momentum in Two Towers once you go back for subsequent viewings. Loved the reactions. Tying up the characters at the end of the trilogy is really, REALLY rewarding once you watch again. Best trilogy in film history.
A quote I’ve been thinking about so much recently due to these last few months has been this moment from Sam in Two Towers. It's all wrong By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened. But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. These films have so many lines that just stick with you for years, and the give me so much hope.
I watched all three of these yesterday for the first time, didn't have too much trouble. But you watched the extended editions, so maybe it is a different animal.
Oh dang you watched the extended versions in one day? 😳 Yeah, I wouldn’t have recommended that. People who say watch the extended are typically huge fans of the books who can appreciate all the extra footage that was originally cut. If you’re someone who has no prior knowledge and hasn’t read the books, I always recommend watching the theatrical cut, over separate days. Your “fatigue” is understandable. It’s a lot to take in all at once, and you need some time to breathe, intellectually and emotionally. Overall though, great reaction.
Extendeds are literally the only way to watch them. There's no point in watching the Theatrical, they belong in the theatre. A marathon is tiring yeah but its SO worth it, though I would never do it with someone who hasn't seen them before. I introduce people to lotr via the Extended editions (so their soul isnt corrupt by the worse version), but stop at the end of the first disk for the Two Towers, then pick up from there preferably the day after.
OMG this is such wholesome content! Can't believe you didn't watch them (also bonus point for the extended versions!). My favorite is The Two Towers because I remember winning tickets for a pre show (like 3 days before the release date in December of 2003) and loved the Ents attacking Saruman. When Treebeard says ''the last march of the Ents'' à, it just gives me goosebumps every freaking time and I cry a little(a lot). I had such a wonderful time and it's my favorite movie trilogy. Now, The Hobbits are really not...heum...good? I don't know...I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll wait for your video!
I'd rank them exactly the same way. Fellowship is kinda perfect imo, then Return of the King, then Two Towers, but the whole story is so close to my heart I could watch these a thousand times and never get bored. I'm soooo happy and relieved that you liked these.
“It recognizes what grieving is” ITS BECAUSE THEYRE ABOUT WORLD WAR ONE!!! it made me excited to see someone acknowledging an important theme I feel like people miss out on it idk
Prof. Tolkien specifically rejected the idea that these are an allegory for WWI. However, the influence the war had on him as a person is evident though the books. If you're interested in a very indepth look into the relationship between the war and Tolkien definitely read "Tolkien and The Great War" by John Garth.
my friends have huge emotional attachments to this trilogy so they’ve tried to watch them with me all at once so i’ve seen the first one twice, the first half of the second one twice, and i still haven’t seen the third lmao
The first time I saw the trilogy it was the extended edition of each film... in a theater... in one day... and the only breaks they made where between the films which were actually just as long as the credits of the first two films. So that's how I spent around 13 hours in our local cinema.
I love Fellowship because it’s so nice. I feel nice watching it. It looks nice. It’s my favorite. I can’t really remember Two Towers because I’ve decided I won’t watch them again until I re-read the books. I like Frodo and Sam’s plot in RotK, but I’m not really into big battle sequences. HIS NAME IS PIPPIN MY DUDE.
Look forward to watching them the second time with breaks between movies, I really think Return of the King will be your favorite if you see it when you’re not exhausted.
What I love most about this video is being able to almost experience the movie for the first time all over again. I was very, very young when I watched these films. I mean, the fellowship was the first live action non kids movie I ever watched. I don't remember the wonder, I don't remember the bewilderment at certain points. This video just made me happy, I don't know how to exactly explain it. But thanks for making the content I didnt know I needed
It's 2021 and I'm here for this experience. LotR remains to be my favorite movies of all time. I marathon the extended versions every year in one weekend for at least 10 years now, and watch the movies individually multiple times throughout the year. And I love watching with fellow fans coz we get to recite all the badass speeches together :P Glad you liked them, but totally agree with your recommendation to not watch them in one day if it's your first time. It's really a lot. Personal ranking would be Two Towers, Return of the King, then Fellowship of the Ring.
I would highly recommend giving yourself a lot of time to digest all that information. Once you feel prepared, rewatch it individually again (best not to marathon it for sanity's sake). There are so many little details and nuances that make the trilogy resonate with people so deeply. All the little actions and dialogues of each character are so meticulously crafted. The payoffs at the end make everything so worthwhile. I'm not one to cry, but Sam's speeches throughout the trilogy along with Aragon's coronation (and mankind bowing to the Hobbits) get me every time. Very beautiful films with a deeply wholesome message.
Hat's off to you for completing this marathon. Glad you enjoyed them, even if it wore you out. Great films, glad to see they still stand up after the passing of time. They did a really amazing job making the world feel real, and I agree, they spent the time making the characters really matter, and time dealing with grief, multiple times, and you don't really see that done well in most franchises [often only one character really grieves for their friend and everyone else seems to just shrug it off, oh well, shit happens]. The death of Thoeden always hit hard.
Now my day is booked the whole of tomorrow my girlfriend is a big fan and I watched the first one and started the second one but other films got in the way so now is the best time to do this honestly
Glad you enjoyed helms deep so much - one of my all time favorite movie sequences. I just re-watched them with my wife for the millionth time. Very glad you also watched the extended edition!
The virgin Karsten: watches The Lord of the Rings all at once. The chad me: watches The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, all extended editions at once.
It makes me excited to see Karsten so hyped about these movies. These films comprised so much of my childhood and this video made me feel like a kid again lol
What is your LOTR rank?!!!
1) Return of the king
2) Fellowship of the ring
3)The two towers
1) Return
2) Two Towers
3) Fellowship
1. Return of the King - mostly flawless the whole way through and really blew my mind
2. Fellowship of the Ring - a fantastic introduction that does almost everything well, it's just a little slow towards the middle. But almost everything is just so entertaining
3. The Two Towers - Also very well done but the most forgettable IMO. I love the battle of Helm's Deep though!
fellowship > two towers > return of the king
Karsten Runquist did you cry at the end of the third one?
Everyone: Christopher Lee a.k.a Dracula, Saruman, Count Dooku, Lord Summerisle, ...
Karsten: The dentist from Willy Wonka
He is wonkas dad for me. Haha
He also hunter Nazis and he actually knew JRR Tolkien in real life.
You forgot Jinnah he also played Jinnah
@@raahimkamaal5363 Scaramanga, the Man with the Golden Gun.
Jonathan Eilbeck2 yup, the only one in the cast to actually meet JRR Tolkien , pretty cool
Ah yes, my favourite characters, Pip and Gallum
Luke Thomas Merry does call him that a couple of times, it's basically his nickname (even though Pippin was already a nickname for Peregrin)
Can't defend Gallum though
lmao
To be fair Pippin is called Pip a lot more in the books but he hasn’t read them so idk🤷♀️😂
PIP
Don't forget Orlando Bloom
Guys don’t worry he didn’t mention Samwise because he’s making a whole separate video about him...right Karsten...that’s what you’re doing right?
Lol.
Samwise, Gimli on the one side... Nazgul on the other...
Nary a mention.
I mean, he summarizes three four-hour movies in 12 minutes.
Kinda wasted potential for himself, IMHO, he could have made one video about every Film.
how could he not mention sam's monologue at the end of two towers😔
Sean Bean 😢
take a shot every time karsten calls pippin “pip”
Ikr im dead 😂
I won't do that
And Gollum “Gallum”
lol, though technically “Pippin” is already a nickname
Merry does call him that tho
the world building in tolkien’s books are at crazy levels and i honestly think it translated so well into the films it’s iconic
IMO the reason why it translated so well is because it focused on the only stuff that was relevant to this story
Totally agree. When I read the books I realized how different the movie is, but still, I'm not mad at it. They did such a good job taking out the most important parts of the books and creating the same story in a new sort of way whilst still having the same feeling, you know. It still feels like tolkien! And that way, you can read the books or watch the movies and still be surprised when you do the other one. I love these movies so damn much it's crazy!
And it only took 12 hours.
The Lord of the Spirals hey Tom bombadil is a very important part of the story!
All joking aside his job is important to show the hobbits how absolutely outclassed they are by putting them against barrow wights and only his power and authority could save them, but they and we know that powerful beings aren’t always there to hold your hand, it’s a needed wake up call for our innocence hobbits
The sheer level of detail that went into these movies is astounding, not just in terms of the plot, pacing, exposition etc, but also the sets, the costuming, the music, the fight choreography, the languages, just... everything.
2:45 ... and the Gandalf ACTUALLY dies.
Oh man, you don't know how much I envy you for not knowing the plot.
He technically does die but the "gods" or whatever bring send him back as a new person
Smokefan4000 yea Eru Ilúvatar brings him back, the ultimate deity
Sure. I didn't mean that Gandalf did die, but that Karsten says and thinks so
Gandalf the grey died and then he was resurrected by some powerful force and now he is gandalf the white
@@zolyx5395 Gandalf the Grey died and he was resurrected by Eru Ilúvatar and Eru is Tolkien's version of the Christian God.
This video is so relieving. Also “GALLum” lol
WOAH WOAH WOAH!!! Let me get this perfectly straight: You comment something that is completely unrelated to the fact that I have two HAZARDOUSLY HOT girlfriends? Considering that I am the unprettiest UA-camr worldwide, it is really incredible. Yet you did not mention it at all. I am VERY disappointed, dear jakon
Sauron: exists
Karsten: errrr.... un... *tHe BiG eYe*
Saruman: Exists
Karsten: The dentist from Willy Wonka
He's literally the titular character 😂
Oh so Karsten's basically the live-action version of JFK from Clone High?
as someone who rewatches the lotr trilogy in a single day multiple times a year it blows my mind that there's people who Haven't seen it but i'm so glad ppl ARE getting around to watching the films!!!
I didn't watch the LOTR films until last summer...so...
I have never seen them but I want to. For someone like me, would you recommend watching the extended editions first or do you think I could get away with watching the theatrical versions first.
@@JEK_VaNNNNN the theatrical first, then if you like them watch the extended version
I made a friend watch them a few weeks ago, she absolutely loved them
And seeing him that happy after watching Fellowship just made me soo glad! Like he is getting into the spirit and rewatch the shit of the trilogy 😂
You didn't even cry when they were talking about strawberries on Mt. Doom and then the shire theme started playing? :'(
For me it's when Pippin finds Merry on the fields of Pelennor.
@@vincenttavani6380 that's a great one too! It's kinda mindblowing how many great emotional moments these movies have and they all really hit home.
i always cry at the end of the fellowship, when sam follows Frodo into the river!!
What about the 'you, my friends, bow to no one' moment
For me it’s when bilbo goes all Gollum on Frodo, and jus breaks down afterward like he’s so sad and ashamed over something he really had no control over
It warms my heart to see someone enjoy my favorite trilogy but EXTENDED VERSION BACK TO BACK is just begging to suck all patience out of you
Almost 4 hours right
Extended cuts are the only proper way of watching lotr
@@folsomprisonblues5087 try 9
@@jerooo159 No it isn't. The theatrical are fantastic and a lot more streamlined for newbies.
An extended edition marathon is the only way
If someone wants to watch the whole trilogy in a quick time span I'd recommend watching them on three consecutive days. That way, you'll be able to appreciate each one individually without being absolutely exhausted. You will also sob yourself into oblivion towards the end and several times in between.
Exactly.
Thank you, that's what I just did
Exactly what i did, perfection
Who the fuck cries over LOTR😆😂😂😂
@@yelsu3358 a lot of people. People cry for different reasons. It's a beautiful movie.
If you’d waited a while with Return of the King, trust me, you’d have cried your eyes out. Love this video man! I watched the theatrical trilogy with my friends in one day and I noticed we couldn’t really enjoy ROTK because we were just tired, which is a shame because I truly think it is my favourite
Totally true, I cried like 20-25 min straight at the end of RoTK
got to see the extended editions in theaters a few years ago over three weeks and lemme say, rotk was fucking phenomenal after that three weeks.
Return of the King god you write a paragraph but cant spell out the movie title
I cry every Fucking time
@@cynicalleviathan Everytime I watch the movie, I do it in like a month, watch 40 minutes every like 3 days, and then watch the last 2hs of rotk in one night. Never fails to make me cry lol
How can u watch the entire trilogy without mentioning my favorite character Samwise smh
And how did he not cry when Frodo betrayed Sam bruhhh
He is so simple in the movies but in the book he is so much more interesting and loyal
Yes, Sam and Boromir are so underappreciated both by film and book fans. It's such a shame.
@@bigricardo7213 I'd flip it around, I think most of the book characters are super rudimentary and have really unrealistic dialogue, the movie brought more depth to them.
@@Tribrachidiumheraldicum I think the unrealistic dialogue fits better in what LotR is. It reads like an old saga from the medieval period.
I think Karsten now has a crush on Legolas.
Lize Haro “I watched a three hour video of Orlando Bloom showering and I have no regrets”
Don't we all...
Bro I cry at every “end” in Return of the King especially when Aragorn says “you bow to no one” and then Frodo has to sail out of Middle Earth. Idk how you can’t but I guess I get it if you did watch it in marathon format as a first time viewer. The ending of Fellowship is also such a tear jerker with Boromir’s death speech, then Sam wading into the water. And don’t get me started on the music. Quite possibly the greatest film series ever
Yooo same that boat scene gets me every time. “I made a promise Mr. Frodo, a promise.”
"I can't carry it for you, but I CAN carry you!"
Don’t even. It hits the feels too hard 😭
THE DISRESPECT TO SAMWISE THE BRAVE IN THIS VIDEO!!
Although I do understand that he was too exhausted to register the very emotional beats, a la: Sam freaking CARRYING Frodo up the damn mountain 😭
My ranking is
3. The Fellowship of the Ring
2. The Return of the King
1. The Two Towers
The battle of Helmsdeep was just too perfect.
And the "po-ta-toes" moment was freaking Iconic
the exact wrong answer
I love the part at the end when everything is going down and Sam is talking with frodos about heroes
I'm a whore for action sequences so I'd have to say the same. Though the Balrog was pretty freaking awesome. Imagine the battle sequences if Sauron used him for a siege of something lol
Gandalf's return in The Two Towers is the best scene ever...
I too lose my mind every time Orlando Bloom shows up
Gandalf: *dies*
“They had us in the first half not gonna lie.”
"I love Viggo Mortenson's character, I hope we get a lot more of him..." Oh you gonna
I Cannot. Believe. You just referred to him as "The Dentist from Willy Wonka" Obviously his claim to fame is Ansem the Wise from Kingdom Hearts 2, duhh
I cry at Frodo leaving for the undying lands every time, the most emotional scene in film for me.
Gitzer agreed
First one the best one don’t @ me. Also no wonder they feel long, you’re watching the Extended Editions.
It definitely is the best one, I agree. And yes, starting with the Extended Edition isn't ideal, since the cinema versions are basically the Director Cuts.
i watched the lord of the rings having read the books and, more importantly, about J.R.R Toilken’s life and his severe P.T.S.D following serving in WWI. I feel like the most interesting way to view these films is as an analogy for PTSD.
Which Tolkien would vehemently disagree with.
@@njux1871 That isn't an accurate assessment. The (First half of, the second half gets left out far too often.) quote you are referring to is referring to allegory, and even then, a very specific kind that has specifically to do with Author intent--he thought authors /forcing/ their works to be an allegory (Also, he was rebuking the belief that that was what he did with The Ring and Atom Bombs) made it lesser because it forces a specific and singular interpretation of it that would get in the way of what a /reader/ could take away from it.
Basically, Tolkien hated books like Animal Farm, where it's a story with one specific meaning and interpretation with its meta-narrative. He used symbolism and analogies and so on all the fucking time, and he'd be the first person to say that his experiences with death in WW1 would absolutely impact his writings about death in his fantasy universe. He'd also be the first person to admit that his extremely devout Catholic beliefs would influence his writing too--"The Ressurection" and it's themes in the LOTR are an extremely huge element in catholic literature, but contrasted to C.S Lewis, even if you could make a superficial comparison between Gandalf and Jesus, Gandalf is still his own character, and not Jesus. In comparison, Aslan in Narnia IS Jesus, straight up.
Basically, he'd be fine with viewing his books as an allegory for death and loss and even admitted that the Ring is an allegory for Power--he would disagree with saying that is the singular 'correct' interpretation or that it is limited only to WW1 specifically. (And rebuked people who tried to say the Ring was an allegory for /Nuclear/ power specifically)
@@Hifuutorian Njux isnt far off though, in the Forward to the books (at least my edition) Tolkien writes that his experience in The War did not influence the books as he already had the majority of the third book written in his head before serving. Though I do believe what he had pre-conceived may have been altered a bit by it subconsciously, as I find it hard to believe it had *no* effect.
I'd never imagine that you were watching the extended version. I did that one time and I feel the same: exausted. But it's a great trilogy. I remembered watching The Return of the King at cinema and it was one of the best experience ever. Everyone was cherring up in the battle sequels - especially because of Legolas. Forgive my english, man. I love your vídeos and your personality.
Your English is great
@@dukeofdenver this comment and reply made me so happy for some reason
One does not simply watch the LOTR trilogy for the first time in one day.
stfu
Extended addition at that
Ah, the “Lord of the... Rings?” With all of your favourite guys: Galum, Lego-uh-OrlandoBloom, Pip, the trees, and Aragon-Oragon-Aragorn? What a lovely batch of fellas.
In the helms deep battle there’s a bunch of CG guys in the army shots that have AI. Each one has its own programmed battle style, intelligence, and courage. Some of the soldiers had scores in intelligence and courage that made them assess the battle and then realize it was too much and ran away. The stupid CG soldiers were so advanced that some of them developed artificial cowardice. The effects in this movie are in another level
first I've heard of this, wow!
As amusing as the story is, that's not the entire truth. The real story is that in their first test battle, they told the soldiers to run forward until they encountered an enemy and then fight, but later on spotted a couple of them running off into the distance. On reviewing the simulation, they realised that those two in particular just happened to never run into an enemy, so never stopped to fight. Still my favourite behind the scenes story of this trilogy! :D
in case you didn’t know, the author of the books (JRR Tolkien) served in WWII, which is why his fighting scenes are so good, he still keeps the fantasy aspect while bringing in how an actual battle works. he also lost most of his childhood friends to the war, allowing him to channel his own grief into his characters; he knows about fellowship and losing those who fought by his side so he doesn’t let his characters be sucked entirely into the fantasy, he still leaves the human aspects we have so that we can feel connected and essentially grieve with them. and even when the characters come back they’re not the same and their friends still grieve.
“Pip” you’re literally killing me
It’s probably best to watch the theatrical cuts when you’re watching for the first time
Completely disagree. I never saw the theatrical and I dont care
No. Started with the etended version last december. Watched a month later the theatrical version. The extended is much better even if ,or have no clue about anything in lotr universe
Agreed. Theatrical cuts are better paced as films
I think the extended cuts are a lot better, but they have a lot of things that slow down the movie, and for someone who hasn't seen them, it can get pretty tiring
Adami agreed
Baffled that you not once mentioned Sam or Gimli. C’mon Karsten
I am extremely glad you watched the extended editions, though for a first time viewing...ballsy af. I just hope the length didnt harm your enjoyment, as the extended editions are more for if you are already a fan
“I never cried” *has crazy flashback to when I ugly cried nonstop from the first battle in Return of the King all the way through the credits*
You should do the “before trilogy” before sunrise, sunset, midnight. It’s an amazing movie I think you’re gonna enjoy it~
Things I'm surprised Karsten didn't mention:
- the transfer of the protagonist role from Frodo to Sam
- the Eowyn fight
- the Return of the King's 5 billion bagillion endings
- the architecture
“I’m not gonna rank them, they’re too fresh in my mind”
literally not even four seconds later
“two towers then return of the kind then fellowship”
He said I'm not gonna rate them
My rank of the film's changes constantly, I think it honestly depends on where I'm at mentally/emotionally. I think fellowship is the nicest, though. It always just makes me feel warm.
Really glad you like the movies Karsten!
not one mention of samwise gamgee... he's the best character!!
When I introduced my little brother to these movies, we watched one extended edition per day for three days. I think that’s the best way to watch these
Karsten: Gandalf dies and I was losing my mind
Me: Who’s gonna tell him
The LOTR are my fav movies of all time.
1. Return of the King
2. Fellowship of the Ring
3. Two Towers
This list is the only correct one
This is the correct answer.
This is the only ranking for these movies
Seeing these movies when they were released, when the theaters were completely packed - man, that was some of the best times I've ever had in a movie theatre.
When Aragorn said “My friends... you bow to no one” it kills me every single time. Like a baby.
Hey, this was my suggestion in one of your previous videos! And the extended editions too, woo! Glad you're taking a look at these films.
Big mistake watching the Extended Editions first man, they are intended for the fans of the books and fans of the theatrical releases to give extra detail and content from the books and the lore. Should've watched the theatrical releases first, especially since you're new to the story, the lore and the characters.
I agree. But I don't think fans of the books like (some) things that were in extended editions.
Filip Jeglic *Cough* Gandalf v Witch King
@@coletroutman1060 the only problem I have with the RotK extended edition
Hard disagree. The Extended Editions are the only way to watch them. The movie doesn't even make sense without them, there's so many major plot points you just never see. I've introduced plenty of people to this trilogy and I've only ever shown Extendeds, and basically everyone loved them.
I *dont* suggest a marathon unless you've seen it already (I've done it 5 times, planning a 6th). The way I show people is watch the Fellowship and the first dvd/half of Two Towers in one day, then the rest of TT and RoTK on another day. It only takes a few hours each day and it's easy to pick back up later on.
@@Glorfindel_117 extended editions only or nothing
Watching them in one day id definitely an experience.... I recently got to see all 3 in the cinema,,,,, 13 hours,,,100% worth it :)
the lord of the rings movies were nothing like i expected them to be. i watched them for the first time 2 years ago, and i was blown away by the acting, the cinematography, the settings, etc. not only are they incredibly fun to watch, but they're top tier filmmaking imo
A lot of LOTR was based on Tolkien’s experiences in WWI and it’s fascinating how he integrates it. For example, the Dead Marshes was based on Tolkien’s trauma of seeing dead bodies in water-filled craters on the battlefield
I just started watching the movies too! Im loving this quarantine
It brings me overwhelming joy to see someone become a fan of something for the first time that I happen to love.
I was hyped to see what you have to say about these films!
I marathoned these movies at work once (I used to drive a mini bus for 12 hour shifts, spent most of the time parked). It was fun, I just wish work was over after the movies.
I'm gonna be so pissed if you watched extended version only for first time.
Not sure when that became a thing, the theatrical versions is literally why it took the world by storm
The theatralic version is also how Peter Jackson wanted the films to be.
Oh shit that's what I did, I didn't think much of it because I only had the extended edition box set. Ig one day I'll eventually watch the theatrical ones
the extended editions are better, fight me
@@myleswoods8371 Better for the first watch or if you haven't read the books. Extended edition is fan service and becomes your standard if you love it that much.
I watched the extended version in december 2019 and the normal shorter version one month later. The shorter version sucks compared to the "how it should be" version. Don't even question that, just accept it and watch only the extended
I am so delighted by these reactions! One thing I will say is that while I, as an ardent supporter of the extended editions am glad you watched them, when you were talking about pacing issues, that’s something that is really only present in the extended. The theatricals are well paced, made for watching in the cinema, and flow better. (Still love the extendeds for the lore and world building)
oh my god i’ve never clicked on a video so fast. these movies are so good to me because i don’t think something like this will ever be achieved again. you have to watch the behind the scenes. my personal ranking is: ROTK, FOTR, TT
This video just made me so happy. It has the vibe of when you show your friend a movie you really like and they end up enjoying it as well. Then they tell you about things, some of which you already now while some you never really noticed or gave much thought. I just watched it with as big of a smile as in the video.
I've grown up watching the extended edition (basically six movies) without ever knowing that they were EXTENDED. Now the theatrical version just feels so short 😂
I hadn't seen any of the movies until last year, and it was a day at the theaters watching the extended editions one right after the other. Yup, it was draining. Drainingly awesome!!!
First time viewing: theatrical release
Rewatch: extended edition
iDESUDESU And now I will never watch the theatrical cut again.
nooo
No.
The books are so much more detailed. It’s insane. The two towers part with the ents was presented in one long chunk. Which is really really much slower than even the back and forth they used in the movie. They actually managed to present most of the important information without dragging it down too much. Tolkein was apparently like a historian or professor or something and was really interested in languages. So he actually wrote the languages in the books and movies and they are proper languages that someone can learn and communicate effectively with. It’s kind of insane. From what I understand, he wrote the story for himself and was completely shocked when people wanted to read it and wanted more and more background etc. so he wrote it all. My husband got me a trilogy of books that apparently take place in the second age of middle earth (before the hobbit) and has all sorts of background on the rings and sauron etc. I haven’t plunged into them yet. But am planning on making them a summer priority. Great review. I would have told you not to watch all 3 in one day for the first time. Especially not extended versions. There is so much to absorb. Also watching these movies with subtitles can sometimes really really help with names and understanding. :)
"Stop showing me Pip, I wanna see Orlando Bloom!"
Mood. Major mood.
To me this is one of the best trilogies of all time; if not THE best. Two towers is my favourite - so glad you enjoyed it man!
I love this trilogy. I'm so glad you're reacting to it.
I think you appreciate the lulls in momentum in Two Towers once you go back for subsequent viewings. Loved the reactions. Tying up the characters at the end of the trilogy is really, REALLY rewarding once you watch again. Best trilogy in film history.
A quote I’ve been thinking about so much recently due to these last few months has been this moment from Sam in Two Towers.
It's all wrong
By rights we shouldn't even be here.
But we are.
It's like in the great stories Mr. Frodo.
The ones that really mattered.
Full of darkness and danger they were,
and sometimes you didn't want to know the end.
Because how could the end be happy.
How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened.
But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow.
Even darkness must pass.
A new day will come.
And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.
Those were the stories that stayed with you.
That meant something.
Even if you were too small to understand why.
These films have so many lines that just stick with you for years, and the give me so much hope.
❤️❤️❤️
So many lines that stick with you ... like “They‘re taking the hobbits to Isengard!“ XD
I watched all three of these yesterday for the first time, didn't have too much trouble. But you watched the extended editions, so maybe it is a different animal.
Yea the extended edition kept in like every single deleted scene
Oh dang you watched the extended versions in one day? 😳 Yeah, I wouldn’t have recommended that. People who say watch the extended are typically huge fans of the books who can appreciate all the extra footage that was originally cut. If you’re someone who has no prior knowledge and hasn’t read the books, I always recommend watching the theatrical cut, over separate days. Your “fatigue” is understandable. It’s a lot to take in all at once, and you need some time to breathe, intellectually and emotionally. Overall though, great reaction.
Extendeds are literally the only way to watch them. There's no point in watching the Theatrical, they belong in the theatre. A marathon is tiring yeah but its SO worth it, though I would never do it with someone who hasn't seen them before. I introduce people to lotr via the Extended editions (so their soul isnt corrupt by the worse version), but stop at the end of the first disk for the Two Towers, then pick up from there preferably the day after.
such a brave choice watching the extended versions in one day, what a commitment!!
great video
The disrespect to Christopher Lee 🤨
Smh Dracula/Dooku deserves better
Karsten revealed himself to be a bit of a pleb here
@Tom Ffrench Good performance in that as well.
In a few minutes I will forget he was the dentist from Willy Wonka
I cant explain how happy it made me that you watched the extended editions
OMG this is such wholesome content! Can't believe you didn't watch them (also bonus point for the extended versions!). My favorite is The Two Towers because I remember winning tickets for a pre show (like 3 days before the release date in December of 2003) and loved the Ents attacking Saruman. When Treebeard says ''the last march of the Ents'' à, it just gives me goosebumps every freaking time and I cry a little(a lot). I had such a wonderful time and it's my favorite movie trilogy. Now, The Hobbits are really not...heum...good? I don't know...I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll wait for your video!
This man did NOT just call Christopher Lee the dentist from Willy Wonka
I'd rank them exactly the same way. Fellowship is kinda perfect imo, then Return of the King, then Two Towers, but the whole story is so close to my heart I could watch these a thousand times and never get bored. I'm soooo happy and relieved that you liked these.
“It recognizes what grieving is” ITS BECAUSE THEYRE ABOUT WORLD WAR ONE!!! it made me excited to see someone acknowledging an important theme I feel like people miss out on it idk
Prof. Tolkien specifically rejected the idea that these are an allegory for WWI. However, the influence the war had on him as a person is evident though the books. If you're interested in a very indepth look into the relationship between the war and Tolkien definitely read "Tolkien and The Great War" by John Garth.
unrelated but nice pfp 👍
my friends have huge emotional attachments to this trilogy so they’ve tried to watch them with me all at once so i’ve seen the first one twice, the first half of the second one twice, and i still haven’t seen the third lmao
The first time I saw the trilogy it was the extended edition of each film... in a theater... in one day... and the only breaks they made where between the films which were actually just as long as the credits of the first two films. So that's how I spent around 13 hours in our local cinema.
Karsten your little smile then “man, I kind of love it” after watching the fellowship is the perfect reaction and review for this movie.
I love Fellowship because it’s so nice. I feel nice watching it. It looks nice. It’s my favorite. I can’t really remember Two Towers because I’ve decided I won’t watch them again until I re-read the books. I like Frodo and Sam’s plot in RotK, but I’m not really into big battle sequences.
HIS NAME IS PIPPIN MY DUDE.
Look forward to watching them the second time with breaks between movies, I really think Return of the King will be your favorite if you see it when you’re not exhausted.
Karsten: I'm gonna watch all 3 Lord of The Rings movies in one day.
Pretty Much It: *Hold my Hogwarts.*
Love those boys
What I love most about this video is being able to almost experience the movie for the first time all over again.
I was very, very young when I watched these films. I mean, the fellowship was the first live action non kids movie I ever watched. I don't remember the wonder, I don't remember the bewilderment at certain points. This video just made me happy, I don't know how to exactly explain it. But thanks for making the content I didnt know I needed
When I saw the notification... I came right here. I'm so glad you watched all three and this was a great video.
It's 2021 and I'm here for this experience. LotR remains to be my favorite movies of all time. I marathon the extended versions every year in one weekend for at least 10 years now, and watch the movies individually multiple times throughout the year. And I love watching with fellow fans coz we get to recite all the badass speeches together :P
Glad you liked them, but totally agree with your recommendation to not watch them in one day if it's your first time. It's really a lot. Personal ranking would be Two Towers, Return of the King, then Fellowship of the Ring.
THE DENTISTTTTT bro that had me laughingggg
I would highly recommend giving yourself a lot of time to digest all that information. Once you feel prepared, rewatch it individually again (best not to marathon it for sanity's sake). There are so many little details and nuances that make the trilogy resonate with people so deeply.
All the little actions and dialogues of each character are so meticulously crafted. The payoffs at the end make everything so worthwhile.
I'm not one to cry, but Sam's speeches throughout the trilogy along with Aragon's coronation (and mankind bowing to the Hobbits) get me every time. Very beautiful films with a deeply wholesome message.
Karsten, you are slowly turning into my favorite youtuber. And you have no right to do that.
i really think this is the best book to movie adaptation ever. even the games are amazing, it’s just a very adaptable universe.
they're even better on rewatch imo
Hat's off to you for completing this marathon. Glad you enjoyed them, even if it wore you out. Great films, glad to see they still stand up after the passing of time. They did a really amazing job making the world feel real, and I agree, they spent the time making the characters really matter, and time dealing with grief, multiple times, and you don't really see that done well in most franchises [often only one character really grieves for their friend and everyone else seems to just shrug it off, oh well, shit happens]. The death of Thoeden always hit hard.
You do realize that your watching the extended editions right!? The "dull" pip moments in two towers are less frequent in theatrical release
Nothing better that watching people starting to love a movie you loved for so long
Now my day is booked the whole of tomorrow my girlfriend is a big fan and I watched the first one and started the second one but other films got in the way so now is the best time to do this honestly
i'm so glad he liked them, it's great hearing people talk about stuff they enjoy
If you're looking for a slightly shorter exp. The theatrical editions are amazing too.
Glad you enjoyed helms deep so much - one of my all time favorite movie sequences.
I just re-watched them with my wife for the millionth time.
Very glad you also watched the extended edition!
The virgin Karsten: watches The Lord of the Rings all at once. The chad me: watches The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, all extended editions at once.
Lol I am planning to do this tomorrow 😂
It makes me excited to see Karsten so hyped about these movies. These films comprised so much of my childhood and this video made me feel like a kid again lol