The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Third and final part of Peter Jackson’s (first) Tolkien trilogy. 

It’s ridiculously epic in terms of length (over three hours) and narrative scope (action across multiple kingdoms). There’s a more emotional aspect, too, making this the strongest of the three films. 

As before there’s plenty of soaring choral music and once again it’s probably best not to ask too many questions about the rules behind when, where and how the “magic” can be applied.

I would have liked a better resolution of the plot thread about Éowyn (Miranda Otto) and her love for Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), who goes off with the elf lady played by Liv Tyler, but the film was long enough already.

The most striking aspect is that it’s extremely unusual to see a film about hetrosexual male love. But if nothing else, this is a study of exactly that. The tender, selflessly generous understanding between Sam (Sean Astin) and Frodo (Elijah Wood) is explored with real sensitivity. It ends up being hugely touching, despite all my cynicism.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Second part of the trilogy. More running around Middle-earth uttering fairly ludicrous statements and looking serious. 

You simply need to take it at face value that this creature/thing can out-magic that creature thing, or that this mystic power can thwart that one. 

There’s little here that wasn’t done better in the first instalment, which had a more unified narrative. Also, the segments featuring the walking, talking living trees dragged and detracted from the dynamism of the big battle scenes. 

The best thing about the series is Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn Elessar. He’s fun to watch, unlike the loutish Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) and the silly baddie with hair like Cher (Christopher Lee). 

It suffers from “mid-trilogy” problems in that it has to build on or develop themes from the previous film without the luxury of being about to resolve any of them.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

First part of Peter Jackson’s version of J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic. 

A hobbit called Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) journeys through Middle-earth to destroy a ring containing immense evil power. Along the way there are battles and mystical happenings that help and hinder his progress. 

I was somewhat dreading watching this – anything with wizards, elves, magic and beards is a big turn-off – but it was better than I thought. The storytelling is coherent and the acting is above par. 

Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean and Andy Serkis, among others, all do their bit. It’s ludicrous, but they take it seriously enough to make it just about hang together. 

My objection remains the arbitrary-seeming, make-it-up-as-you-go-along “rules” (i.e., this sword will glow blue when orcs or goblins are approaching) that typify fantasy. This thing has this power. That thing can defeat this thing. This other thing can destroy that other thing.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Fantasy comedy romance directed by Rob Reiner presented as a fairytale story within a story. A grandfather (Peter Falk) reads a book to his grandson (Fred Savage), and we see those events playing out as the film’s main narrative. 

It’s an enjoyably silly saga about an evil prince (Chris Sarandon), who wants to marry a princess named Buttercup (Robin Wright). But Buttercup is in love with farm-boy Westley (Cary Elwes) a.k.a. Dread Pirate Roberts. 

The action plays out in castles, forests, a swamp and a pit. It’s deliberately slightly ridiculous, and yet it’s played straight – which makes it funnier. It’s both a good-natured action romp and an expert parody of that sort of thing. 

Christopher Guest is impressively “evil” as Count Tyrone Rugen, and there are also roles for Mandy Patinkin, Peter Cook, Mel Smith and Billy Crystal.

Pete’s Dragon (2016)

I loved this Disney film when I saw it at the cinema and I loved it just as much two years later on a £1 charity-shop DVD. Pete, aged four, is orphaned when his parents crash their car on a remote forest road. He meets a green (sometimes invisible) dragon, who he befriends and lives with for six years before they are discovered by the outside world and everything changes... Not very promising on paper, but this simple film is surprisingly powerful and emotional. Robert Redford is endearing as the wise old man who believes in magic. His park ranger daughter (Bryce Dallas Howard) is convincingly sensitive as Pete’s new “mother”. Pete himself is played by Oakes Fegley, who delivers one of the strongest child-actor performances I’ve ever seen. There’s an ecology message (deforestation is not good) and the CGI effects are so sophisticated that you never once doubt what you are seeing. The soundtrack is brilliantly unDisney, with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, St. Vincent and Leonard Cohen all suiting the tender tone of the film perfectly. It’s difficult to say why this simple story of love and friendship ends up being so moving, but both times I have watched it I have been left feeling profoundly touched.

Cinderella (2015)

“Have courage and be kind” is the simple message behind this live-action Disney film. It’s incredibly faithful to the original fairytale. I found it immensely powerful to see a story I’ve known all my life suddenly unfolding before my eyes in a newly visualised manner. And the magical scenes were sublime. The highlight was when the coach and horses began breaking down into the pumpkin, mice and lizards that they had been magicked from. Lily James plays it straight in the title role, Helena Bonham Carter is pretty good as the quirky fairy godmother and Cate Blanchett has fun hamming it up as the wicked stepmother.