The most excellent fantasy story of the 20th century, once thought impossible to film, finally made it to the big screen. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is more than just entertainment—it's a landmark film that changed the history of cinema. With New Zealand’s stunning scenery, groundbreaking visual effects, and deep human drama, the film earned 13 Academy Award nominations and won 4. Games like Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and The Legend of Zelda all trace their roots back to this story.

The showdown with Smaug, the final boss of Part 2, was surprisingly brief. It was resolved early on, and the protagonists weren't even involved in the conclusion. But what really feels unsatisfying is Thorin’s character. The noble character we saw in Part 2 suddenly turns arrogant as soon as he gets his wealth back. There’s no real psychological build-up. Thorin doesn’t even defeat Smaug himself. The moment he gets his gold, he becomes arrogant. It feels out of character for the main hero. Why? That question sticks with you. The reason given is “dragon sickness.” So it really was a sickness? But the film never clearly shows how he got sick or how he overcame it. As soon as he recovers, he rushes straight into a massive orc army. It feels more reckless than heroic. It doesn’t have the same bold energy Aragorn showed when he led the Ringwraiths to the rescue in the earlier film. This last film left me feeling uneasy.

The stunning scenery and exciting new battle scenes, especially the river escape, kept me on the edge of my seat. Legolas’s appearance in this film brought a wave of joy and nostalgia for fans of The Lord of the Rings. Both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have truly fascinating stories. Even though the film is over two hours long, its careful craftsmanship keeps it engaging and enjoyable throughout.

This film comes after Peter Jackson's 2002-2004 Lord of the Rings trilogy. Watching it reminded me of that world. I liked seeing familiar characters again, but the enemy monsters seemed too silly and not very threatening, which sometimes made the movie feel more like a comedy. That wasn't very pleasant.

The How to Train Your Dragon series has come to an end. This last film stands out for its stunning visuals and touching story, making it a proper “moving grand finale.” It highlights the best in animation, shows how much the characters have grown, and ends on a surprisingly emotional note. For longtime fans, it feels like the perfect reward.

The popular series got a sequel, and it’s rare for a sequel to outshine the original. But this film is one of those rare cases. Set five years after the first movie, it tells a touching story that strengthens the bond between Hiccup and Toothless while exploring big themes like growing up, family, and saying goodbye. If the first film was about friendship between a boy and a dragon, this one is more about coming of age and what it means to grow up.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a live-action take on the classic tabletop RPG. It stands out as a high-quality fantasy comedy, even for those who don’t know the original game. The film’s character chemistry is similar to Guardians of the Galaxy, and the jokes feel natural, making it more entertaining than I expected.

Brahmastra made history as the first Indian film to debut at #2 on the US box office chart. This epic superhero fantasy brings ancient Indian mythology into the modern world. Director Ayan Mukerji spent 11 years creating this first part of a trilogy, using Hollywood-level visual effects and a star-studded cast to deliver a unique Indian cinematic experience. Even with its long 167-minute runtime, the story about Shiva’s growth and the power of love keeps viewers engaged. Some weak dialogue and a familiar romantic plot hold it back from perfection, but as a showcase of Indian cinema’s technical progress and creativity, it is sure to be remembered.