Yeah Astin was my fav actor in the movie too and was also great in Rudy. Anyway, I saw the movie last night and all I can say is Holy Sh**. RotK is definately hands down my favorite movie of the trilogy and the best movie I' have ever seen in the theater. Just an all around excellent movie which had it all: action, drama, suspense, comedy, and many heart-felt moments. My favorite moment in the movie was when Pippin stabs the Witch King from behind and then the King's daughter(I forget her name) finishes him off. I usually never tear up in a theater, but I was so close when everyone bowed down to the four hobbits. That was such a moment and the backround music behind it made it very very touching.
Most of you have complained about the ending being to long, but I enjoyed the ending as a great story like LOTR needed the proper sendoff showing us what happens to all the chracters in depth. But I felt sorry for anyone who had to go to the bathroom really bad and they thought it was going to end and it just kept going
But all in all LOTR was easily the best movie series of all-time.