In reading this review, you have to ask yourself one simple question: How big of a movie geek am I? After all, Peter Jackson's classic trilogy has already been released in 2-disc & 4-disc versions of each film, and a massive 12-disc version of all three. And, undoubtedly, if you are reading this, you've already invested in at least one (or three) of them. What more could New Line have to offer? Well, that depends on our level of geekness. Let's test ourselves, shall we? Geek Level 1: You purchased the initial 2-disc theatrical versions of each film, then went ahead and bought the 4-disc boxed sets, featuring expanded versions of each movie, when they were released a few months later. Geek Level 2: Sure, you may have invested in the 4-disc boxed sets of each film in the trilogy, but damn, that 12-disc boxed set is pretty damned cool! Geek Level 3: Sure, I have all six versions of all three movies, but is there nothing more? The answer, of course, is yes. If you find yourself falling under the Geek Level 3 category, then you definitely must invest in this latest "Limited Edition" version of the trilogy, available all together in a 6-disc set or as individual 2-disc versions of each film. Of course, if you are a Level 3 movie geek, why would you waste time with anything other than the whole enchilada? If George Lucas taught us nothing else, it's that you can never underestimate the spending power of the Level 3 movie geek.

For all of you Level 3 Movie Geeks out there, here's what this set has to offer: 1. Easily the coolest packaging of any previous version of the trilogy. 2. Each film is presented in both their original theatrical versions, as well as the extended cuts. Through 'seamless branching,' you can access either version on the same disc. Due to the extreme length of each film, you are slightly inconvenienced by having to flip the disc over. 3. Each movie is accompanied on a second disc by feature length, behind-the-scenes making-of documentaries by filmmaker Costa Botes. They are fairly raw and free of pre-release hype, showing the cast and crew, warts and all. In many ways, these documentaries are more fun and interesting than the hours of featurettes offered on earlier DVD releases.

Both the picture and sound quality of this version of the trilogy is the same as previous releases, meaning it is almost perfect, offered in the same 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 5.1 Dolby Digital EX.

As a Level 3 Movie Geek, the only extras you're interested in are the only ones offered, the aforementioned full-length documentaries of each movie. Of course, assuming there is a Level 4, the fact that both versions of each film are included on single discs may be considered a significant bonus feature.

It goes without saying that anyone who hasn't ever purchased this trilogy are highly advised to do so, especially since these versions are no more expensive than the original DVD releases (and feature more entertaining & down-to-Earth behind-the-scenes footage in the documentaries). As for Level 3 Movie Geeks, you'll love this set for the extras alone. Highly recommended for Geek Levels 3 and beyond.