[Garen LiLorian]

I <I><B>Hated</I></B> the elves at Helm's Deep. I'm sorry. Many of you have brought up good points, and showing that Elves <I>were</I> fighting Sauron is all well and good, but it was just so poorly done!<P>Haldir; "The Elves have decided to fight alongside Men, to honor ancient alliances."<BR>Aragorn; "Great! So... Um... when are they getting here?"<BR>Haldir; "Whaddya mean? We're here!"<BR>Aragorn; "All twenty of you, huh?"<P>It had such a political gesture feel to it.<BR>Then, when Haldir died, I was wishing it would get over with quicker. It seemed like such a obvious ploy to get the audience involved. For some of you it worked. Good for you! I guess I'm just to cynical and heartless to identify with a character that has zero screen time. I'd much rather have had Hama get a death scene at Helm's Deep, and stay closer to the books. <P>Maybe I've just seen too many war movies, but I am sick and tired of the cliche slow motion, all sound ceasing, sad song playing death. It worked for Boromir really well. Boromir was a <I>character</I>. I could identify with him. (of course, I may be slightly biased, as he was always my favorite) Haldir was <I>no-one</I>. He did nothing. It wasn't even his decision to come to Helm's Deep. He's just a lieutenant. IMO, if he gets a death scene, so should every other soldier in the whole army. Equal rights! Equal rights!<P>Oh, yeah. And I didn't like him even as a character. Pudgy elf. Didn't work for me that he was a bad**s warrior. He was too proud, too fat and too haughty. Seemed more like a feudal baron than a kingly elf. Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.