[Estella Brandybuck]

I don't know if it's my place to make any judgements on the first movie, since I saw the movie before reading the books, but I just have to say something about Sean Astin and Sean Bean. The former (and I noticed this after reading the first few chapters of FotR) did an amazing job portraying Sam. Astin's performance was one of the main reasons Sam became my favorite character. Now, having finished the books, I can't imagine anyone else being better for the role.<P>As for Sean Bean - I really can't give this guy enough praise. That scene in Lothlorien? I know it wasn't in the book, but it was one of my favorite scenes in the film. You just feel for him. That look in his eyes when he's telling Aragorn about Minas Tirith - it's like he's looking beyond the forests and gazing upon the city itself. While reading the books, I did my best to create my own images of the characters, but so help me I just could not do it for Boromir or Sam. I really can't see anyone else in those roles.<P>And I haven't noticed anyone mention Ian Holm, who I think deserves some praise. It just seemed to me like he had something that was distinctly "Bilbo".<P>Someone else I'd like to mention, and I know a bunch of people will probably disagree, but I really liked what Christopher Lee did with Saruman, if only because of his voice. I mean, Tolkien dedicated an entire chapter to "The Voice of Saruman", so you know it was a thing of power. And I don't know about the rest of you, but if Christopher Lee told me, in his most commanding voice, to go burn a village, I'd light my torch and take off running.<P>But that's just me. <P>For TTT: I actually really liked Bernard Hill as Théoden. I was almost in tears when he started reciting "Where are the horse and the rider?" And I think Brad Dourif was a perfect Wormtongue. Why? Because he creeped me out, that's why. <P>And of course, I think David Wenham did an incredible job with what he had, and I think, if the script allows it, he'll give us an excellent Faramir come December.