[Glenethor]

I tend to agree. Furthermore, as seems to be happening, I find it sad that people would go to the movie just so that they could come back online and be able to nitpick about all the things they didn't like; and, people whining about TTT, when they haven't even seen it yet. That's downright silly. I've made this suggestion before, and I will do it again: if someone is unhappy with PJ's work on the first movie, he/she should boycott the final two films. That is what I do if I don't like something...I make sure that they don't see a dime of my money. <P>I disagree that the 'purists' would be on the edge of their seats if the movie unfolded 'note for note' from the book. I think that would be, on one level, fairly boring, because I would know exactly what was going to happen next...every step of the way. I liken what PJ did to jazz improv...variations on themes...with some interesting surprises.<P>FWIW, I think that PJ's FoTR is a masterpiece, albeit a <I>flawed</I> masterpiece. I <I>can</I> understand why certain people might not like it, and I can empathize. I was prepared to be quite disappointed with the film, and after my first viewing, I <I>was</I> both over and underwhelmed. After I had gotten through my own nitpicking, I found the film to be a breathtaking achievement. It is plain to see that everyone involved threw themselves into this project, heart and soul. That shines through quite clearly, from the attention to detail, to Shore's soundtrack, to the casting. I have a few quibbles with what I consider to be unnecessary changes, but, you know, I can live with those changes. They do not interfere with my enjoyment of the book, and the book does not interfere with my enjoyment of the movie. The voices and images in my head attached to each character have, for the most part, not been usurped by the actors in the film. I do have a slight tendency to see McKellen as Gandalf, but that is because he pulled his interpretation of the character right from my unconscious.<P>So, lucky me will get to see the film again at the local repertory theatre tomorrow. <P><I>I amar prestar aen!</I>