Overall, I thought PJ did an incredible job bringing a massive book to the screen and still for the most part maintaining the essence of Tolkien's work. That said though I had 3 real beefs with LOTR. Actually two of them are sort of related. <P>First, there is the whole Lorien thing. That's been well stated by others here so I don't need to belabor the point. <P>Second and somewhat related is it seems to me that the elves come off as pretty arrogant and not overly likeable. Galadriel I was especially disappointed in. Gimli was so moved by their meeting that his whole view of Elves was changed. (Obviously, that combined with his blossoming friendship with Legolas.) Somebody pointed out the missing gift scenes and the one where Gimli askes for but a single strand of her hair is especially poingant. Somehow it's hard to imagine the cold portrayal by Cate Blanchett inspiring that kind of reaction. The other elves too just seemed too arrogant to me. Elrond's disdain for men. Even Haldir as they enter Lorien. I pictured the Elves as a much more noble race, not so petty and arrogant. <P>Third and probably the biggest thing philosophically is the portrayal of Aragorn and his destiny. I have read the books countless times and never noticed a hint that Aragorn was reluctant to assume his destiny as future king of Gondor. Aragorn knew precisely who he was and what his destiny was. It was simply a matter of waiting for the proper time. It does make some sense as portrayed in the movie. Tying Aragorn to Isildur and he fearing that he will fall to the same temptations that Isildur did. Makes some sense, but it just isn't there in the books. And I think Aragorn loses a little of his nobility because of it.<P>I really didn't object to the Arwen stuff. Thought Liv Tyler's performance wasn't exactly Academy Award material, but in general, I understand that they wanted to build the love story part up a little and I can live with that. <P>The were some other minor things that I don't understand why they changed when there really doesn't seem to be any good reason for it. For example, in the movie Gandalf feared going to Moria whereas Aragorn favored it. In the books it is exactly reversed. Why change it? What's the point. <P>All in all though I thought the movie was very well done.
|