Actually, in the book, the hobbits all shone in some distinguishing characteristics. Merry is practical, Sam is loyal, Frodo deep, and Pippin light-hearted. It is not true that Pippin is foolish and ignorant. He had the sense to squeeze out of the brawling orcs and cut ropes of his bound hands, and not just run off. He is also smart enough to imitate Gollum to buy time from Grishnakh.
Of course, those young hobbits Merry and Pippin were fools to run off by themselves to search for Frodo, but the end result might have been the same. If the Fellowship had not scattered, none of them may have survived the onslaught during the ambush.
There is no denying that Pippin is comical. He might have even been intended so by Prof T, but I don't think he should be bashed. The Film had always altered personalities, but for comic relief, Pippin is not even half as altered as Gimli.
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