Absolutely spot on, Essex - those moments you mentioned were magical for me too - and there were plenty of magical moments in the earlier films - the Shire, the party at Bag End, Frodo waking up in Rivendell, the journey through Moria, in TTT the ride of the Rohirrim, Edoras...
Someone else suggested Cate Blanchett was too young-looking...? No, I don't think so. Remember, Eomer and Gimli almost came to blows over whether she or her granddaughter was more beautiful.
(admittedly, Gimli was besotted because of her kindness to him, but you don't souvenir locks of golden hair just because of that). And she's an Elf - they are
supposed to look young and beautiful.