[Diamond18]

I've always liked Elijah Wood as Frodo, but I did think there was something definitely <I>better</I> about his portrayal in this last movie. I loved it. It was kind of funny that he seemed to have more strength and determination <I>now</I> than he did setting out "fresh", but by itself I was quite happy with it.<P>I still didn't like him telling Sam to go home, however. It wasn't a <I>horrible</I> change, but I just didn't "believe" it even as an alternate ME movie-universe.<P>He did look to "rosy" afterwards, but to be honest, that was one thing I "hated" about the book. "Hated" in a good way, I mean, as in I knew it was fitting and deep and all, and <I>agree</I> with Tolkien that that's the way it was, but I <I>wished</I> it didn't have to be like that. So I can't really complain about Frodo not looking so bad, because it's what I always secretly wished for. If I had been making the movie I would have probably gone for the really weary appearence and behavior and hated every minute of it. I'm being really hard to follow, I know, but I've always had that ambivalant spot about Frodo. I just can't read the parts about his waning in the Shire after the scouring because it's too sad. I don't really care that non book readers will wonder why he has to leave, after all. I'm selfish that way.