What are your most hated parts about the L.O.T.R movies?

[The Saucepan Man]

I prefer to enjoy the films rather than letting any aspects of them spoil my enjoyment.

Even the Hyena-Lemmings ...

[Dimturiel]

Now, I think I am able to tolerate most of the annoying parts of the movie except for two things. One is Arwen, and I asure you that this dislike is not due to me liking Aragorn a lot-this is an understatement but it does not matter- because I very much admire Arwen from the books. But Arwen in the movie is truly impossible especially in FOTR when she comes puting her knife to Aragorn's throat and asking silly questions. I really hate that scene, it is so unlike LOTR and I am sure Tolkien would have hated it too. The second thing is, of course, the Mouth of Sauron. I mean if the descendant of Luthien attacks a messenger for no reason then what is to be expected from those of lesser ancestry?

[Lalwendë]

Whenever Gimli is turned into the butt of all the jokes! Poor lad!

Messing about with the Faramir storyline.

Dragging out the whole approach and build up to the Battle of Helm's Deep by having bizarre side stories with Aragorn falling off cliffs.

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

On the whole, I think most of the problems I have with Jackson's movies stem from his inability to break away from his horror film background and his compulsion to try to cram as much drama into scenes as possible to the point they become unbelievable and almost laughable (several instances of this with the Nazgul).

It could have been worse though, as I am now picturing Nazgul riding fell beasts, wielding Flymos.

[Lily Bombadil]

Lalwende, I am completely sharing your sentiments. I hate what they did with Faramir, changing his valiant personality! If they hadn't dragged out Helm's Deep, dragged Haldir into it (and killed him, no less!) etc, they could have put the fall of Boromir in its correct place: the beginning of TTT, and they could have put Shelob's Lair in its intended place: the end of TTT. And yes, I was quite miffed that they replaced Glorfindel with Arwen. Eowyn was the only heroine Tolkien intended, I believe, and they ought to have left it that way! Besides, I wanted to see how Glorfindel would be portrayed. And the sad news is, the animated LotR did no better: they replaced him with Legolas! LEGOLAS!!!!!!!!! (funny, because my best friend and I were watching it, and right as the elf who should've been Glorfindel approached, I said, "Wouldn't it suck if they replaced him with Legolas?" And what did they do????) Fools... *walks off muttering*

[Kitanna]

It has always irked me how Eowyn was portrayed in TTT. There's just something about her that I can't get my finger on...though I do enjoy when she rides off to battle. For she was my favorite character in the books, but not so in the movie.

It is understood that certain things must be changed or else the popcorn eating masses would not understand, but somethings are just disgraceful. It has been said many times before so I won't elaborate, but Gimli and Faramir...I don't think I need to say more.

And Boromir summed up Aragorn's beheading of the Mouth of Sauron well. That is no way for a future king to act.

The final thing that must be said is Saruman's death. I wish that it had just been left out of EE. I think Christopher Lee is a wonderful actor and on top of it a great fan of Tolkien and to ruin Saruman's death like that is just...ugh. That of all things has left the worst taste in my mouth. I can barely watch the scene in EE without cringing and mumbling unutterable things.

[The Only Real Estel]

Posted by Essex:

we've been through this bashing (and yes it is bashing) before, so I won't reply to the points raised above as this has been done many times before

I disagree. I think you can have an intelligent discussion about problems you have with the films without turning it into a rage against the screenwriters. Just because the triology was great on the whole (IMO) doesn't mean we have to pretend that there was nothing wrong with it.

But you are right that we don't need to reargue past points that have been made...at least not at any great lengths.

Lalwende's post brought up the constent jokes at Gimli's expense in TTT-those got old fast but I suppose I can get over them. *shrugs*

edit: Lyta brought up Gandalf's handling of Denethor. I did not at all like Denethor's death, nor the role that Gandalf & Shadowfax played in it.

[Lyta_Underhill]

I was also passingly annoyed by that inane speech by Gandalf about how "death comes to us all." Well, in Middle-earth, no it doesn't. Gandalf himself only came to it by happenstance not biological imperative.

Also the "far green land under a swift sunrise" line, while appropriate for Frodo, is NOT appropriate for Pippin, who, poor hobbit, will never see it, and so Gandalf's explanation only points up how alien he is and how far removed from Pippin he really is. It is as if Gandalf is relating a dream that's only purpose is to distract Pippin or comfort him with a "story," as it seems cruel to promise something to him that he will never see.

While I'm on the subject of Gandalf...I think the necessarily rough handling of Denethor's character on Gandalf's part is a direct result of the changes made to Denethor. The 'Villain of Minas Tirith' is much less effective, less noble and merits almost the treatment Gandalf gave him. But this change cheapens the role of Gandalf. It makes him seem brusque and uncaring, and he is definitely NOT! I think Gandalf the White was unfairly destabilized by the alterations made to other characters, and I realize his subtleties can't be fully explored, but he certainly seemed out of character in some ways. Perhaps this is one reason no one seems to like Gandalf the White as much as they liked Gandalf the Grey. Certainly Gandalf's active role in the passing of Lord Denethor rankled!

Not to unfairly beef on Mithrandir, there are many things I disliked and many things I liked, but this one came to mind first.

Cheers!
Lyta