Why Legolas?

[Kath]

Legolas' somewhat neglected character

The character is neglected because the actor doesn't act! He doesn't stand there looking sad and stricken by grief at Boromir's death, he looks like he's trying to remember whether he turned his hair straighteners off!

As to why he was in the mirror, yes he probably was there just to put him in the film more. Or they may have filmed all the members of the Fellowship, but even in the EE didn't have time to put them in, or they just plain forgot. Or maybe it was to do with the inherent sadness of the Elves.

[Lush]

The character is neglected because the actor doesn't act! He doesn't stand there looking sad and stricken by grief at Boromir's death, he looks like he's trying to remember whether he turned his hair straighteners off!

I disagree. He doesn't have a whole lot of range, but then again, I don't think the screenplay gives him enough room. I think he does well with the material provided for him, especially since he's often the one getting stuck with the lamest lines. Overall, I think he does a nice job of portraying an Elf.

[Parmawen]

Originally Posted by Lush

I disagree. He doesn't have a whole lot of range, but then again, I don't think the screenplay gives him enough room. I think he does well with the material provided for him, especially since he's often the one getting stuck with the lamest lines. Overall, I think he does a nice job of portraying an Elf.

That's true. All of Legolas' expressions are "minorly concerned" or "very concerned" with varying degrees of "extremely concerned", but they don't really allow room for much else, especially since he's stuck with a lot of boring exposition. and how are you supposed to make that interesting? I love it though, because in the movie he sounds like a walking dictionary. ("There is a fell voice on the air," "This is Aragorn son of Arathorn," etc.)

I've also wondered about that scene as well, and I think it was just the mood and meaning behind it. At the time when the scene occurs (not the mirror one, but the one with Legolas and Aragorn talking) Frodo is feeling doubt and confusion, and it's emphasized by the fact that his companions are talking ABOUT him, not TO him, and the shadowy doubt that they could be against him. While we know that Legolas is least likely to take the ring, perhaps the ring made Frodo suspicious of even him, thus putting Legolas in the mirror? I always thought Legolas looked very angry in that scene, but maybe I'm wrong. Also, is the mirror affected at all by who's looking in it? Because, if so, then it makes sense that Frodo's suspicion could take over and portray Legolas as Frodo's mind sees him (albeit tainted by the ring). If not, then I have absolutely no clue why they have that scene with Legolas.