Using Shelob, and choice of cliffhangers - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 07-04-2005, 05:36 AM

Followed Tolkien's timeline; did not follow Tolkien's The Two Towers. It's a choice that had to be made and, yeah, we would moan either way.

The major negative consequence of the director's choice is that Frodo and Sam's story in The Two Towers movie is horrible.

Bêthberry · 07-04-2005, 07:40 AM

Dredging the harbour to build a better port, eh, Eomer?

I think you have to consider the placing of Shelob in terms of the movie concept PJ had for LotR: action/adventure/blockbuster flic. As a creative artist, he has the right to develop his own interpretation, as long as it is marketed as his version of events, of course.

The yardstick for placing Shelob then becomes where will her inclusion best appeal to the kind of audience which favours action/adventure/blockbuster flics.

I think it would just be *too* scary for the general members of this audience (where the XY chromosomes hold the majority--at least, it seems so to this minority XX member) to contemplate an ending with a female, loathesome as she is, to get the upper hand on our young hero. It is inconceivable that a female, even an evilly vile one, could come off with the big climax. Orcs carrying off Pippin and Merry are no threat to the masculinity of those youthful hobbits, but a female, well, PJ had enough to deal with representing Frodo's kind of heroism without inviting that kind of disasterous denouement.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 07-04-2005, 01:40 PM

Of course. That must be the answer.

Elianna · 07-04-2005, 04:02 PM

Am I the only one who, despite the first half of her name being "she" and meaning she, who doesn't usually remember that Shelob is a girl?

Shelob · 07-04-2005, 05:02 PM

You aren't alone Elianna, I do that too...though I've gotten noticeably better lately, like since January...

07-04-2005, 05:36 AM	#1
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Followed Tolkien's timeline; did not follow Tolkien's The Two Towers. It's a choice that had to be made and, yeah, we would moan either way. The major negative consequence of the director's choice is that Frodo and Sam's story in The Two Towers movie is horrible. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

07-04-2005, 01:40 PM	#3
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Of course. That must be the answer. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

07-04-2005, 04:02 PM	#4
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Am I the only one who, despite the first half of her name being "she" and meaning she, who doesn't usually remember that Shelob is a girl? __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

07-04-2005, 05:02 PM	#5
Shelob Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: At the abysmal Abyss Mall. Posts: 276	You aren't alone Elianna, I do that too...though I've gotten noticeably better lately, like since January... __________________ A signature always reveals a man's character - and sometimes even his name ~Evan Esar. Pan for Everyone!

07-04-2005, 07:40 AM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Dredging the harbour to build a better port, eh, Eomer? I think you have to consider the placing of Shelob in terms of the movie concept PJ had for LotR: action/adventure/blockbuster flic. As a creative artist, he has the right to develop his own interpretation, as long as it is marketed as his version of events, of course. The yardstick for placing Shelob then becomes where will her inclusion best appeal to the kind of audience which favours action/adventure/blockbuster flics. I think it would just be too scary for the general members of this audience (where the XY chromosomes hold the majority--at least, it seems so to this minority XX member) to contemplate an ending with a female, loathesome as she is, to get the upper hand on our young hero. It is inconceivable that a female, even an evilly vile one, could come off with the big climax. Orcs carrying off Pippin and Merry are no threat to the masculinity of those youthful hobbits, but a female, well, PJ had enough to deal with representing Frodo's kind of heroism without inviting that kind of disasterous denouement.