I just don't understand. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Alcarin · 10-22-2006, 05:41 AM

I wonder who will play the elves in The Hobbit Movie. I really hope it's not a ''handsome'' actor, because it just brings the spirit of Tolkien down. People will only go to the movie because people will say: '' Have you already seen that Elf in The Hobbit? He is SO hot, you got to watch it!''
Tolkien can't be forgotten...

Luinilwen · 10-25-2006, 03:49 AM

Ok, my two cents:
1) Yes, I think that casting the character as a teen heartthrob or action hero detracted from the book's Legolas, and even really from the quality and depth of the character in the movie.

2) However, this is not necessarily an evil. If sacrificing some aspect of a character will draw more people into ME, then it is not a total loss. I had never read any Tolkien before the movies came out. I mostly went to see them because Legolas looked hot and there was sword fighting (I'll claim the young and stupid defense). But this introduced me to ME and Tolkien's masterpieces, and now I can't imagine life without them.

Besides, would we have quite so much fun picking the movies apart if PJ had been completely faithful to the book?

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 10-25-2006, 03:56 AM

No; but we would have greater enjoyment in watching them.

Legolas? He was alright. Remember that he is a minor character and so his depiction doesn't have to be criticised too much.

Boromir88 · 10-26-2006, 02:58 PM

Fordim to add to your list there:

FOTR:

'Something draws near. I can feel it!'

TTT:

'They run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them.'

'He was twitching!' (but I admit worse is what Gimli says afterwards).

ROTK:

(during the infamous drinking scene)...'I feel something. I slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me.'

'The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving. He is here!'

'The horses are restless, and the Men are quiet.'

alatar · 10-27-2006, 09:31 AM

Reading the quotes, I'm starting to wonder if William Shatner, of Captain Kirk fame, was the dialogue ghost-writer.

I'm too old to be concerned about 'fan-girls', and I have three of my own, so my dislike for the PJ Legolas character is not from jealousy. It's just another character on a list that weren't used to their maximal effect. PJ could have done more with Legolas, but as the movies progressed, decided that it was easier on the audiences' brains to expect 'one thing' from the elf prince. See Legolas = over-the-top stunt. Make that two things - See Legolas = straight man for Gimli to play off of.

I like Legolas when he's in the boat in FotR listening to Gimli recount getting a gift from Galadriel. Also, though the elf's fighting is fine, again, by the time we reach RotK, there's nothing much more this character does.

Bêthberry · 10-27-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alatar

Reading the quotes, I'm starting to wonder if William Shatner, of Captain Kirk fame, was the dialogue ghost-writer.

Well, Shatner has won a few Emmys lately. Does that mean there is hope for Bloom?

Quote:

Originally Posted by alatar

I'm too old to be concerned about 'fan-girls', and I have three of my own, so my dislike for the PJ Legolas character is not from jealousy.

Hmm. Hmm. Are you sure about that? Not even the tiniest bit? Maybe your age makes you wish you had hair like him and not the receding variety which fatherhood usually brings?

There used to be guys on BD who thought Legobloom inspired everyone to become hairdressers. Yes.

alatar · 10-27-2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Well, Shatner has one a few Emmys lately. Does that mean there is hope for Bloom?

If only every actor could have a career so 'legendary.'

Quote:

Hmm. Hmm. Are you sure about that? Not even the tiniest bit? Maybe your age makes you wish you had hair like him and not the receding variety which fatherhood usually brings?

Hah! I've anticipated your question

. Look at the attached picture of my 'fangirls.' Note the one that is riding on her father's shoulders as he walks uphill carrying her sister. Note how said child uses dad's hair as both a way to maintain her perch and a way to guide said dad. Note hair...

No matter how much they tug, and how many times a day I pull some out, still, it remains (note that, in exchange for non-receding hair I had to give up short-term memory, optimism and congeniality).

And exactly what is a "fan girl?" I assume that we're talking about admirers of the fairer gender of a specific age group? Truly, I am too old and tired to care about the hysteria of those that could be my children. My fangirls greet me like a Hollywood star when I return from work, and also scream when I tell them that cookies are not on the breakfast menu, and so I don't think that Orlando has anything on me there. I do concede that I cannot surf, and I'm at the age where skateboarding is starting to scare me. And, extrapolating, I think that hopping off an oliphaunt would kill my back.

...

What was the question again?

Quote:

There used to be guys on BD who thought Legobloom inspired everyone to become hairdressers. Yes.

Huh?

Folwren · 10-27-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boromir88

FOTR:

'Something draws near. I can feel it!'

TTT:

'They run as if the very whips of their master's will were behind them.'

ROTK:

'The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving. He is here!'

'The horses are restless, and the Men are quiet.'

*grumbles* These are elf-like quotes, thanks much.

Really, would you all have liked him better if he had had the quotes from the book?

FOTR:

'Well, I have not brought the Sun. She is walking in the blue fields of the South.'

'A plague on the Dwarves and their stiff necks!'

I'm not going to search for any others...I've not read the books in a long time and don't remember Legolas' quotes readily.

He made a good elf, I think...except for a few of his stunts, but not even many of those were ridiculous. Alright, yes, some of his lines were laughable, but that's not his fault...and it's not even for his lines that he's made fun of so often.

-- Folwren

Macalaure · 10-27-2006, 05:30 PM

a definite YES!

I'd give a little finger if he said "Only I hear the stones lament them: deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us, but they are gone." or "It is old, very old. So old that almost I feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children." or only "Do not spoil the wonder with haste."

Well, maybe a fingernail.

Folwren · 10-27-2006, 06:53 PM

Well, yes, of course his lines in the book are better, but there are laughable lines in the book as well, if put on screen. It was a question that was almost sarcasm but not quite.

-- Folwren

Estelyn Telcontar · 10-30-2006, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure quoting Legolas

"Do not spoil the wonder with haste."

That is a wonderful line, one of my personal favourites, but can you imagine Peter Jackson, with his rather "hasty" personality, embracing that philosophy in today's society of instant gratification?! I think he did not have a fundamental understanding of the Elves and if you don't grasp something yourself, you can't make others understand it.

10-22-2006, 05:41 AM	#1
Alcarin Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: In your House Posts: 18	I wonder who will play the elves in The Hobbit Movie. I really hope it's not a ''handsome'' actor, because it just brings the spirit of Tolkien down. People will only go to the movie because people will say: '' Have you already seen that Elf in The Hobbit? He is SO hot, you got to watch it!'' Tolkien can't be forgotten... __________________ “By the Way of the warrior is meant death. The Way of the warrior is death. This means choosing death whenever there is a choice between life and death. It means nothing more than this. It means to see things through, being resolved.”

10-25-2006, 03:49 AM	#2
Luinilwen Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Under the shadow of a doubt. Posts: 11	Ok, my two cents: 1) Yes, I think that casting the character as a teen heartthrob or action hero detracted from the book's Legolas, and even really from the quality and depth of the character in the movie. 2) However, this is not necessarily an evil. If sacrificing some aspect of a character will draw more people into ME, then it is not a total loss. I had never read any Tolkien before the movies came out. I mostly went to see them because Legolas looked hot and there was sword fighting (I'll claim the young and stupid defense). But this introduced me to ME and Tolkien's masterpieces, and now I can't imagine life without them. Besides, would we have quite so much fun picking the movies apart if PJ had been completely faithful to the book? __________________ Forever's a promise no love can survive and trust with hearts just don't apply.

10-25-2006, 03:56 AM	#3
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	No; but we would have greater enjoyment in watching them. Legolas? He was alright. Remember that he is a minor character and so his depiction doesn't have to be criticised too much. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

10-26-2006, 02:58 PM	#4
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	Fordim to add to your list there: FOTR: 'Something draws near. I can feel it!' TTT: 'They run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them.' 'He was twitching!' (but I admit worse is what Gimli says afterwards). ROTK: (during the infamous drinking scene)...'I feel something. I slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me.' 'The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving. He is here!' 'The horses are restless, and the Men are quiet.' __________________ Fenris Penguin

10-27-2006, 09:31 AM	#5
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Reading the quotes, I'm starting to wonder if William Shatner, of Captain Kirk fame, was the dialogue ghost-writer. I'm too old to be concerned about 'fan-girls', and I have three of my own, so my dislike for the PJ Legolas character is not from jealousy. It's just another character on a list that weren't used to their maximal effect. PJ could have done more with Legolas, but as the movies progressed, decided that it was easier on the audiences' brains to expect 'one thing' from the elf prince. See Legolas = over-the-top stunt. Make that two things - See Legolas = straight man for Gimli to play off of. I like Legolas when he's in the boat in FotR listening to Gimli recount getting a gift from Galadriel. Also, though the elf's fighting is fine, again, by the time we reach RotK, there's nothing much more this character does. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

10-27-2006, 05:30 PM	#9
Macalaure Fading Fëanorion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: into the flood again Posts: 2,911	a definite YES! I'd give a little finger if he said "Only I hear the stones lament them: deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us, but they are gone." or "It is old, very old. So old that almost I feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children." or only "Do not spoil the wonder with haste." Well, maybe a fingernail.

10-27-2006, 06:53 PM	#10
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Well, yes, of course his lines in the book are better, but there are laughable lines in the book as well, if put on screen. It was a question that was almost sarcasm but not quite. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis