[Glenethor]

Greetings,<P>This is only my 2nd post here, so I thought I'd jump right into fires of Orodruin with this topic!<BR> <P>I have read the books 25+ times in my life, like many here, once a year. It is something of a ritual now, although I read them twice in the last year in anticipation of the film. Also read 'The Hobbit' and 'The Silmarillion.'<P>I thought the movie was terrible. I thought that the first time I saw it, and I thought that the 20th time I saw it, last Tuesday.<BR> <P>Seriously: I've now seen the movie 20 times since Dec 18th. I think that the criticisms that many put forward here are valid to a certain degree, although I disagree with the conclusions drawn from them. For example, I think McKellan was perfect as Gandalf. The scene in Bag-End where he bangs his head? I think that scene was put in for a bit of comedy, but mainly to strongly contrast the physical size of the hobbits and Gandalf. People who haven't read the book don't know that hobbits' avg. height is around 3'6". The scene of Gandalf and Frodo going through Hobbiton, with the little kids running up behind asking for some fireworks was beautiful. The Shire was perfect. <P>Now, the first time I saw the movie, I came out of it overwhelmed, and trying to digest all that I had seen. I was kinda luke warm to it, and figured I should see it again. So, I went back a couple of days later, knowing what to expect, I just settled in (after a little 'Old Toby') and accepted the movie for what it was: A group of people's interpretation of a book. I love that book. It is my favourite, and I have been a voracious reader since I was 6. I am also a sound engineer and musician, and have been paying attention to how films are scored. So, I've gone back again and again, for many reasons, the least not being to study what Shore did with the music against the imagery. That is what I tell people who ask me how many times have I seen the film. 20 times seems a bit obsessive. 21 will be tomorrow. There is something different that moves me everytime I've seen it: The Shire; The Last Alliance; Rivendell; Moria; I always get the feeling, and this is after 20 viewings, that I have been transported to ME. Yes Bree is a bit dark; Yes, Aragorn doesn't seem at first to be the one to reclaim the throne; Yes, I was kind of annoyed at Frodo backing away in terror at the Witch King; Yes, I was annoyed at all the time spent in Isengard; Yes I was annoyed at the slight obfuscations of plot and thematic development. These were all paltry annoyances, IMO. The characterizations have 2 more films to develop, and I am sure they will. Frodo is more resolute at the end of FOTR; Aragorn has proved himself to be a mighty warrior; Boromir, what to say about Sean Bean's characterization? Boromir is the one membership of the Fellowship who I always had trouble warming up to. He was haughty, and always thinking of how best to please Denethor. PJ made his humanity manifest, and his death scene made me cry (more than once). That was a deviation from the text that actually enhanced the book, IMO. It is the only one I really accept as being 'necessary.' I also have trouble with the pacing and with the editing of the film. It ain't 'The Godfather,' in that regard. Pippin and Merry are going to grow up in the next two films. You have to remember that they are 'barely out of their irresponsible tweens' and they show it, especially Pip. I thought the scene in Moria where Pip twists the arrow and the whole corpse and chest go clanging through the depths of the mine to be hilarious. Yes, it was overkill, but it was funny. I also think Gimli got some character development happening in Moria. I think Rhys-Davies is perfect for the role. Galadriel...well, I liked that shot too. I think too many people have this image of the Elves as a race who like to sit around singing songs and baking waybread. They are powerful beings, only partially in the world of ME, and partially in the Blessed Realm. To watch Galadriel go postal like that, well, let's just say that I know lots of women who fit the description that Galadriel gives herself if she were to take the Ring: She knows full well the power of the Feminine to bind men to its will, and, as I've said, I've known a few women who were 'more treacherous than the sea!Stronger than the foundations of the earth! All shall love me and despair!' I even told an ex-girlfriend that she should've tried out for the role of Galadriel. Yes, Lothlorien was spooky, unearthly. The track from the soundtrack, 'Lothlorien' is spooky, and it is probably my favourite song from the movie.<P>So, to sum up a barely coherent post (it is 6 AM), I have a number of problems with the adaptation, but I love the movie. I really feel sad for people who want to retch when they think about it. I really do, because I doubt this will be done again in our lifetimes.<P>============================<BR><I>"I know less than half of you as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you as well as you deserve."</I><p>[ December 02, 2002: Message edited by: Glenethor ]