[Nuranar]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Hugo Weaving is perfect as the elf lord.<BR>Intense, uptight and regal. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><I>Exactly</I> what I was thinking, KingCarlton. Somehow I could never visualize Elrond as the genial, benevolent host of Rivendell. The majesty and power and ancient wisdom he seemed to project in the movie awed me and actually caused me to admire him. As for him sounding bitter about Men, as Vinyamarien said, he's seen the race of men decline into weakness. When he said "Men are weak" I too kind of cringed (being of the race of Man) but it's true; there was really no longer a great kingdom with which the Elves could ally themselves, with which they could be wholly one in purpose.<P>Yes, Lhunbelethiel, I loved seeing him in battle! It is also a way to keep him from being seen as the elf-lord who's day is past. To see what he has done and what he knows...it just fills me with awe.<P>And for someone who's been around as long as he had and seen as much pain and grief as he had, I can certainly understand him being somewhat "gloomy." I've read the Silmarillion only once (I'm intending to read it again...but AFTER finals!) but it certainly made <I>me</I> feel a bit gloomy.<P>I don't really know, this is just my two cents. But Elrond never struck me as being creepy; he struck me as majestic, sad, and full of wisdom. I actually liked him a lot!