[doug*platypus]

For me it was more dismay. As in "Peter, Peter, Peter, why?" I wholeheartedly agree with changes to the book, when they are changes for the better. I've quoted a number of improvements that I think have been made, on other threads, as well as all of my gripes about things I didn't like.<P>But I think that in general the changes have confused and complicated the plot (e.g. where is Éomer going?), and simplified or misinterpreted the characters (see the Butchering of Faramir, also Samwise). A lot of continuity errors were brought in as well, and as we all know JRRT was an immaculate perfectionist with regard to continuity. It should be noted though, that I have an incredible amount of respect for everyone involved in the production (especially myself as an Orc extra!) and that I am very glad that the movies are still undeniably watchable, even for such a fan of the book as me.<P>Given the high quality of the source material, and the average quality of the movies, I can't help but think that Peter Jackson is some kind of weird alchemist, who has come up with a way to make cr*p out of gold.