[Man-of-the-Wold]

Yes..Yes, Gilthalion, the tired 'ole lecture about cinematic needs. Again, I think when one looks closely, one can find instances that arguably amount to unnecessary decisions and failures in the adaptation.<P>I personally have little problem with the Arwen character development. As I noted in starting this topic, it is may have solid if subtle nods from the Books. And, I think it adds something very fine to a Film, which the Books' could treat as mysterious background. The only fault is some of Elrond's overly whinny dialogue.<P>Still, in looking at Film-FR's Council and Moria scenes, as well as those in Film-TT's Merry/Pippin/Treabeard scenes, it is not so much that the storyline departs from the Books, but rather that sophisticated film-making is sacrificed for something bordering on Scooby-Doo.<P>Besides this, I take exception to the treatment of "Men" as all but always "easily corrupted," "lusting after power," weak and so forth, and that only Aragorn is better 'cuz he's on some sort of "anti-power" trip. Uh huh.<P>I'm sure by the end of the Movies, Men will be shown as having overcome these problems, which would be why the New Zealanders have chosen to pound this drum, even if the portrayals of Boromir, Faramir and Theoden are blessedly resurrected in the end.<P>Tolkien certainly had human weakness and so forth as a subtext, but but it wasn't exceptional or belaboured. Clearly, at times, Men are every bit as valiant and noble (if not more so) than other peoples, including Elves.<P>The point is that when Men fail (which they have free will to do), it is not merely for greed or power, but rather at the core is ignorance and the fear of mortality. The Unbearable Lightness of Being.<P>It cheapens not only Tolkien, but also these otherwise excellent Films to demean the Race of Men so bluntly. The audience would have plenty to work with already, and doesn't need this old chestnut, and final victory in the end would not be all lessened or less sweet for lack of such blunt contrast.<P>What is telling are the commentary to the DVD-special edition of Film-FR. Mss. Boyens and Walsh clearly are much more familiar and understanding of the Books, then their consternating Boss-Man, Mr. Jackson. In correcting him, they are also bound to later brown-nose and save face for him.<P>Mr Jackson actually started with Tolkien through the Bashki animation (which he copies more than he admits, and not without good reason, as it has merit). He also laments where he though too late about some other departures from the Book, whereby he could have engineered some other neato special effect. He clearly loves the effects and gruesome stuff for its own sake. Mss. Boyens and Walsh (as well as the Ratings Board) may deserve our thanks for saving these Films from even more gratuitous, throw-away treatment.