There's original art, and there's adaptive art. Tolkien was an original artist, a visionary genius. There are few original artists in the world (Mozart, Beethoven, Daugerre, Frank Lloyd Wright, to name a few). There are many more adaptive artists; that is, those who are inspired by the works of others and re-interpret and create according to their own vision. Jackson is an adaptive artist, but his vision is great in its own right. I suggest we appreciate Peter Jackson for his own genius and his films as their own visual/story entities. We will always have the books; now we have the wonderful cinematic experience of watching some of the characters "come to life" on screen. One may be based upon the other, but that doesn't make it any less great. The world can always use another genius - thanks, Peter Jackson!
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