Is all the "magic" gone?

[The Saucepan Man]

The magic IS there. Maybe different to the books, but there all the same.

I do agree with you, Essex, that there is magic in the films. And I think that it is slightly different from, and not as strong as, that evoked by the books. I found it to be at its most intense when the films were at their closest to my own personal visualisation of Middle-earth. Two particular aspects of the films stand out in my mind: the appearance of the Eagles and the Sammath Naur scene (and its aftermath). I NEVER cry in films, and yet tears were streaming down my face at these points. For me, these moments were almost perfect.

I am not sure that the films created any "magic" of their own (other than the SFX wizardry ). But, for me, they do at certain points powerfully reflect the "magic" of the books, although it is just a reflection - not the "real thing".

[Essex]

OK, examples of magic in the films (i'll use rotk for now)

aragorn kneeling to the hobbits
the beacons lighting up
pippin lust for the palantir
faramir's 'charge of the light brigade' moment, including pippin's song
the painful, melancholy words Frodo narrates in Bag End when he returns home
the look on the hobbits' faces in the pub at the end of rotk
the moment when the eagles carefully pick up frodo and sam
frodo's tear at 'the end of all things'
the smeagol / deagol scene - wonderful!
the look of the Witch King
the Eagles are coming!
gandalf and pippin riding up the levels of minas tirith

there are countless more from all 3 films. the first view of the Shire. the first laugh between Frodo and Gandalf. Gandalf's Fall. Lothlorien. Frodo's smile at the end of each movie.

The music. The acting. The directing.

These movies were FULL of Magic for me.

I have read LOTR countless times since I was a kid and will never tire of it. I cry every time I read it. The same goes for the films. I will never tire of them. That is 'magic' to me.

[Liriodendron]

When I read the books, the "magic" in my mind is rather "pregnant" with possibility. I conjure up some open ended, exciting visuals and then keep moving on. The possibilities are still hanging, ripe with potential.
When I see the films, the "magic" is encapsulated in scenes, which have an ending. A little too *there it is, that's it, it's done*....you know what I mean?
I still really like the films, but the boundaries on them are a little annoying. There's still lots of potential in my mind's eye.

[mollecon]

Is right! I adore the books just as any 'fan' - but the movies work in their own right!

I'm with you Essex! I've been waiting for twenty years for these movies to be made and I have not been disappointed. The look on Frodo's face when he says he will take the ring to Mordor sends chills up my spine just thinking about it. Also, I never thought I would have cried over the death of Boromir.

[ElberethVarda]

I have to say, I read the books like six times before I saw the first movie, so I wasn't happy with the movies at first. But now I absolutely love them. TTT is still kind of iffy for me, but they have plenty of magic for me.

[mollecon]

Heh - I fell for the movie(s) at once...