“Afraid of dragons”

[davem]

I've just seen the cover for EA Games new Middle-earth game.

http://www.eagames.com/official/lord...ge/us/home.jsp

It shows various characters, including what looks like a female Elf magic user - she has a little lightning bolt coming from her hand. Apparently its possible to play the Balrog character in the game.

Now, doesn't this 'subvert' Tolkien's work? And if it does, why? Is Tolkien's worldview too reactionary? does it need to be 'modernised' & made acceptable? It seems to me that if Tolkien wasn't 'subversive' there wouldn't be this need to change it so much in order to 'sell' it.

Now, not only does the idea of Elves (male or female) being able to cast lightning bolts go against Tolkien's most basic premises, but playing the role of a Balrog would go against his moral values. I suppose turning his characters into action figures wouldn't have pleased him either, but the point is, all these things are subverting Tolkien, turning his work into a sub D&D fantasy world.

If Tolkien's work isn't subversive, why this need to subvert it?

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/tlot...ge/review.html

http://www.eagames.com/official/lord...s/features.jsp