Good Changes

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I heard some people grumbling about how Merry's injured and he's not supposed to be out there. But I like the visual symbolism, plus I felt Aragorn's speech and the entire scene was done well. I absolutely loved how when Aragorn said 'For Frodo' Merry and Pippin were the first one's to charge out there. With only Pippin there (as it was done in the books) I don't think the scene would have been as effective.

If I may quickly state, I'm one of those people who argue he shouldn't have been out there, and I still hold to that because it diminishes Pippin's accomplishment(s) of "growing up" and being able to do things for himself and without Merry. Maybe that's why PJ threw the beacon scene in there? Who knows. But as for my two cents:

1) Perhaps not cinematically necessery, but I think PJ's change of Gandalf being knowingly aware of the danger that resides in Moria instead of Aragorn as in the book is more reasonable. Although in the book it shows that even Gandalf makes mistakes, in the movie it just wouldn't really make sense, as Aragorn nor Gandalf had been completely established in character at that point. But still, I think Gandalf should have been aware all along. I suppose in the book Aragorn knowing or "warning" Gandalf of the danger in Moria is to show some kingly power of his, but it just seems more fitting to me that Gandalf should know it before Aragorn.

2) The Council of Elrond. I just love the way the film portrays it, and I'm talking mainly about when each member rises up to become part of The Fellowship, because I like everything else better in the book---the long discussions of what has been, the stories and opinions of all present. You get chills when each of the characters gets up to claim his spot in The Fellowship. More exciting than Elrond deciding who will go some time after, and knowing that the only reason Boromir and Aragorn went was to go back to Minas Tirith, not really for the spirit of carrying "the fate of us all", although they did that as well.

There are some more, and if I think of them I'll get back to you.