PJ's LOTR--Not fantastic enough?

[Galadriel]

Originally Posted by TheLostPilgrim

Is it just me, or is there a certain "realism" to the feel of PJ's LOTR that takes away the aura of mysticism and magic? Like it feels too real--I can't explain it. Too rough hewn, too "historical fiction"-ish in the look of the locations/sets etc. There's just a certain level of fantastic grandeur missing.

I think the 'fantastic grandeur' was there aplenty in the Shire, in Rivendell and in Minas Tirith; but aside from that, yes, it wasn't exactly Middle-earth. To be fair, though, I don't think anyone could pull off a real Middle-earth, and then it would also depend on people's perspectives.