Well duh Legolas! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aganzir · 08-08-2013, 05:18 PM

I've heard the term 'Exposition Elf' used of characters that state the obvious. I don't know how it came into existence, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had originated with movie!Legolas.

Inziladun · 08-08-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aganzir

I've heard the term 'Exposition Elf' used of characters that state the obvious. I don't know how it came into existence, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had originated with movie!Legolas.

As long as he isn't Exhibitionist Elf.

When they can't rely on prose, they have to pick somebody to explain things to the viewers. To echo what Nog said, I would think the Captain Obvious moments of Legolas are right in line with modern film-making, which seems to have the idea that the average movie-goer has the attention span and intellect of a drunken ferret.

Aganzir · 08-08-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

As long as he isn't Exhibitionist Elf.

A large part of the audience wouldn't have minded that either.

alatar · 08-08-2013, 07:32 PM

Nice thread, Elyna.

Captain Obvious must be a revered rank in Middle Earth, as many characters seemed to be fighting for the title.

Think that blondy Legolas just made his bid for the role more...uh...obvious.

Boromir88 · 08-08-2013, 07:49 PM

I haven't watched TTT or ROTK in a long time, but last time viewing FOTR, I did mentally take note of Legolas' lines...I seriously think all of his lines are either something obvious, or something already established by another character moments before:

"He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn"

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond just said...the Ring must be destroyed!"

"You have my bow!"

"Crebain!"

"Orcs!"

Goblins!"

"The horn of Gondor!"

"Frodo and Sam have reached the Eastern Shore!"

The extended edition might be a little more kind to Legolas, but not much. (and yes I imagine all of these captain obvious statements as having exclamation marks.

Elyna of Rivendell · 08-09-2013, 01:00 AM

Thank you so much! Now i know i am not the only on who thinks this about Legolas! I mean yeah he is an elf so i suppose he should be given some credit for that but still...

I agree with your ideas about Legolas being "the explainer" in the movies and as a teenager myself i can see Legolas being needed to explain things for some of my classmates...

P.S. I actually started a thread! Yay!

Zigûr · 08-09-2013, 08:39 AM

It always bothered me that Legolas was given this boring expository dialogue in the films when in the books he's so whimsical and cheery a lot of the time.

"'Farewell!' he said to Gandalf. 'I go to find the Sun!'"

Of course this is not the case all the time, but it's an element of his character I missed. In the books Gimli's often dour and cynical while Legolas is often of a rather more positive disposition and more light-hearted. In the films it's rather the reverse, wouldn't you say, with Legolas being the doubter and Gimli the wise-cracker, even if it's more gallows humour.

08-08-2013, 05:18 PM	#1
Aganzir Woman of Secret Shadow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in hollow halls beneath the fells Posts: 4,511	I've heard the term 'Exposition Elf' used of characters that state the obvious. I don't know how it came into existence, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had originated with movie!Legolas. __________________ He bit me, and I was not gentle.

08-08-2013, 07:32 PM	#4
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Nice thread, Elyna. Captain Obvious must be a revered rank in Middle Earth, as many characters seemed to be fighting for the title. Think that blondy Legolas just made his bid for the role more...uh...obvious. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

08-08-2013, 07:49 PM	#5
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	I haven't watched TTT or ROTK in a long time, but last time viewing FOTR, I did mentally take note of Legolas' lines...I seriously think all of his lines are either something obvious, or something already established by another character moments before: "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn" "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond just said...the Ring must be destroyed!" "You have my bow!" "Crebain!" "Orcs!" Goblins!" "The horn of Gondor!" "Frodo and Sam have reached the Eastern Shore!" The extended edition might be a little more kind to Legolas, but not much. (and yes I imagine all of these captain obvious statements as having exclamation marks. __________________ Fenris Penguin

08-09-2013, 08:39 AM	#7
Zigûr Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 785	It always bothered me that Legolas was given this boring expository dialogue in the films when in the books he's so whimsical and cheery a lot of the time. "'Farewell!' he said to Gandalf. 'I go to find the Sun!'" Of course this is not the case all the time, but it's an element of his character I missed. In the books Gimli's often dour and cynical while Legolas is often of a rather more positive disposition and more light-hearted. In the films it's rather the reverse, wouldn't you say, with Legolas being the doubter and Gimli the wise-cracker, even if it's more gallows humour. __________________ "Since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol Brandir." "On foot?" cried Éomer.

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08-09-2013, 01:00 AM	#6
Elyna of Rivendell Animated Skeleton Join Date: May 2013 Location: Rivendell (duh) Posts: 37	Thank you so much! Now i know i am not the only on who thinks this about Legolas! I mean yeah he is an elf so i suppose he should be given some credit for that but still... I agree with your ideas about Legolas being "the explainer" in the movies and as a teenager myself i can see Legolas being needed to explain things for some of my classmates... P.S. I actually started a thread! Yay!