*TTT - Overall Impressions - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Birdland · 12-18-2002, 03:27 AM

Well, I for one loved the opening. I sat there and thought "Oh, that's how it all looked!". I mean after all, Gandalf did battle the Balrog, and that's what they showed. Oh, and hey! Balrogs got tails!I know P.J. and others worried about people in the audience being able to follow three story threads, so why did he have to expand it to five?! As well as the usual three, you also have the whole Aragorn/Arwyn pity party scenes, plus the whole Elven hand-wringing "we got to get out of Dodge, to heck with the Men" sequences, and that ungodly long exposition speech from Galadriel. Plus the throwing Aragorn off the cliff just so he could be out there to count orcs and and report that back to Theoden. (Anyone ever heard of scouting parties?) I guess I resent all these extra moments because it took film time away from Frodo and Sam, and it was needed badly. The whole sequence of Faramir's and Frodo's meeting had a rushed quality to it, and I think P.J. frankly butchered Frodo's character. I know this is going to sound funny when referring to a hobbit, but either the director or the actor chose to emasculate Frodo. There was no strength of character demonstrated by him at all. Where's the Frodo that grew in wisdom and could handle himself in front of the lofty Men of Gondor? Gone completely. All that's left is either a wimpy victim or a Ring-wrought psychopath.If Frodo's falling apart this quick, at this stage of the game, what's he gonna be like when he actually gets to Mordor?I know I probably need to see it again, but there were many times in the film when I just wanted to reach out to the screen and say, "Here, let me do it." There was much I loved about the film. Gollum is fantastic! Amazing portrayal. I even liked the way he "gollums"! And the Ents were a joy to see. Merry's fortitude and the realization of what was at stake was very moving. These are all just first impressions, but all in all right now my feelings are mixed on The Two Towers.P.S. - Is it just me, or is that Haldir one pudgy Elf?[ December 18, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

12-18-2002, 03:27 AM	#1
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Well, I for one loved the opening. I sat there and thought "Oh, <I>that's</I> how it all looked!". I mean after all, Gandalf did battle the Balrog, and that's what they showed. Oh, and hey! Balrogs got tails!<P>I know P.J. and others worried about people in the audience being able to follow three story threads, so why did he have to expand it to five?! As well as the usual three, you also have the whole Aragorn/Arwyn pity party scenes, plus the whole Elven hand-wringing "we got to get out of Dodge, to heck with the Men" sequences, and that ungodly long exposition speech from Galadriel. Plus the throwing Aragorn off the cliff just so he could be out there to count orcs and and report that back to Theoden. (Anyone ever heard of scouting parties?) <P>I guess I resent all these extra moments because it took film time away from Frodo and Sam, and it was needed badly. The whole sequence of Faramir's and Frodo's meeting had a rushed quality to it, and I think P.J. frankly butchered Frodo's character. I know this is going to sound funny when referring to a hobbit, but either the director or the actor chose to emasculate Frodo. There was no strength of character demonstrated by him at all. Where's the Frodo that grew in wisdom and could handle himself in front of the lofty Men of Gondor? Gone completely. All that's left is either a wimpy victim or a Ring-wrought psychopath.<P>If Frodo's falling apart this quick, at this stage of the game, what's he gonna be like when he actually gets to Mordor?<P>I know I probably need to see it again, but there were many times in the film when I just wanted to reach out to the screen and say, "Here, let me do it." <P>There was much I loved about the film. Gollum is fantastic! Amazing portrayal. I even liked the way he "gollums"! And the Ents were a joy to see. Merry's fortitude and the realization of what was at stake was very moving. <P>These are all just first impressions, but all in all right now my feelings are mixed on The Two Towers.<P>P.S. - Is it just me, or is that Haldir one pudgy Elf?<p>[ December 18, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]