So, Best and Worst Characters?

[the phantom]

Bilbo was great, as was Boromir, Gandalf, and Gimli. I'll probably have to go with Boromir as the best since he's one of my favorite book characters. Sean Bean did an awesome job.

I didn't particularly like Faramir, Elrond, Arwen, and Galadriel. I think that Wenham did a great job with the part that he was given, but his part stunk. They should've stuck with the book on Faramir.

They also strayed too far from the book with Arwen. Movie Arwen wasn't the real Arwen, plus I agree with Lalwende that Liv was wooden and expressionless. The only thing she had going for her was first rate looks.

Elrond was also different from the books (and in most cases "different from the books" translates to "worse than the books"). He was mean, stubborn, and irritable in the movie. There was almost zero warmth, except at the end when he came to Minas Tirith and then he just looked cheesy.

My main beef with Galadriel was her looks. Galadriel was supposed to be tied with Arwen for the most beautiful living being in all of Middle-Earth. She sure didn't look it. Cate's a good actress and all, but they should've cast somebody more stunning for Galadriel.

So, who's the worst? Elrond narrowly beats out his daughter, Arwen, probably because I didn't expect much of Arwen, where as Elrond I expected an awful lot out of because he's my favorite character in Lord of the Rings. I was very disappointed.

It's not Hugo's fault though. He did what he was told. I blame this one on PJ.

[Linnahiril Tinnufinwen]

My favorite character, both in the books and the movies, has been and always will be Samwise Gamgee. He is such a wonderfully simplistic, honest, devoted Hobbit. Sean Astin did a great job in portraying him, and I think he was one of the better actors in the film.

My least favorite character would have to be Gollum. I understand that most of his evil greed came from the corruption the ring instilled in him, but he still struck me as an ugly, nasty, coniving little thing. Perhaps I'm too little sympathetic, but I can't help it. I truly don't like him, although he might is one of those characters that you are meant not to like.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I understand you wouldn't like to invite Gollum over for dinner, but that's not really the question. Did you think the character was inadequately portrayed in the film?

[Linnahiril Tinnufinwen]

I apologize. I must have misunderstood the question at first. But to answer your question, I think Gollum was excellently portrayed in the movies. Andy Serkis truly brought the character to life in so many more ways than just the voice. He was perfectly cast, in my opinion.

My least favorite character, then, would have to be Aragorn. A lot of people would probably disagree with me, but I didn't think Viggo Mortenson had the kind of power and kingliness that I expected Aragorn to have. Don't get me wrong; I think Mortenson is a decent actor, and that his sword fights were cool, but he didn't have the comand that the King of Gondor and Arnor ought to have had. But then, that is just my opinion.

[Morquen]

My favourite character would definitely have to be Elrond... but only for his eyes. To me hugu only really got elronds character in the council of elrond and he seemed a little too emotional in other parts of the movie.

Orlando, for me, portrayed legolas terribly! He exaggerated his abilities too much and he only said things like " a shadow and a threat has been growing on my mind...", " 44, 45, 46, 47...62, 63, 64... how many gimli?! etc." and re-stating the obvious. He's my choice for worst character... and eowyn, she has funny expressions and is whiney... it's only my opinion...

Karl urban really got eomer's character and give him lots of credit. he was really good at his reactions and made a really convincing rohirrim... he's my pick for best character

[Tuor of Gondolin]

While Linnahiril Tinnufinwen makes a good point about movie Aragorn's lack of
"gravitas", I think that's largely a fault of PJ and friends rewriting the character,
especially trying to make him a sort of Hamletish reluctant actor, as opposed to
book Aragorn. Viggo could probably have adequately portrayed book Aragorn.
But I still hold movie Denethor as worst portrayal, both from changes in the
book and a failure to show subtleties in his character and its deterioration.
Remember, Denethor had substantial reasons for not being a fan of Aragorn,
starting from Denethor's youth and Aragorn's (unwitting) competition for
Denethor's father's affections.

[aelithes]

Favourite Character - I will have to second an earlier motion and go with Gandalf. Despite the fact that he's a bit different to the Gandalf of the book, I simply love Ian McKellen's portrayal of both Gandalf the Grey and the White (I think he created two different versions of the same character brilliantly). His description of what happens after death ('the grey ring curtain rolls back... and all turns to silver glass') to Pippin in Minas Tirith is magnificent. If there was anyone who deserved an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor, he (or Sean Astin) would have been it.

Least Favourite Character - Legolas and Elrond. Orlando Bloom, though I do like him (to look at), ruined the character for me. I liked him fine in FOTR, but my opinion about him sadly only declined continually from there. I did, however, like his physical acting, and he made battle scenes quite entertaining.

Elrond - I know everyone says this, but every single time Hugo Weaving opened his mouth, I half-expected 'Mister Ander' to come out. Furthermore, he seemed to be adamantly and emphatically ****ed off all the time... it was that undiminishing scowl that really annoyed me. Like when Arwen is leaving Rivendell by night, and we see the shot of Elrond watching her go, he's scrunching up his face and looking like he's about ready to throw a conniption fit. Certainly not the mature, commanding presence that I imagined while reading the book.

[ArathorofBarahir]

I honestly can't pick a worst character, for me some are better than others, but there is no bad character in the Lord of the Rings. I however enjoy and appreciate some characters better than others. Aragorn has to rank up their as my all time favorite. He is everything I wish I could be, selfless, courageous, honrable, noble and knows what must be done to protect Middle Earth. I also enjoy Boromir, proud, noble and a man of his people. Now, some of you are going to hate me for this, but I enjoy Faramir, in the books and in the movies. I think he is selfless, and is a moral and honest man. He is brave, and courageous, but he shows in a more intelligent way than his brother. Gandalf is another favorite, wise, intelligent and very strong, willing to protect Middle Earth with ever fiber of their being. And finally I loved the hobbits. The four main ones. I identify the most with Frodo, in the fact that he selflessly took the up the burden of being a Ring bearer and selflessly did it to save the Shire, but not for himself, but for the generations to come. Samwise Gamgee is probably the first character that comes to mind when I think of or mention hobbits. He's down to earth and very loving. But when what he hold's dear and cares about is threatened he will do just about anything to protect it. Merry and Pippin are great, just because of the way seemed so carefree in the beginning of the movies, and book (sort of) and then went through changes and matured, yet still maintained that hobbit sense (seen in the end of the TTT EE and the beginning of ROTK).

[Rikae]

For the best movie character, I'll second the vote for Gollum - who, incidentally, is a real actor and I'll bite anyone who says otherwise. Everything that's great about him - the way he moves, the way he says his lines, the expressions on his face, it's all Andy Serkis. WETA just did the costume & makeup, as far as I'm concerned. (OK, and the changing pupils, but that's insignificant). My favorite because of the way he is at once threatening, pitiful and humorous. I love the timing in the way Andy says the lines, the voice, everything ... the most memorable character in the movies by far.
My least favorite in the movies is my favorite in the books: Aragorn. Viggo's a decent actor, but he just can't fill Aragorn's shoes. He's too casual, and he lacks the mystery and potential danger implied in first two books and the nobility of Aragorn in the third book. There just isn't enough depth or intensity. Besides, I always pictured Aragorn with stubble, rather than a goatee.

[Elladan and Elrohir]

Just because he's my favorite character from the books, I'll give my vote to a character who, as far as I can see, hasn't yet received a single vote for Favorite: Frodo Baggins.

"How in the world?" you protest. "They picked an eighteen-year-old kid to play him, he does nothing but look scared in FOTR, he leaves Sam behind in ROTK, how do you still like the movie version of Frodo?"
Not quite sure. It's a very different Frodo than the one in the book, but it works -- largely because of Elijah Wood's acting. You can say what you want about the material, but I'm gonna get seriously mad if you dispute the fact that the "kid" can straight-up ACT.

Macalaure, wonderful idea to rate all the characters. Problem for me is that I can't find much to be critical about. I just can't bash these characters very well, for some reason. The acting is the best top-to-bottom that I have ever seen in any movie, anywhere. And I've gotten so used to thinking of the actors as the characters that I don't even question the casting choices.

[Lush]

Best: Gandalf, because Ian McKellen has the right combination of gravitas and compassion. Legolas, because despite the bright blond wig, Orlando Bloom is amazingly charming and, if you can believe it, subtle. I don't just love looking at him, I love watching him in action. Aragorn, for me, is exceptional in the first film. The other two he's great about half the time.

Worst: Frodo, because the role had so much potential, but seemed to steadily deteriorate for me from the beginning of the first film until the the end of the last film. I don't think this is Elijah Wood's fault at all, and consider him a fine actor. I think he did really well with the material he was given. I just think they exaggerated the role up too much - he just stares at the camera with those tragic blue eyes of his for what seems like to be hours. I blame this on poor directing, honestly. They made him do the same thing over and over again, and although he did it well, it didn't work for me in the larger context. I really appreciated it when, at the very end, he's seen back home in the Shire, and his face looks calm. Sad, but calm. It made all the difference.

Also, there is Haldir to consider. What's up with the bad weave? And don't even get me started on the way they had him move and talk...

P.S. Oh, and I love Gollum. Doh.

[ArathorofBarahir]

Worst Character? I don't think any of the characters in the movies were bad, there were just a few that I didn't like. I didn't like Wormtongue or Gothmog and Gamling just poorly done.

Best Characters? Aragorn! Hands down. He was my favorite character from the books and so he was my favorite character from the movies. I loved the way he fought in the movies, his lines and his appearance.

Next I would have to choose Faramir. I can see why they changed him from the book. It made him a little less noble and little more human. I also liked his lines, especially the "Brave Deeds should no be checked with cold counsel," line from the ROTK EE.

After this I'd pick Eomer, I think he was masterfully portrayed and his costume and lines were great.

The four hobbits, I have a soft spot for hobbits. Because I think that's how I would see myself if I were to be in Middle Earth. I think Sam was amazing, the speech at the end of TTT was great, his carrying Frodo up the slope of Mount Doom was just awesome. Frodo was amazing as well, I liked how his deterioration was portrayed. Merry and Pippin were absolutely awesome, especially in Fangorn and at the Entmoot, not to mention their snippets of comedy.


All the other characters were good too, these ones were my favorites