Would Gollum have been better unanimated?

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Elladan and Elrohir

I of course greatly respect alatar and others who adore Peter Woodthorpe's performance as Gollum in the BBC radio version, but I found it one of the most unsufferable pieces of the entire whole.

Methinks that you have me confused with another film critic, as I never have anything good to say about anything.

But in this case, I think that PJ got it spot on. Rarely, if ever, did I think that Gollum was not a living breathing soul. When he was beaten by Faramir's thugs, I cringed and felt sorry for the poor wretch. When Smeagol and Gollum debated, I was fascinated. The mo-cap CG work was incredible. Andy Serkis did wonderful work with the voice as well. The sorry thing is that few people will, in later ages, recognize Serkis on the street as 'that Gollum dude.' Hats off to WETA, Serkis and Jackson.