I just don't understand. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Folwren · 10-18-2006, 11:49 AM

Here's a question for all of you.

Why is it that Legolas, from the movie, gets made fun of on account of his good looks, his way of walking, and fighting, and anything else? I could see people making fun of Frodo or Gimli, both of who's characters they managed to butcher pretty well, but why Legolas?

I'm wondering because I have seen soooo many jokes about his hair and him walking like a girl, or being like a ballerina that it's ridiculous. Not to mention the fact that I don't get it. I'm not a Legolas lover, I'm not a fan of Orlando Bloom - I'm just wondering why - when there's nothing really wrong with him in the movie? (I actually think he was done rather well....)

Anyhow, there's my querry.

-- Folwren

Bêthberry · 10-18-2006, 12:43 PM

Jealousy.

Fordim Hedgethistle · 10-18-2006, 01:11 PM

Well...perhaps these excerpts from the scripts will enlighten you...

***

[LEGOLAS looks out over the plains of Rohan and sees that the orcs are taking the hobbits to Isengard.]

LEGOLAS: They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!

***

[ARAGORN explains his plan to march on Mordor and divert Sauron's attention from Sam and Frodo.]

LEGOLAS: A diversion!

***

[At the Council of Elrond, ARAGORN is revealed as the heir of Isildur.]

LEGOLAS (to BOROMIR): You owe him your allegiance!

***

[In Meduseld, the Rohirrim explain the concept of a drinking game.]

LEGOLAS: A drinking game!

***

[In the pass at Caradhras SARUMAN'S voice reverberates amongst the rocks.]

LEGOLAS: There is a fell voice in the air!

Imladris · 10-18-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

[At the Council of Elrond, ARAGORN is revealed as the heir of Isildur.]

LEGOLAS (to BOROMIR): You owe him your allegiance!

Oh come now -- this one is a little harsh. Surely you have said the obvious to someone who is not doing the obvious.

Boromir did not show due allegiance to Aragorn therefore Legolas told him to do so.

As for the others, I'll just say that sadly his lines were left to explain things for those members of the audience who didn't know -- the Isildur's heir and such, a little reminder of who's who for those people who weren't as knowledgeable as some -- and for those who just aren't particularly bright to help point them in the right direction of thought.

Fordim Hedgethistle · 10-18-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imladris

Oh come now -- this one is a little harsh. Surely you have said the obvious to someone who is not doing the obvious.

Leggy-Bopper.

Folwren · 10-18-2006, 02:01 PM

The lines that the script writer gave to Legolas has nothing to do with how he walks and acts and looks. It is not his fault that he had so little to say. The few lines he got he did well.

Besides, it's almost anyone's reaction to put a definision to a new game or thing that someone is telling you about. If someone were to say, "Hey, I know an interesting game where we both run and try to reach that tree over there and the first one wins!" I would probably reply, not stupidly, but observantly, and probably with the thought 'Why didn't you say this?' " A race!"

Really. . .these are all very lame excuses thus far.

-- Folwren

Mithalwen · 10-18-2006, 02:07 PM

well I suppose in the film he is Prince Legolas the Perpetually Surprised - by things that aren't particularly surprising..especially for one who could (presumably) measure his time in Arda by centuries if not millenia. In FOTR he seemed startled by evidence of Orcs in Moria, crows ... just flying in the sky as birds do..not tap dancing or talking or anything wierd ...half expected him to arrive in Lorien and exclaim "Trees" ..and in TTT he was the worlds worst look out despite elvish senses.

To be fair it is quite hard to find ways to make a human playing an elf have that special quality, the otherness, that all the book characters recognize even if they have not had contact with them - and yet remain close enough to humans to make intermarriage not seem wierd. With Legolas, it is hardest because he is one of the company .. can't put him in an aura of light in the same way as say Galadriel (and if you haven't seen the exhibition her dress was so beautifully made that it did seem to radiate light) - he ended up being a bit fey and an disconcerting shade of blonde (shades of Village of the Damned)....

mormegil · 10-18-2006, 03:37 PM

I think there is two problems that make it a larger problem overall.

First and the most obvious is the obnoxious fan-girls who were so wooed over Legolas. It was the 'Oh he's so hot' remarks that annoyed me. It seems that they only were interested in LotRs because of his relative hotness.

Secondly, the over did the Legolas character. He's a good warrior with great bowmanship and swordsmanship but he's not a super hero or super surfer. The shield surfing was obnoxious but most obnoxious to me was the oliphant riding.

They made Legolas be the heart throb, so to speak, and it disgusted me as a fan.

Also Fordim had some good points too.

Edit: Cross posted with everything after Fordim's "leggy-booper" post. I was really busy at work.

10-18-2006, 11:49 AM	#1
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	I just don't understand. Here's a question for all of you. Why is it that Legolas, from the movie, gets made fun of on account of his good looks, his way of walking, and fighting, and anything else? I could see people making fun of Frodo or Gimli, both of who's characters they managed to butcher pretty well, but why Legolas? I'm wondering because I have seen soooo many jokes about his hair and him walking like a girl, or being like a ballerina that it's ridiculous. Not to mention the fact that I don't get it. I'm not a Legolas lover, I'm not a fan of Orlando Bloom - I'm just wondering why - when there's nothing really wrong with him in the movie? (I actually think he was done rather well....) Anyhow, there's my querry. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

10-18-2006, 12:43 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,977	Jealousy. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

10-18-2006, 02:01 PM	#6
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	The lines that the script writer gave to Legolas has nothing to do with how he walks and acts and looks. It is not his fault that he had so little to say. The few lines he got he did well. Besides, it's almost anyone's reaction to put a definision to a new game or thing that someone is telling you about. If someone were to say, "Hey, I know an interesting game where we both run and try to reach that tree over there and the first one wins!" I would probably reply, not stupidly, but observantly, and probably with the thought 'Why didn't you say this?' " A race!" Really. . .these are all very lame excuses thus far. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

10-18-2006, 02:07 PM	#7
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,449	well I suppose in the film he is Prince Legolas the Perpetually Surprised - by things that aren't particularly surprising..especially for one who could (presumably) measure his time in Arda by centuries if not millenia. In FOTR he seemed startled by evidence of Orcs in Moria, crows ... just flying in the sky as birds do..not tap dancing or talking or anything wierd ...half expected him to arrive in Lorien and exclaim "Trees" ..and in TTT he was the worlds worst look out despite elvish senses. To be fair it is quite hard to find ways to make a human playing an elf have that special quality, the otherness, that all the book characters recognize even if they have not had contact with them - and yet remain close enough to humans to make intermarriage not seem wierd. With Legolas, it is hardest because he is one of the company .. can't put him in an aura of light in the same way as say Galadriel (and if you haven't seen the exhibition her dress was so beautifully made that it did seem to radiate light) - he ended up being a bit fey and an disconcerting shade of blonde (shades of Village of the Damned).... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

10-18-2006, 03:37 PM	#8
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,636	I think there is two problems that make it a larger problem overall. First and the most obvious is the obnoxious fan-girls who were so wooed over Legolas. It was the 'Oh he's so hot' remarks that annoyed me. It seems that they only were interested in LotRs because of his relative hotness. Secondly, the over did the Legolas character. He's a good warrior with great bowmanship and swordsmanship but he's not a super hero or super surfer. The shield surfing was obnoxious but most obnoxious to me was the oliphant riding. They made Legolas be the heart throb, so to speak, and it disgusted me as a fan. Also Fordim had some good points too. Edit: Cross posted with everything after Fordim's "leggy-booper" post. I was really busy at work. __________________ When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. -- P. J. O'Rourke Last edited by mormegil; 10-18-2006 at 03:41 PM.

10-18-2006, 01:11 PM	#3
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Well...perhaps these excerpts from the scripts will enlighten you... * [LEGOLAS looks out over the plains of Rohan and sees that the orcs are taking the hobbits to Isengard.] LEGOLAS: They're taking the hobbits to Isengard! * [ARAGORN explains his plan to march on Mordor and divert Sauron's attention from Sam and Frodo.] LEGOLAS: A diversion! * [At the Council of Elrond, ARAGORN is revealed as the heir of Isildur.] LEGOLAS (to BOROMIR): You owe him your allegiance! * [In Meduseld, the Rohirrim explain the concept of a drinking game.] LEGOLAS: A drinking game! *** [In the pass at Caradhras SARUMAN'S voice reverberates amongst the rocks.] LEGOLAS: There is a fell voice in the air!