Gimli The Dwarf
Posts: 73474
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Central Park Zoo
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Not wishing to stray off-topic here, but I've never really fully accepted the whole allegory/parallel way of looking at films. I know that films are highly personal and obvious influences and comparisons can be found, but I find all to often people look for hidden meanings that aren't there. You can give a deeper meaning to anything if you want to. On the whole I tend to shy away from looking for such meanings. I once read this regarding Jaws
A deeply allegorical study on the oedipal complex man has with Mother Nature, infused with subtle metaphors and thematic motifs which all hint at the cravings and desires within all humans to become one with their inner beast, and an underlying subtext that symbolises the eternal struggle of good vs evil.
I read that and thought “Or it could just be a cracking good film”. I don’t even know what all that means.
Anyway, like I said, I don’t want to go off-topic, so I’ll stop here.
quote:
ORIGINAL: TheManWithNoShame
All literary adaptations need to be made their own beasts (a maxim that Harry Potter seems to have ignored) and Jackson did make some good changes (I dont think Tom Bombadil could have ever been done justice onscreen) and some bad ones (the aforementioned abandonment of Frodo, and also his baffling trip to Osgiliath).
How was this baffling? It made sense within the information given on screen. Denethor wanted the One Ring to defeat Mordor, Boromir died in the process, so in order to earn his father’s grace and complete his brothers mission Faramir takes Frodo and Sam back to Minis Tirith, getting sidetracked in Osgiliath. Or did you mean the events that took place once they were there?
Anyway, here's what I wrote about the films at the tail-end of last year, in the Mini-reviews thread in F&G. I realise it's far from objective and I certainly don't expect anybody to agree, it's just some thoughts and opinions as to why I love these films so much.
The Lord Of The Rings trilogy
Positives
- Howard Shores wondrous score - I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have never heard a score that so perfectly compliments the scenes it accompanies, yet remains essential listening away from the film. So many separate tunes, in various forms, linked over the course of 10 hours. I'm always amazed that we hear some Gondorian music in the Council of Elrond, yet it never gets a full airing until over 4 hours later. The Fellowship theme is the best bit of film music I've ever heard.
- Gollum - Not only one of the finest CGI creations, but as a character, he is more believable than many real-life ones, with an incredibly expressive and emotional range.
- Ian McKellen - Words don't do justice for how much I love this mans performance. From his arrival ("A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins”) right up to the Grey Havens. McKellen never misses a beat, creating a wonderful Gandalf (two actually). He also has the most expressive eyes, and can convey dismay, panic, acceptance and fear with one glance in ways most actors can only dream of.
- The Ride Of The Rohirrim - One of the most thrilling scenes ever captures on film.
- The Bridge of Khazad-dum - As above, aided by the Balrog, another perfect piece of CGI.
- The sets. - Has a fantasy world ever been so perfectly realised as Middle-Earth and all it's domains? I don't think so. Hobbiton, Bree, Rivendell, Moria, Isengard, Lothlorian, Rohan, Edoras, Helms' Deep, Fangorn, Osgiliath, Mordor and Minas Tirith are all beautifully crafted, A perfect mixture of sets, miniatures "bigatures", CGI and matte work create a hugely authentic world. From the horse motifs of Rohan to the writing on the walls of Moria, the amount of little details is a joy to behold. The basis of much of this comes from Alan Lee and John Howe, and their influence can be felt in every scene.
- Costumes and weaponry - Just look at the BBC's Robin Hood to gain a sense of the importance of costume. All the races are kitted out differently and distinctly - the Rohirrim, Hobbits, Elves, Easterlings, Gondorians etc - and the attention to detail is mesmerising. The weaponry at an authentic edge as well. No flimsy stuff here. The swords, daggers and cleavers used actually do look like they could cause great damage
- Makeup and prosthetics - Uruk-Hai; Orcs, goblins, dwarves, the hobbits, Gandalf and elves all make use of make-up and it looks superb
- Bernard Hill - A close second to Ian McKellen as performances of the trilogy. Perfection. From the possessed Theoden of the Two Towers to the inspiring king and soldier in Return Of The King, you can't take your eyes off him.
- Viggo Mortensen - As above. He is Aragon, and nothing will ever change that.
- Cate Blanchett – Just because
- The rest of the cast - I'm not suggesting that the entire cast is Oscar worthy (as it isn't, although just one Oscar nomination for acting is a disgrace) but as a whole, the cast work perfectly and none of the 20 principal performers ever let the side down. Special mention has to go to David Wenham and Sean Bean. They are excellent when apart but, in just one scene, they convey a lifetime of brotherly affection.
There is so much more, but if I picked up on every thing I loved I'd never finish.
Negatives
There are a few (unfortunately)
- For some reason, when Gandalf arrives at Hobbiton, the scene with the hobbit children shouting "Gandalf, Gandalf" annoys me. It always has, but it gets better with time. Maybe I just don't like kids enough.
- The timeline and geography - Have you ever tried to follow events in the films and create a timeline that makes sense. It's very hard. For instance, if we accept that the events at Helm's Deep occurred simultaneously to Sam, Frodo and Faramir being attacked at Osgiliath in The Two Towers, then Gandalf has to leave Helm's Deep, go to Isengard, get back to Edoras and then take a three day journey with Pippin to Minas Tirith,. That's a hefty amount of travelling, yet when he meets Faramir, he is informed that Frodo & Sam left just two days ago. 'Tis confusing, so I try not to think about it.
That's about it for the negatives I think.
It's been almost 5 years to the day since I saw The Fellowship Of The Ring. Although I'd seen thousands of films before then, it became my favourite film after just one viewing. Over 30+ viewings, countless people trying to tell me I'm wrong and about 2370 more films seen since, it's still my favourite film of all time, and, the film I consider to be the greatest. It is matched only be The Two Towers and The Return Of the King. They are not perfect, as no film is, but taken as one film (as I tend to do as it's the only film series I know of in which it has to be seen in it's entirety) these three films are the most satisfying, most complete, most wholly affecting cinematic experiences I have ever had the privilege to watch. They get more emotional, more inspiring, more engaging with every single viewing, and I honestly cannot see anything surpassing them, and in truth, I hope nothing does. These films have literally changed my life and I will always, always hold them dear. 5/5.
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So, sir, we let him have it right up! And I have to report, sir, he did not like it, sir.
Fellow scientists, poindexters, geeks.
Yeah, Mr. White! Yeah, science!
Much more better!
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Printable Version
RE: The Lord Of The Rings - 
it was The Great Eye and darth Silas.Sorry dude, didn't mean to piss you off or nowt. They didn't really say why they hated it, they just came out and said it and that always really pisses me off when people don't give reasons as to why they don't like a film. It's not hard, i don't understand why people do that..... 
.....soz if i was a bit mean 
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