You dare post THAT name!?!?!?
LOL! I actually wasted money on it about two weeks ago so that I could let my daughter see experience it for herself. After we both recovered (she made me watch it with her) we had an even greater appreciation for Jackson's visionary achievement.
-Kevin
Back to the movie vs. film, I am not sure I would have turned poor Radagast into a moth.
And the Saruman in the books is much more unlikable from the start: From Gandalf's retelling at the council:
` "So you have come, Gandalf," he said to me gravely; but in his eyes there seemed to be a white light, as if a cold laughter was in his heart."Yes, I have come," I said. "I have come for your aid, Saruman the White." And that title seemed to anger him.
' "Have you indeed, Gandalf the Grey! " he scoffed. "For aid? It has seldom been heard of that Gandalf the Grey sought for aid, one so cunning and so wise, wandering about the lands, and concerning himself in every business, whether it belongs to him or not."
A pretty cold welcome, and although Gandalf seems to still trust him at first (perhaps Saruman was always a cranky sort) Tolkien told us not to like him much from the start.
In this, I admire the way Jackson warmed him up at first and inched us into trusting him so that we all could see the betrayal as it played out. Nicely done.