Posted on 12/22/2001 5:46:05 PM PST by Texas2step
Being a hollywood movie, I really expected any Christian allegories to be glossed over or partially hidden. Instead of diminishing any allegories, Jackson really enhanced them. The one thing that stood out to my wife (who, again, has not read the books) was the transformation that came over various characters when "tempted" by the ring - Gandalf near the beginning, Bilbo in Rivendell, Galadriel in Loth-Lorien, and Boromir. That "flash" and struggle is our sin nature. We want fleshly power. Only Frodo seemed mainly immune to the rings sway, but not completely.
Then there's Gollum's absolute obsession with the Ring. That he'd go to any lengths to obtain it, and any depths to "protect his precious". How sin corrupts us and turns us into something hideous and ugly.
And we could go on and on. To me, the Christian allegories are as strong, if not stronger, than the actual words in Tolkien's book. Part of this is just the visual demonstration of the rings effect.
I cannot wait to see it again and share this experience with my daughter.
"What you will see, if you leave the Mirror free to work, I cannot tell. For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be. But which it is that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell."
I'm really glad to hear that the DVD will have an hour of extra footage. Maybe Jackson can sneak in all those little scenes that although they may not be necessary for the narrative still add a lot of flavor to the story. Namely more time in Lothlorien, the presentation of the weapons to the fellowship, more time wandering through the halls of Moria etc.
I loved the casting, John Rhys-Davies as Gimli is freakin' brilliant(though the script shortchanged his character). I knew the lack of a normal Hollywood ending was going to bother some people but maybe that lack of closure they feel will result in anticipation for the next installment. Can't wait to see more Gollum and can't wait to see the Ents marching on Isengard!
I guess the biggest compliment I can give the movie is that it has inspired me to reread LOTR for the first time in 15 years.
On a funny note: During that one scene where they are walking single file over a rocky hilltop the words from that stupid Burger King commercial popped into my head "They're not just to behold, they're to be held!" and I had to stifle a guffaw.
I didn't see any poor special effects. None. The balrog did not meet my expectations, however. I expected to be frightened.
That's the problem, though: it is very difficult for any special effect to live up to the subconscious fears built up in your memory from reading the actual text. Tolkien doesn't tell you a lot about what a Balrog looks like; the ambiguity is more frightening than seeing the actual thing.
To be really frightened, I would have to feel the blast of heat from the Balrog on my face, and feel the earth shake beneath my feet as it approached! The actor playing Gandalf made the scene work, though, by conveying with his face that he knows what is coming, and that even he, a powerful wizard, is afraid. It was definitely a case of good acting, and not just special effects, making the scene work.
As it was, I felt that Weta did an excellent job of rendering a Balrog: I believe the wings were there, but understated. Weta interpreted the cloud of darkness around the Balrog as a kind of ash- or soot- cloud which covers and obscures the Balrog, except when the Balrog bursts into flame. I especially liked their rendering of the Balrog's firey sword and firey whip.
I really liked the part where the Balrog is falling, Gandalf is turning away thinking he has triumphed, and we see the flaming whip from below in the darkness, slowly turning and curling around and about to snap and rise up.....it was perfect; even knowing what was about to happen, it felt perfect.
The scene right after this was perfect too, emotionally it felt true to how I remember when first reading that scene in the books (I'll try not to say any more, assuming there are some here planning on seeing the movie who have not read the books and do not know what happens on the bridge with the Balrog).
I have to say, as a lifelong LOTR reader and fan, I enjoyed the movie much more on the second viewing. On the first viewing, I was too distracted because I was noticing all of the changes which Peter Jackson had made. On second viewing, I could ignore this and just enjoy the movie as is. I expect it will get even better for me on the third viewing. Can't wait to see the Two Towers in December 2002!
I agree about the scene following the Balrog confrontation. It was heartbreaking, and hours after coming home, I was still thinking about it(helps to have the music.)
I thought they got Janet Reno to play the troll! :)
The orcs seem to have been ripped off from the swamp witch in "Legend"
That's what happened to me on first viewing too. I'm going to see it again this afternoon. I was going to wait and see it with my sister but...the Ring!...must...go...see movie.
1)Rivendell- where was everyone, don't elves live there? The place was depicted as a beautiful ghost town.
2)Council of Elrond- Major part of the first book that introduces all characters and informs reader of how all of Middle-Earth is under assault. Instead of having urgent reasons for consulting with Elrond, everyone just sort of shows up, as if for work.
The depiction of the battle of the Last Alliance where the Ring is taken from Sauron should have been saved for this part of the movie, instead of at the beginning.
3)The Ending- Aragorn says, "let's go hunt some orc".
Ahhh!!!!
Another garbage fantasy movie. Right. Even people who didn't enjoy it would hardly place it in the cellar with such stinkers as Dungeons and Dragons and Legend.
I don't care if someone doesn't like it, but then you bring in Ben Hur? Ben Hur was great, but I never cried or felt much in the way of strong emotions during that film.
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