June 14, 2003

Re: Favorite Changes
Danny

I think the change that I liked most to this point is the Cave Troll in Moria. In the book a cave troll gets about three lines of treatment and then retreats. That would have been incredibly anticlimactic in the movie. That scene is still one of the more enjoyable to watch just to see that giant troll tossing orcs around as it swings and misses Gimli etc. So that is a change that I really like.

The other change that was fun was the souped up watcher. I know people are going to read this post and think I am a sell out to the eye candy and all that stuff. I don't think that I am, but I can enjoy it when it is done well and doesn't absolutely run ammock.

The TTT change that I liked most was probably the addition of Elrond's monologue about what Arwyn's fate would be. It came from the Appendix and I thought it was very well done.

I also enjoyed seeing the elves at Helms deep, and thought Haldir's death scene was good. It kind of drove home how these immortal beings were giving up immortality to aid men and I thought it was touching. (gets all teary eyed 8p).

Least Favorite changes now. On Fellowship it would have to be robbing Frodo of his moment of bravery and courage at the Ford. I don't mind Arwyn so much, but I just wish they had given Frodo the chance to speak with the bold courage he did in the books at that point. I hear too many complaints that Frodo is a scared whiner in the movie, and one or two moments like the ford would have helped change that.

For TTT I think most of if not all of us will agree that the changes to Faramir were the most disturbing. I have already said all that I want to about it, and do defend PJ's decision in many ways even while it bothers me.