May 9, 2002

Be Content
Scooter

This is my first time writing an entry for this forum, so bear with me, please.

First, let me announce that I was once a "Tolkien Purist." I used to flip through the Tolkien calendars and gripe about the color of Legolas's hair, the positioning of Fingolfin's standard, etc. Tolkien's stories have been important to me since I was in Jr. High school-- so important that the slightest error from what I thought of as Tolkien's vision was irritating. I know that many people who frequent this site feel the same way as I did.

But I realized something one day that seems like it should be common sense but is not-- if I want unadulterated Tolkien I GET IT FROM THE BOOKS.
Anything is is NATURALLY filtered through the mind and hearts of other artists-- and THAT'S O-KAY! In fact, even my reading of Tolkien is filtered through the mind of another-- me!
When I saw FOTR, I was far from dissappointed. Was it like reading Tolkien? No. It was watching Tolkien filtered through PJ and others. Furthermore, it ws true to Tolkien EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS NOT EXACT.

And so, I guess I say, "BE CONTENT!" A creative team of artists made a film centered on a story we all love. The film is great; it was nominated to ump-teen academy awards! Is it a filtered form of Tolkien, of course, but-- that's okay!