January 27, 2004

Re: Multiple People
Tuor

Don’t you hate it when you type a lengthy article and hit submit before you enter your password? Blast! Anyway, welcome back Bob Praz. The most visually stunning part of the movie was when you see Minas Tirith in ROTK after Gandalf and Pippin round the end of the mountains. With the sun shining on it, or reflecting off it I should say since it is the Tower of the Sun. And the shot of the interior of Mordor at the end of TTT is impressive as well. I appreciate the fact they didn't use CG effects just for the sake of using CG, as in Star Wars Episode II. They were tastefully and inconspicuously done, for the most part. There was that part in TTT when Legolas mounts a moving horse from the front, though. And they developed a personality and background for Gollum/Smeagol, making him an actual character instead of a talking CG effect. Not to leave out the acting of Andy Serkis. That's one thing PJ and Co. made the right call on, casting an actual actor for Gollum instead of some random voice person ala Jar Jar Binks.

To Brett C.: Thanks for clearing up the Valinor thing. I just never considered Valinor, Alqualonde, and the other places a part of Aman, nor did I consider Aman to be continent-sized. I do always struggle through the first few parts of the Silmarillion, what with all the names to keep track of, so that's probably why. However, you did remind me how much Gandalf's story has been butchered. I agree Ian did an exemplary job with what he was able to do, but I wonder how much he knew he could have done, seeing how so many of the actors hadn't read the books.

To Elendur: At least someone responded, though enough time has passed I've already found the answer to my own question. I already knew Glamdring was supposed to glow, but I couldn't tell if it was in the movie. It's not. But, they'd probably have to go into the background of the swords more than Bilbo's description, and that would detract from The Hobbit, if ever PJ or whoever is able to film that movie.

Tuor