December 11, 2004

I'm back - with SPOILERS
Brett C.

Before you open this article be warned that it contains info on all major additions to the extended cut, releaes here in Australia two days ago.

And sorry I've been away so long - I've been busy with out lataest poject, who is lying in bed next to me and is four months old today - say hello Alexander :)

Anyway, the EE.

Sigh.

Once again, I must endure hour upon hour of my fav character, Gandalf, suffering changes that see him reduced to doddering impotence or having his arse handed to him.

It begins promisingly - the confrontation wiht Saruman is pretty good, considering about 90% of the dialogue is cut. It also confirmed my theory from earlier that Theoden's depressed mood at Edoras is due to Saruman's words to him about not having been the one to save his people.

As noted, Saruman unleashes a fireball, which Gandalf quenches, and then breaks his staff. YAY!

Some new scenes at Edoras - more interaction between Aragorn and Eowyn, and watch for the drinking game between Legolas and Gimli - it's a hoot.

One thing I hoped for, more dialogue from Gandalf about things being set in motion that can't be undone, did not eventuate.

Arwen's dress still changes colour mid scene at Rivendell.

At Minas Tirith, Pippin gets some nice lines with the initial meeting with Denethor.

Then weirdness ensues.

Gandalf gets Faramir's dialogue to Frodo about the decline of the Numenorean's in Middle Earth, which he delivers to Pippin, after a few choice words regarding Denethor's motives. The significance of the White Tree is also further highlighted.

Having given Farmir's lines to Gandalf, the next big change is giving Gandalf's lines to Faramir - after getting back from Osgiliath, Faramir confronts Denethor about the decision to let Frodo and the Ring go. His words a lifted directly from Gandalf's dialogue about Boromir having 'stretched out his hand to grasp this thing'. Nice to have it in there, but coming from Faramir instead of Gandalf it seemed odd to me. F also gets back his line about not using the ring even if Minas Tirith were falling down around him.

Much more footage during the siege - a real CGI treat. Also the orcs trying to get throught the gate with a hand held ram while being mowed down by archers. Gothmog gets even more dialogue, which will please some people but in my opinion just makes the WitchKing even more superfluous - its almost like Gothmog is the James Bond supervillain, and the Nazgul is his deadly henchhman who doesn't say much.

The paths of the dead gets beefed up - deluges of skulls, and the fear factor is cranked up a notch. The corsairs also get some lines - though once again, the distances in Middle Earth are radically compressed - the Morthond Vale now opens out to the Mouths of the Anduin.

For those who hoped to see the Woses - sorry, myybe next adaption. We do hear of Minas Tirith burning from the Rohirrim scouts, and the need to ride through the night. [Incidentally, Theoden says it is a three day gallop to MT from Dunharrow, about the time the orcs are surrounding the city. Even with a night march that would be two days - the seige, as far as I can tell, lasts one day and one night, with Theoden arriving on the following morning.]

Which leads me to my biggest gripe.

WitchKing confronts Gandalf - dialogue from book - WK draws his sword and flames run down it [as in novel]

Then - BAM! Magically shatters G's staff and leaves him unhorsed, helpless, and virtually grovelling on the ground before G is saved by the arrival of the Rohirrim.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Now perhaps PJ has read a different copy of ROTK, or LOTR for that matter, but this is complete crap!

No way does WK outrank G in the power stakes, and as for breaking his staff - well its just rubbish. In any confrontation it would be a grand battle, but in the end G would kick the Nazgul up one circle of the city and down another. And the sight of G actually sprawled helpless and fearful is something that makes my blood boil. I felt cheated - if they were going to expand the confrontation, they could have at least done so accurately, instead of selling out Gandalf for cheap dramatic effect.

Anyway, there is more to come, but I have to sign off now - Alexander and I have to go bounce in his Jolly Jumper.