Things I disliked about RotK
Jan. 3rd, 2004 09:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
owlI missed the Scouring of the Shire, which showed in the book that the hobbits had really grown up. And Gollum's moment of almost-repentance, instead of which we got the Mystery of the Missing Lembas, with Wilful Distortion of Frodo's character. Nobody said the Ring made you stupid. I really missed the hobbits together in Shelob's tunnel. I know that not everything in a book can be translated successfully to screen, and I'm not up in arms about the exclusion of Tom Bombadil, but surely 'adaption' shouldn't mean 'change of all themes in original work'? Likewise the changed Steward Family dynamic and Blazing Denethor (TM), Action Figure now available, buy one today and get Gratuitously Violent Gandalf thrown in for half-price! Less is more, Jackson. But I thought a horror movie director was trouble.
Under the same head, the Flaming Palantir (TM) and Arwen's apparent link to the Ring. I want to make a Phantom Edit and take out the whole scene.
Also some minor nitpicks and plot holes big enough to drive a Mumak through.
First, the Corsairs' ships. While they looked suitably buccaneering with an Arab dhow touch to the sails, Jackson didn't seem to hiring anyone who could actually sail on his team of experts. We're expected to believe the ships sailed close-hauled fifty miles up the Anduin, apparently without tacking? Maybe the Dead weren't handy fellows with a rope. Also, Corsair ships in Middle Earth come with foot brakes, so it would seem, as they drew up to the wharf at the Pelennor without dropping sail or making any pretence at tying up. There was a reason Tolkien put in the Dunedain and the men of Gondor's southern provinces, you know. Ships don't sail themselves.
And that reminds me: where did the Elves of Lorién go to after Helm's Deep? I can only imagine that Haldir, after plucking that annoying Orc-arrow from his mail shirt, cried suddenly, 'I've left the cooker turned on and the borders of Lorién undefended! Sorry about this, kinsman! I'll see you in Valinor if all goes well, and Mandos otherwise!'
And the loss of the Dunedain and the sons of Elrond with Arwen's banner means that Rivendell was similarly undefended. What did they think Sauron was doing in the North?
This film trilogy had such possiblities...*sigh*
Under the same head, the Flaming Palantir (TM) and Arwen's apparent link to the Ring. I want to make a Phantom Edit and take out the whole scene.
Also some minor nitpicks and plot holes big enough to drive a Mumak through.
First, the Corsairs' ships. While they looked suitably buccaneering with an Arab dhow touch to the sails, Jackson didn't seem to hiring anyone who could actually sail on his team of experts. We're expected to believe the ships sailed close-hauled fifty miles up the Anduin, apparently without tacking? Maybe the Dead weren't handy fellows with a rope. Also, Corsair ships in Middle Earth come with foot brakes, so it would seem, as they drew up to the wharf at the Pelennor without dropping sail or making any pretence at tying up. There was a reason Tolkien put in the Dunedain and the men of Gondor's southern provinces, you know. Ships don't sail themselves.
And that reminds me: where did the Elves of Lorién go to after Helm's Deep? I can only imagine that Haldir, after plucking that annoying Orc-arrow from his mail shirt, cried suddenly, 'I've left the cooker turned on and the borders of Lorién undefended! Sorry about this, kinsman! I'll see you in Valinor if all goes well, and Mandos otherwise!'
And the loss of the Dunedain and the sons of Elrond with Arwen's banner means that Rivendell was similarly undefended. What did they think Sauron was doing in the North?
This film trilogy had such possiblities...*sigh*
