Alternate Board Names: Elwë_Goldenwing and
Iarwain~Ben-adar
(I prefer the board name in which this post is made.)
Gender: Male
Joined: 13 May 2003
Age when joined: 41
Most well-known Titles: (as
Elwë_Goldenwing)
Loon of Lothlórien and
Silly Sinda
General Stance on Peter Jackson's LOTR: Pragmatic with purist leanings.
There is no doubt that the three films are great cinematic achievements, accomplished by the extremely hard work and loyal dedication of a large company of people. This work has achieved tremendous acclaim by both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and by the viewing public across the world.
From a visual standpoint--and motion pictures are most certainly a visual medium--the films are breathtaking. The work of the designers, artists, craftspeople, and technicians are incredible, and the beautiful land in which the films were shot, New Zealand, makes for a very convincing Middle-earth. It’s very evident that a great deal of thought, planning, and love went into creating this fantastic world of Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, and Men.
I’ve heard nothing but expressions of respect and admiration from the people who worked with Peter Jackson, the mastermind and driving force behind the creation of the films. The mind boggles when one considers the amount of time and energy he spent making these films. To his credit he did keep in mind the desires of long-time fans, and it is a sign of great wisdom that he did not not allow that to deter him in his attempt to make three great films. Whether or not he achieved artistic greatness is a matter of personal opinion, of course, but if commercial success is a measure of greatness than the films are very great indeed.
Long time fans of Tolkien’s work—I have loved
The Hobbit and
The Lord of the Rings since my mother first introduced me to them in or around 1973—naturally have their own thoughts and feelings of the Jackson/Walsh/Boyens film adaptation that may or may not precisely coincide with anyone else’s. I find that my own personal thoughts are ever evolving.
At this point in time my personal favorite moments seem to coincide with the moment that are closest to the book. I am uncertain if that is a result of them being more familiar to me, or whether that is indicative of Tolkien’s genius for the dramatic.
After viewing each of the films several times, and listening to the accompanying commentary and supplemental material provided on the DVD appendices, I am inclined to think that there are instances where Jackson placed too much effort on improving Tolkien’s story rather than merely interpreting and telling it. Certainly changes were necessary to edit and adapt the stories for film, but numerous small changes, e.g, line swapping, invented character arcs, and so on seem to have accomplished little more than change for change sake rather than actual improvement. I will say that some of the changes made the characters more believable or “real” (if that term is suitable to a fantasy piece), and thus probably strengthened them in the minds of many viewers, particularly if those viewers prefer their heroes to have many of the foibles and weaknesses they themselves possess.
I have the notion, too, that Jackson felt the need to “pump up” the story to make it more dramatic and exciting. Perhaps this is a commentary on the short attention span of many modern audiences. I personally would have liked to have seen more of the quiet dignity of Tolkien’s original work portrayed in the films. While this aspect was not totally neglected in Jackson’s films, there were certainly moments where honor and dignity were, in my opinion, inappropriately cast aside.
Overall, I’ve very much enjoyed the films and will likely continue to enjoy them for many years to come. Before the release of the films I was already in the habit of reading
The Lord of the Rings at least once a year. Now, aided by participation in message boards and fan sites such as TORC, my knowledge and appreciation of Tolkien's works and Jackson’s has greatly increased. I am indebted to many of you for enlightening me, and inspiring me to explore beyond what I would have otherwise.
Description: Silly and increasingly more enigmatic (intentionally)
I'm probably best known for my staunch defense of the inclusion of Tom Bombadil in Tolkien's book. When it comes to either standing with Tolkien
Tom Bombadil is not an important person--to the narrative...he represents something that I feel important, though I would not be prepared to analyze the feeling precisely. I would not, however, have left him in, if he did not have some kind of function.
or standing with the cynics, I will stand with the Professor.
Comments: It is understandable that some people would want to retain cherished memories of people they’ve become acquainted with in cyberspace. However, I disagree with the premise of the thread that the
Movies – Lord of the Rings forum has become like Westernesse, with Elendil and his sons having fled the island as it is being consumed by the Sundering Sea. I am hopeful and, considering the potential profits to be made (always a strong incentive for studios) and Peter Jackson’s and some of the actors’ expressed desire to make the film, even optimistic that
The Hobbit will be adapted to film. This will undoubtedly set off a whole new wave of niggling and nit-picking over the merits of Jackson & Company’s work.
I would like to say that I am enjoying this new era of “M00bies”. Despite some residual hostilities related to the purist/pragmatist/revisionist debate, overall the members posting to this board are much friendlier than when I first encountered it. Perhaps it is the King’s Men who have fled Númenor, leaving the Faithful to enjoy the peace that must be attributed at least in part to the wise governing of the Valar-like Moderators and Administrators? Whatever has transpired, I like it.
