Elwen
Lorien
Aug 13 2013, 7:18pm
Views: 2531
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I think those last three questions warrant answering...
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and I wish I could see more people's answers to them.
I will answer them, but let me start by saying that I loved FotR, was disappointed in TT but still enjoyed more than half of it, but by RotK, despite loving some scenes, I was feeling really let down. I did as so many on here encouraged me to: "Trust PJ." And I did, after the first film, but that trust waned somewhere between Faramir letting his men beat Gollum and Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli running from the skull avalanche. By the time AUJ came out, I was a skeptic, but still was very excited.
Once again, there were bits that were amazing. Bag End for example, I loved. I didn't care for PJ's interpretation of Goblintown, but it was a very interesting interpretation, and he's entitled to the artistic license. That said, I thought the stone giants were very silly and laughable, and really the whole ending with the wolves and trees and Azog just made me sad, because the (IMO) perfect image of Gandalf throwing flaming pinecones is completely obliterated by the ensuing overdrawn, made up fight scene.
So at what point had PJ gone too far? Well I think that is different for everyone. For me, it's when characters behave in a way they never would have in the books. Sam agreeing to leave and actually climbing down the steps for example, or Faramir at least starting to take his father "a mighty gift." I actually don't know that we've seen that yet in The Hobbit. Things have galled me (see the Rock'em Sock'em Stone Giants) but I haven't seen anyone behave out of character, except possibly Bilbo in the above mentioned fight scene. I'm not sure Bilbo was quite "there" yet.
It's blatantly disrespectful if it ever goes counter to the spirit of the book. That's a heavy charge to level. Do I think it's been as respectful of the book as so many people affiliated with the production keep saying it is? No, not even close. But it hasn't been blatantly disrespectful yet. Some things, like the beauty of the simple hobbit life, PJ & Co. have hit right on the head. If that wasn't portrayed in the sympathetic way it was, and was instead looked down on, that would be disrespectful.
I don't think I've reached my tipping point yet. I see a tipping point as where I can't take it anymore and I won't watch the movie at all. For example, I can fast forward over the stone giants bit, or the premature hero Bilbo defense of Thorin at the end of AUJ, and enjoy most of the movie. If however, I'm treated to any of the more far-fetched rumors we've heard (read: zombie anything, Mary Sue elves in love with dwarves, etc) that might be a harder sell for me to ever watch the film again, which would make me sad.
Tauriel: So let me get this straight sir, this Elwen girl is back on something called TORn, and rather than just tell her to stop stalking you, you'd like me to show up in a movie I have no business being in as a ploy to distract her, and nevermind the wrath of countless Tolkien fans who will be calling for my destruction?
Legolas: That about sums it up. Besides, some people might like you. Oh, and to be on the safe side, can we pretend to be a couple too?
(This post was edited by Elwen on Aug 13 2013, 7:19pm)
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