So I finished watching TTT...
Jul. 16th, 2011 02:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladyofleithian...and it was really, really good! :D
Things I Loved:
-The Battle of Helm's Deep. Oh my God...
-Though the action scenes were indeed awesome, Peter Jackson didn't forget to add in moments of quiet and calm to make us care about our characters. And even humor, such as between Legolas and Gimli (the Orc killing contest comes to mind. XD) and Merry and Pippin (at the end when they're going through Saruman's stash and find out that he's been secretly smoking pipeweed). Even Frodo and Sam get their moments, such as at the end when they've said goodbye to Faramir and are heading towards Mordor.
-Speaking of Saruman, dude was terrifying. And even at the beginning of ROTK (although his scene was sadly cut from the theatrical version, it still lives on in the EE); just listen to his dialogue as he taunts the Fellowship and it's pretty damn clear he doesn't care about who gets hurt as long as he gets what he wants. What's even scarier, IMHO, is his taunting Gandalf about Frodo, and how, as Saruman says, he's manipulating the Hobbit into being the Sacrificial Lamb for Sauron -- just look at Ian McKellen's eyes and you can see that while he's trying to keep his composure (and succeeding -- I doubt I would have been able to keep calm in Gandalf's position. I probably would have started screaming) it's visibly hurt him. Same with Theoden when Saruman basically uses his time manipulated by Grima against him ("You are the lesser son of greater sires" -- which pays off at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields). Not to mention his treatment of Grima (and it's even worse in the book, when he basically takes over the Shire and turns it into an industrial hellhole), and his almost Frollo-esque desire to wipe out the race of Men. But at the same time, the filmmakers emphasize that in a way he is a tragic character -- Gandalf, for example, says that he was "deep in the enemy's counsel", and Treebeard mentions how he and Saruman used to be pals, basically. Even so...*shudders* At least Dooku had the benefit of trying to do the right thing, fighting against a Republic he perceived as corrupt -- Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan (and the others) happened to be caught in the crossfire.
Saruman was mostly out for himself -- even Tolkien himself basically said that he'd been jealous of Gandalf ever since he, Gandalf and the other wizards were sent to Middle-Earth. I wouldn't say he was "born evil" per se -- it's too simplistic -- but Jesus Christ... 0.0.
So yeah...Saruman scares me, can you tell? XD
-Faramir's character arc, especially him going from wanting to use the Ring to defend Gondor (and make his father proud of him while he's at it) to wanting to keep Frodo safe. Even if his treatment of Gollum was a little mean (then again, let's say I feel sorry for Gollum, really...). Then again...YMMV.
-Gollum. Just...Gollum. Andy Serkis is completely fucking awesome. Seriously. :3
Things that bugged me a little:
-I was a little miffed that Eowyn didn't get to fight at Helm's Deep. On the other hand, it probably makes her ultimate character arc in ROTK all the more powerful. TTT was mostly set-up -- ROTK has the most payoff (fun fact: ROTK's actually Peter Jackson's favorite installment in the (book) trilogy).
All in all, can't wait for ROTK! :D
Things I Loved:
-The Battle of Helm's Deep. Oh my God...
-Though the action scenes were indeed awesome, Peter Jackson didn't forget to add in moments of quiet and calm to make us care about our characters. And even humor, such as between Legolas and Gimli (the Orc killing contest comes to mind. XD) and Merry and Pippin (at the end when they're going through Saruman's stash and find out that he's been secretly smoking pipeweed). Even Frodo and Sam get their moments, such as at the end when they've said goodbye to Faramir and are heading towards Mordor.
-Speaking of Saruman, dude was terrifying. And even at the beginning of ROTK (although his scene was sadly cut from the theatrical version, it still lives on in the EE); just listen to his dialogue as he taunts the Fellowship and it's pretty damn clear he doesn't care about who gets hurt as long as he gets what he wants. What's even scarier, IMHO, is his taunting Gandalf about Frodo, and how, as Saruman says, he's manipulating the Hobbit into being the Sacrificial Lamb for Sauron -- just look at Ian McKellen's eyes and you can see that while he's trying to keep his composure (and succeeding -- I doubt I would have been able to keep calm in Gandalf's position. I probably would have started screaming) it's visibly hurt him. Same with Theoden when Saruman basically uses his time manipulated by Grima against him ("You are the lesser son of greater sires" -- which pays off at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields). Not to mention his treatment of Grima (and it's even worse in the book, when he basically takes over the Shire and turns it into an industrial hellhole), and his almost Frollo-esque desire to wipe out the race of Men. But at the same time, the filmmakers emphasize that in a way he is a tragic character -- Gandalf, for example, says that he was "deep in the enemy's counsel", and Treebeard mentions how he and Saruman used to be pals, basically. Even so...*shudders* At least Dooku had the benefit of trying to do the right thing, fighting against a Republic he perceived as corrupt -- Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan (and the others) happened to be caught in the crossfire.
Saruman was mostly out for himself -- even Tolkien himself basically said that he'd been jealous of Gandalf ever since he, Gandalf and the other wizards were sent to Middle-Earth. I wouldn't say he was "born evil" per se -- it's too simplistic -- but Jesus Christ... 0.0.
So yeah...Saruman scares me, can you tell? XD
-Faramir's character arc, especially him going from wanting to use the Ring to defend Gondor (and make his father proud of him while he's at it) to wanting to keep Frodo safe. Even if his treatment of Gollum was a little mean (then again, let's say I feel sorry for Gollum, really...). Then again...YMMV.
-Gollum. Just...Gollum. Andy Serkis is completely fucking awesome. Seriously. :3
Things that bugged me a little:
-I was a little miffed that Eowyn didn't get to fight at Helm's Deep. On the other hand, it probably makes her ultimate character arc in ROTK all the more powerful. TTT was mostly set-up -- ROTK has the most payoff (fun fact: ROTK's actually Peter Jackson's favorite installment in the (book) trilogy).
All in all, can't wait for ROTK! :D
no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 10:29 pm (UTC)TTT had Helm's Deep and the sight gag of all those tall fellows at the battlements, and then we see just the top of Gimli's helmet, ha. And Legolas' skateboarding down the steps, woohoo! I agree that Eowyn's presence was setup and rounded out her character, in that she is /shown/ being a leader, leading her people to shelter. Then we see her as a bodacious warrior later.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-16 10:37 pm (UTC)TTT had Helm's Deep and the sight gag of all those tall fellows at the battlements, and then we see just the top of Gimli's helmet, ha.
XD. Poor Gimli. Also love "Shall I describe it to you, or would you like me to find you a box?" *Gigglesnort* I think it also says volumes about their developing friendship, considering that in FOTR...Gimli would *not* have let Legolas get away with that statement is all I'm saying. :)
And very good point about Eowyn! :D You didn't necessarily have to put a sword in her hands to make her strong and kickass; she already showed her abilities as a leader. :) It's only later that she takes up arms to defend her uncle -- and it is *awesome*. :)