Extended version of Lord of the Rings

[JessicaS]

Being a huge Tolkien fan I was so thrilled when LotR came out...I enjoyed the movie but felt there was somethings that should have been mentioned in the movie.

Dh and I rented the new extended version of LotR and am absolutely thrilled!! Sure, it doesn't have Tom Bombadil but they added so much!!! I love the movie 100% more now..

[kama'aina mama]

Yes!

We knew it was coming and saved to make it our delux entertainment splurge this month. (And it was actually less than $30 for dvd at Kmart) I expect to get lots of repeat enjoyment out of it, and am really looking forward to the commentary tracks. I LOVED the gifting scene, the scene at the Green Dragon, Aragorn singing about Beren and Luthien, the extended Hobbiton opening... just so much great stuff!!! Still not crazy about this portrayal of Elrond and Liv Tyler still blows like a sperm whale, but what can you do?

[XM]

We *have* to go buy this!! Mike is a total Tolkien geek (sorry... enthusiast) and I was worried that he would find too many flaws in the movie (I have *never* seen a movie that does the book full justice), but he really enjoyed it and so did I (Gollum freaks me out, though, which is why I have yet to read the books). So I am happy to hear that you guys like the extended version even better!

Kama, how would you have liked them to do Elrond differently? Mike admitted that they really did'nt do much background on him... did you think they should have made him 'mightier'? As for Liv Tyler... um, I don't think they chose her for her acting, either... but please don't go offending any sperm whales

[Arduinna]

We watched ours last night and I really like the changes.

[kama'aina mama]

XM... Well, I more have a list of things I didn't like about the Elrond. In part he was written far more aggressively and dictatorial than 'my Elrond' or the one I got from reading Tolkein. my E is far more of a councelor who shares hiw wisdom but doesn't tell people what to do... in fact refuses to tell them on occasion. Tells them they must make their own choices. I didn't care for the way that they made it seem as though Gandalf was subject to Elrond, with Elrond lecturing him, etc. They have made him rather anti-Man, which I suppose is to heighten the tension of the Aragorn/Arwen thing but it still stinks.

What else? Oh! Either the actor has a really limited range or he thought using the exact same very clipped tones and ennunciation he used as Agent Smith in The Matrix was I good idea. I don't think so at all. Elves are very lyrical creatures. Their voices are like music. Cate Blanchett really nailed the whole elven mystique as Galadrial. (And how sad is it that she looks SO much better than her grand-daughter Arwen? LMAO!)

[XM]

Since I have not read the books, I asked Mike to read what you wrote and he agreed about Elrond... and that as you said it was probably more for the plot. We both agree that Cate Blanchett was perfectly cast as Galadriel, though...

...and it would have been so fun to do the costumes for the movie *sigh* they were just beautiful...

[Astrid]

I bought mine today and watching it tonight! Im so glad they put the scenes into the movies rather than just adding a deleted scenes section into the menu. I am a huge Tolkien 'enthusiast'

[Viola]

We just watched part of this last night. I couldn't make it all the way through, and started falling asleep at the point where they met up with Galadriel in Lothlorien. I noticed that there were added parts, but sometimes I wasn't sure where they were because I haven't seen the movie since March. I did like them and was glad they were completely finished as opposed to being roughed out.

Galadriel seems like she's stoned or on downers or something. I pictured her as a little more vivacious in the book, but both Arwen and Galadriel have a similar demeanor, so I guess that was how Peter Jackson wanted it. My husband didn't particularly like the way Galadriel was portrayed, but I liked Cate Blanchett in the role. He liked Arwen's portrayal better, but resents her role in the movie. He's afraid they are going to make her a warrior type of character in the second movie, but she was barely mentioned in the book. Does anyone know what the plans are for The Two Towers?

[kama'aina mama]

I don't know anything about Two Towers, but I share your husbands fear. Dread actually. If they give her all of Eowyns (sp) stuff I may go postal!

Edited cuz I'm NOT sharing Mr Willows's gear... his fear, sure. But I have my own gear.

[Astrid]

I remember hearing awhile ago that Arwen will have a bigger part than in the books but not too much bigger. Eowyn is in the Two Towers and it is supposed to be as close to the book as possible. I think I do remember seeing Arwen in the preview but that was a couple of months ago and I might be wrong.

[Astrid]

From what I understand, Arwens only part in The Two Towers is in Aragorns dreams. I just got my LOTR newsletter (I know - geek alert ) and there were pictures and some write ups from the new movie.

[kama'aina mama]

One more thing that is totally the writers fault... and I was hoping it wouldn't be in the remix version, but it was. At the end of the council, when Elrond says, "I proclaim you The Fellowship of the Ring!" It is just SO cheesy! So aweful and heavyhanded. I flinch. Every time. And since that is the last thing on dvd one it just hangs in the air like a bad fart while you change discs. Ugh!

I hope they don't waste too much time in TT on this romance junk. I might mind it less if la Liv could act her way out of a wet paper bag, but as it is I just get no chemistry off them at all. I'd rather she just popped up at the end, blah, blah, blah, destinycakes....done!

[Astrid]

Originally posted by kama'aina mama
. And since that is the last thing on dvd one it just hangs in the air like a bad fart while you change discs. Ugh!

[heartmama]

My dad just bought everyone in the family a copy of this (at Costco they are 25$).

I had no idea that by "extended version" they meant SO much had been added. I started tape 1 last night and was confused by the very first scenes in the Shire. I kept thinking "Wait, I don't remember this..or this...or this...what is wrong with my memory??"

My father is a huge fan of the books and I was raised on the "Hobbit" cartoon and the books on tape. I enjoyed "Lord of the Rings" in the theater. But from what I have seen on the extended version, it is definitely more rewarding for book fans. OTOH I can see why they left some of this out...the shorter version is less confusing and definitely less sentimental (which is probably good since many moviegoers have not read these books...unlike what could be said for the Harry Potter movie/book connection).

Heartmama

[JessicaS]

I think I agree with the portrayal of Elrond. Elrond was the first of the half-elven (which is actually deceptive as he is of Maia, Eldarin and High Edain blood) as he is a decendant of Beren (man) and Luthien (Maia) and Melian (Maia) and Thingol (elf).

He served under Gil-galad (bad ass Elven king of Lindon) and established Imladris (Rivendell) He witnessed the falling of Gil-galad before Sauron and recovered the elven ring Gil-galad held, which was Vilya the ring of Firmament the mightiest of the elven rings.

He has three children Arwen, and the twins Elladan and Elrohir but by the time LotR takes place his wife (Celebrian, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel) has already gone on to Valinor (poor Elrond wah wah)

While he probably has great affection for Aragorn, well I doubt many fathers would want some ranger courting his daughter when he is supposed to be a King. Ya know?? "I dont want you dragging my daughter around and making her cook rabbit over a fire and sleeping in the mud blah blah you have to support her blah blah"..heh

While most the elves are very lyrical Elrond is only part elf. He also has Maia blood which is a spirit which has taken a form. Examples of Maia are the five Wizards..Goldberry..Sauron.. the Balrog of Moria (who was a fire spirit) and Tom Bombadil.

So while he may be usually perceived as Elven he is really much more..he did refuse to keep the ring in Rivendale and I am sure some conversation would have taken place with Gandalf about it. But they didn't protray him saying much during the councel which was a good thing.

"The Fellowship of the Ring" bit was pretty cheesy..heh

[JessicaS]

I think what annoyed me the most about the movie was them cutting out Glorfindel (who is a baddass) and extending Arwen's part. I agree about Liv Tyler not being able to act her way out of a paper bag..geez...and the whole Flight to the Ford thing was just weird..they changed the whole thing.

The whole "if you want him come and claim him" thing was very gag...

I was glad to see Beren and Luthien mentioned as Tolkein stated that the story of Beren and Luthien was about him and his wife. He even had "Luthien" placed on his wife's headstone and "Beren" on his own

woo but that Legolas is a hottie!! anyone else notice while everyone else is struggeling in the snow he is blithley walking on top of it?? LOL!!

[kama'aina mama]

I'll be perfectly honest... I find almost every member of the Fellowship to be terribly shaggable. I'm a Whore of the Ring I tell ya!

[JessicaS]

I will have to agree. I laughed when they were bragging how many hot men were in that new version of "Oceans Eleven" bah whatever!!

Now LotR however..woo! woo!!

I'd toss over a pretty boy in a suit anyday for a hairy guy who look still looks nummy after being tossed in the mud and fighting a bunch of orcs..

[kama'aina mama]

Okay, while we're kvetching about things that bugged us in the film... A toyal amen on the Glorfindle/Arwen swap. Ugh! Maybe later I'll tell ya the rumours I heard about Liv on this movie. Good dirt. Anyway, There were several changes that seem minor but are so integral to the story... Like Arwen shouting defiantly at the Nazgul rather than Frodo... That was the first real sign of Frodos growing relationship to the Ring. That he would defy the Nazgul to try to take it from him. Arwen's threat is meaningless. Also the implication that Arwen caused the flood at the ford... what-ever!

Now abimommmy we may have to agree to disagree about Elrond. No arguement that he is unique and quite powerful, but it saddened me that the filmmakers translated that into aggressive and sort of condescending behavior. And he would never talk to Gandalf so! He may be descended of a Maier but G is one! As for the man hating... it's just dumb. His grandfather (Beren) was a man. His own brother accepted the gift of mortality. He doesn't despise men or even look down on them really... not the True Men, of which Aragorn is one. He is naturally saddened that his only daughter will choose not to pass into the West with the rest of them. (Probably sad for Celebrian as well.. who will ne'er see her daughter again.) It is quite clear (in the books) that he will withold his blessing until Aragorns home address is "Throne-Gondor" but that only seems to matter to Aragorn. Arwen, like all elven women, is free to do as she chooses.

Which touches on another subject. Aragorn of the books has never denied his destiny... has been waiting for the time. I'm not happy with this whole Hamlet trip he's taking of wishing he could just ... whatever... not be who he is. Aragorn takes his role in the world like a MAN damnit!

[kama'aina mama]

Okay, my list, in order of preference:

1. Legolas
2. Aragorn in leather
3. Boromir
4. Frodo
5. Gandalf (okay, not so much G as the twinkle of Sir Ian twinking in the eyes. But I'm not the right flavor for him... )
6. Aragorn in velvet
7. Sam
8 & 9 (tie) Merry and Pip (heck, it would probably be a threesome after a late night at the Green Dragon)
10. (Do I actually HAVE to include Gimli? All that facial hair skeeves me out and I'm not so crazy about what's underneath, either.)