(no subject)

[semperfiona]

Okay, so you might have gotten the idea from my one Two Towers post that I didn't like the movie. Not true. I quite enjoyed it. I think, though, that just like the first one, I will need another viewing to see it for itself rather than nitpicking the differences between it and the book. (Besides, I have to use my free-ticket certificate.) However, nitpicking and commenting on specific details I can do now.

My biggest peeve is that the character of Faramir was sorely slandered, as I noted yesterday. Other than that...(I'll try to put these mostly in order)

• I loved the Balrog fight sequence. Expanding that was a very good idea.
• I've always loved Rohan and the Rohirrim, and this movie did very well by them. But they didn't quite make it clear enough just how much the Rohirrim love their horses.
• More lovely scruffy longhaired men. ::drool::
• We could have done with a few more of the original lines of dialog from the first encounter in Rohan. It seemed like a rather abrupt change from aiming spears to handing over horses.
• The transformation of Theoden was delightful to see.
• While I didn't imagine Ents looking like that--I had imagined them less leggy--it's an interesting take, and supportable from the text.
• Merry didn't decide the course of the Entmoot, they did. They already knew about Saruman's perfidy (and by the way, what a wonderful word).
• Eowyn is easily the hottest chick in the two movies so far, on the grounds that she seems more "real" to me than either of the elves. On the other hand, Liv Tyler/Arwen does have really quite marvelous lips.
• The Battle of Helm's Deep was wonderful.
• I have a bit of a problem with the Southrons looking so Arabic. I realize Tolkien's own descriptions slant that way as well, but it seems too much like a reference to the present world situation to fit with a fantasy/mythological epic. On the other hand, I might not have noticed that had I not already read a review which mentioned it.
• Again, I had a difference of imagination with Jackson on the appearance of the Nazgul's winged steeds. To my mind they might have been slightly more effective without the full closeups of their faces. But they were still damned cool.
• How the fuck am I going to wait another year? (Yeah, yeah, I hear you. I'll end up buying copies of all versions of the DVD and rereading the books again.)

I now invite other nitpickers to comment.

Oh, and I can also say with confidence that you want to get seats farther back than the fourth row. I had a neck ache after straining up to see everything.

Comments

[semperfiona]

If I had had a notepad in the movie theater, I could probably come up with more. These are just what stuck in my mind since last night.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll just have to see it, and you'll just have to see it again. Hmmmm... ;-)

[semperfiona]

This thought had occurred to me, but I dismissed it on grounds that computerchix would want to see it too, and *someone*'s got to watch the Precious.

Re:

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there is that. Some other opportunity may need to present itself.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

If I'm still feeling like death warmed over, I'll watch her while you two go.

[semperfiona]

You're a sweetheart. Well, how about we just plan to play such things by ear.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

I was figuring most of the weekend was going to be by ear :)

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

There's a euphamism in there somewhere, and I'm just not seeing it.

Now see what you've done? :):):)

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

If it's by ear, wouldn't you have to listen for it, rather than see it?

*Ducks*

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

*Geese*

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

Isn't it _fun_ down here in the gutter? ;)

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

*waving down to Toni from the gutter*

;-)

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

*rubbing hands together and cackling*

You'll be joining us down here soon.... C'mon, it's _fun_ down here....

All in the extended special edidtion DVD?

[batesmotel34.livejournal.com]

They had to save the extended Rohirrim dialog and the full Entmoot sequencing for the extended version DVD of the Two Towers to be released next December... Maybe more of Theoden and Grima Wormtongue as well before Theoden's transformation. It's been 20 years or more since I reread the wh ole trilogy so I definitely need to go back to the books to see where else my memory of the text differs from the text (and from the movie).

I did heare a comment some place from JAckson that the Two Towers is where he departed most from the books, for whatever that's worth.