[Dain]

I don't want to get into the details of what parts of the film I hated or liked. The first time I saw it, I was horrified and massively disappointed. The second time, certain scenes brought tears of joy and amazement to my eyes--and I stil hated other parts of it! I am coming to understand that it's a film, and some changes needed to be made. I'm still not sure of others...<P>What ranters on both sides should realise is that it's not personal. On the film-basher-bashing side you need to realise is that those who feel strongly about LotR are using forums like this to vent, and are relieved to know others share their view. I was so happy to see that other people agreed that Gimli had been mistreated, etc. Eventually we'll get over it, maybe, but not immediately--let us blow off steam. I just don't want to hear "it's just a movie" again, because it can't, and shouldn't, be "just a movie" for us, and that's our choice.<P>On the other side, for people like me who have been waiting their whole lives to see films of these books, I hope even those who are disappointed can be happy they got made at all. They could have been a lot worse, and a lot better. They get better every time I watch them because I begin to see what PJ was doing and see them for what tey are (though, some scenes would still stink no matter what film they are in! ) Lets wait for RotK and see what happens, and I think overall, when we get over the ranting stage, we'll find that we are happy we have the films AND the books.<P>One note: Faramir was a victim of the need to inject suspense into the end of the film, since Shelob is apparently being saved until RotK...I think we should wait to pass judgement--he <I>did</I> let Frodo go...<p>[ February 17, 2003: Message edited by: Dain ]