So, Best and Worst Characters?

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

First of all, I wish to apologise for the lame thread title.

Now on to business. Most of us will have been able to see the final extended version of the trilogy. What are your final thoughts as to the questions implied in the title? Which one character do you think was the best in the films overall? And which would you say was the worst?

Vague terms indeed, but take into account all you can. I would say take especial regards to the acting, dialogue, and possible storyline quirks.

Here are my nominations. As to best character, I would argue for Meriadoc Brandybuck. I thought the storytellers found the perfect niche for him, one of my favourite characters in the book. He was never in danger of outshining Frodo and Samwise, the really important Hobbit characters. But he was given enough so that the audience really cared about him. This came to a head with the climax of his story in the Extended version of The Return of the King. The acting was very good, I thought Monaghan had the right look for the part, and I really cannot think of anything wrong that happened with Merry in any of the films. The only complaint I can think of is that he was not featured very much in the first two films, but I think the character was rightly developed a lot overall.

Now worst. It may apear as if I am contradicting myself here because I have been quite the defender of this film character in the past. However, I think that game of Devil's advocate was slightly off-key when faced with the grand picture that stood there glowering at me all that time. That character is Faramir. I thought the acting was weak. Did anyone gauge any strength that the man had? The dialogue was sometimes bad, and dreadful in at least one part; "Saruman attacks from Isengard, Sauron from Mordor..." No kidding, genius. As Avie so brilliantly pointed out on another thread, Faramir played a typical 'damsel-in-distress'. Always weepy-eyed and just weak in general. Think of the part where Madril advises him to forsake Osgiliath. Wenham gives a pitiful cry of order, barely loud enough for anyone to hear him. There was also that whole Frodo and Sam bit which is still highly debatable. Overall, a really poor portrayal of what I think is a golden character.

So, please give me your nominations. Remember to give at least a couple of reasons for why you are choosing the characters. Remember also that this thread is not really the place to argue with others about certain characters.

Maybe it will wind up being just another list topic. Hopefully, it will at least be entertaining to read. A survey of the Barrowdowners, of sorts.

Thanks.

[Boromir88]

Don't worry about the lame thread title, atleast it covers the topic.

As for best character...hmm, if it must be from ROTK, then I would say Theoden. I often find myself repeating his lines (his pep-talks in Helm's Deep and on Pelennor fields). I love Bernard Hill, I think he is a wonderful actor, I adored him as the crazy scientist Philos in the below average movie "Scorpion King." Also, as mentioned in another thread, I love the look on his face when he sees this soldier fighting ferociously next to him, little does he know that soldier is Eowyn. Theoden's my favorite character, save Boromir .

As for worst, I can't express how much I hate Gothmog. This man that receives one little sentence in the book, gets more screen time then the Witch-king. I hate his lines too "The time of man is over, the time of the orc has come." No it hasn't. Then "Feaaaah, the city is rank with it, eahahaha." His mutilation in the EE even gets me to cringe more.

[King of the North]

Because the answer should be mostly based on dialogue, acting, and possible storyline quirks; my choice for favorite character will be different than that from the book.

Even though not in all three films, Boromir was my favorite character (movies only). Sean Bean portayed the tormented and at the same time valiant character with perfection. None of his lines seemed to be weak or flimsy, but instead left a lasting impression on me. I did not find any flaws in Sean Bean's acting either. The movies show Boromir as more of an evil character than in the books, but that is purely because they are movies. As a result of that, there is much less background information on Boromir which helps define the character to a fuller extent. When I first read the Fellowship of the Ring I did not have a picture perfect understanding of Boromir's nature and appearance. After seeing the movie version, Sean Bean's portrayal fit perfecting into my imagination. Now whenever I read the book, his image appears.

Also quickly I would like to say that if I had to chose from a character that remained in all three movies it would be Meriadoc Brandybuck. Dominick whatever his last name is played the character really well. He also fit perfectly into my vision of Merry from the books. He most definitely outshined the portrayals of Sam and Frodo, who I believe in some parts were poorly played by Sean Astin and Elijah Wood (mostly in the Return of the King).

Lastly I would like to name my least favorite character from the movies. At first I made this decision with a little reluctance, but after reviewing the facts once again it was easy. Legolas was by FAR the worst character in these movies. In the books however, the Sindarin elf was my utmost favorite. Orlando Bloom butchered this beloved character of mine, ESPECIALLY in the amazingly STUPID stunts he pulls in the Two Towers and RotK. If u do not remember, then let me refresh ur memory: In the Two Towers he defies the laws of physics and gravity by lifting himself onto a horse...... well nvm that cant even be explained in words its so impossible, I guess u'd have to see it. Also in RotK he climbs up an Oliphaunt by using arrows (which would easily break, they are basically twigs for God's sake) and then by using the force or something he balances on the back of the beast and shoots the rope holding up the battlement on the Mumak's back. Then (while still keeping perfect balance) walks to its head and shoots it (totally un-accurate, an Oliphaunt has to be shot in the eye to die). As the creature falls to the ground he still amazingly keeps his balance and then ramps off the creatures tentacle thingy in the front (cant remember wat it called) and lands safely. I seriously wanted to throw a hammer at the movie screen after watching that. In the book, Legolas is fairly normal, he's just an elf, so therefore automatically has more wisdom and skill, but the reason he's a hero is because of his skill with a BLADE and a BOW. I had no idea he was supposed to be the Messiah. In the first film, the portrayal is quite good (doesnt even compare to the Legolas in the book though), but later on down the road it worsens quite a bit. Peter Jackson and Orlando Bloom could have easily saved this character if they would have stayed away from the uber lame stunts. I did not have much of a problem with Legolas' appearance in the films, but with the rest of the elves in the movies I did. Please forgive me if I sound homophobic but it makes me have somewhat less respect for them (good thing they normal in books) Answer me this: since wen did all elven men become metro-sexuals that talk very feminitly?

Well I'm done FINALLY. o and btw nice comments Eomer of the Rohirrim.

[Boromir88]

Even though not in all three films, Boromir was my favorite character (movies only). Sean Bean portayed the tormented and at the same time valiant character with perfection.

I agree, I misunderstood, I thought since Eomer was talking about the ROTK EE, person had to be from ROTK (but I'll stay with Theoden). I love Sean Bean in whatever movie he is in (Goldeneye, National Treasure, Lorna Doone, Patriot Games, Troy). I love the scene PJ added with Boromir swordfighting for the hobbits, and they kick him over "for the Shire!," I get a laugh and I think it's some good addition of PJ's. I love when Sean Bean sees the small wooden horse, in Troy, then he sort of looks and rubs his chin like "ahh." Then I can not wait until National Treasure is out to buy, the dialogue between him and Cage are great. They know eachother so well, they complete eachother's sentences, but yet their personalities are totally different. Switching my fond approval now to my grimacing dislike...

Answer me this: since wen did all elven men become metro-sexuals that talk very feminitly?

Good point, Haldir has a bit of an annoying voice, but I like his character in TTT. Despite Elves not being at Helm's Deep, I still like his lines "An alliance once existed between elves and men, we come to honor that allegiance." I find Celeborn's voice to be the most annoying however, atleast he didn't have too many speaking lines. I go into convulsions (I believe that's the word) when I hear, "Tell me where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him?" I can't think it, without being annoyed.

[Finwe-89]

The best character is for me Legolas. I just love Elves. He can be so calm and speaks so softley... I just love it. And he sees evil approtcing when no one else does. Of course I love him too cause he's one of the best archers, but he's, I don't know, I don't know if I have the words to tell. And the WORST character is... NONE, I like all the characters, even all the Orcs. They are all a little piece of a puzzle called Middle-Earth, and that makes them great.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Hmm, already one character with a nomination for Best and Worst.

Indeed, I was referring to the trilogy as a whole, and not just the final film. I only mentioned the Extended DVD of The Return of the King because I was talking about Merry, whom I think shone brightest in that film.

[Boromir88]

I'm going to say we are going to see Legolas' name pop up a couple more times, and probably Denethor's name under the "worst."

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by King of the North

Answer me this: since wen did all elven men become metro-sexuals that talk very feminitly?

I think that the design team probably thought that with being immortal, there would be less of an immediate need to attract a wife or husband and produce children, and thus masculine and feminine attributes are less pronounced as their display is not as important. I still don't like the way they look though.

I think it should be noted, however, that all armored elf warriors who appear on screen are masculine-looking.

For best character I would like to nominate my favoruite, Pippin. I think that there is something special about him. Even though he can be very thaughtless at times (like taking the Palantir). He is a good hobbit. He got a good heart, and would do anything to help his friends. I think Billy Boyd is plays him perfectly, and gives it the right touch of humor. And yes, he can be a big fool at times. But, how can you not love Pippin?


-Tigerlily

[Finwe-89]

I can speak for us all I think: We all love Pippin, he's funny when he's acting foolish, but that's all. I love him, but he's not my fave person. But I think it's cool you love him that much, at last some one else that likes a other person then Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf, Eomer etc.

[Mithalwen]

I think the trouble with Legolas is that he isn't given a lot of dialogue in the books and a lot of the more profound stuff was discarded becasue it didn't "move the story along" (including just about my favourite lines from the whole book "I count you blessed Gimli son of Gloin")..... so while he gets plenty of fancy stunts his dialogue is limited to stating the obvious giving the illusionm of being "Prince Legolas the Perpetually Confused". In FOTR he seems so surprised by anything he encounters "Orcs!" , "Goblins!" "Crebain!" that I expecteted him to enter Lorien and exclaim "trees!" in complete bewilderment. Then in TTT old eagle eyes either fails to notice or doesn't bother to mention the hoardes of Warg-riders approaching... reducing him to resident pretty boy and "Laurel" to gimli's "Hardy".

I would add that I was very impressed by Karl Urban on looking at the EE ....he was probably the least known and experience of any in a major role and he more than held his own... I was nearly crying when he found Eowyn.....

[Avie]

My favourite (film) character is Gandalf. Ian McKellern just does such a brilliant job of conveying the complexity and depth of the character and even the horrible, jarring duel-with-Saruman scene in FOTR dosen't spoil his performance...gahhhh...what WAS PJ thinking to include that? he might as well have had them play a game of quidditch while he was about it...
Pet peeves include Faramir (O! Pray rescue me from the highest room of the tallest tower...etc etc...), Denethor (He's behind you! ) and and I'm probably gonna get royally flamed for this....Legolas. Easy on the eye but Orlando Bloom is more wooden than an entire Moot of Ents.
I also think that Hugo Weaving was horribly miscast as Elrond. He looks all wrong and his characterisation comes across as sinister and manipulative, for example, not telling Arwen that he had foreseen a son. His motives for doing this are certainly understandable, but I feel it undermines the integrity of the character.

[Boromir88]

Hugo Weaving is a wonderful actor, it's just the characterization that makes him, as well as Elrond look bad. Reminds me too much of Agent Smith. Which, Hugo is the only good actor in those movies. I love the way he talks, its rather computerish, fitting his role perfectly. (atleast in The Matrix).

[ninja91]

The best character in it was Sam. If not for him, Frodo would have surely died from dehydration, tire, and lack of everything needed to survive. He possibly would have been murdered by Gollum before he reached the Cracks of Doom. (which if Sam wasnt there Frodo would not have reached)
The worst was Denethor. They turned him into a loathful, selfish, cowardly steward, but really (in the books) he was lost and could not make all the right decisions. In the books, Denethor was not a bad person, he just didnt have a good attitude and he definitely had lost all hope.
Just while we are on the subject, I really liked how they had the Mouth of Sauron. In my opinion, the scene with him in the books is one of the most important happenings in the story. They made the Mouth of Sauron truly fearsome, and somewhat mysterious. I just didnt like how Aragorn sliced off his head.