The Flying Legolas - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Peri · 01-18-2003, 04:26 PM

Anyone notice that part when the Mark are riding down on the Warg-riding-Orcs, and Legolas grabs a hold of that horse's bridle and swings onto the back of the horse? At first, I thought, "Whoah, what the heck?" then I thought it was pretty cool and thought that they probably did that to reinforce the gracefulness of the elves. I know some people thought it was stupid. What do you all think?

Iarbariel · 01-18-2003, 04:34 PM

I thought it was kinda cool..and am thinking about trying something like that myself (after I have lost some kilos *grin) since I do have a horse to play around with... Leggsie is more than enough graceful for an elf I think.

mollecon · 01-18-2003, 04:44 PM

Be sure to have that videotaped...

Diamond18 · 01-18-2003, 04:52 PM

Oh, I noticed all right. *Several winks and nods to the Entish Bow crew*.I thought they went a bit overboard on that shot. It was like he was defying gravity. I'd rather they had him do a cool mount that still looked possible, instead of something that was so obviously CG that I just ended up going, "Waaait just a gosh darn minute. What was that?"Also, it looked like he would surely have been trampled by the horse if it was real. I'm all for eye-popping moves, but let's not defy all common sense. Sheesh.

Tar-Palantir · 01-18-2003, 05:09 PM

- 1st viewing - Whoah! was that what I think it was? I liked it. - 2nd viewing - Still a nice original stunt, but it "stuck out" like his comment "A red sun rises, blood has been spilled this night." Strange to compare the two (a line and an action) but I think it fits. - 3rd viewing - It looked like his legs should have been trampled! And I thought it was wierd that no one around him even took notice of this maneuver, they just kept looking ahead (cause he wasn't there to BE noticed during the filming, being added later and all). Very unbelievable (Even for the dextrous son of Thranduil).

Gorwingel · 01-18-2003, 06:29 PM

Did not impress me much, but I did not mind it terribly, though I kind of thought it was a waste of time.

-Imrahil- · 01-18-2003, 07:23 PM

I thought it was ridiculous. Looked so fake I really saw no purpose in it. They already went overboard on Legolas's bow skill in my mind.

Duncariel · 01-18-2003, 08:22 PM

I agree that they went a little overboard with him kinda flying backward over the horse. If he had swung under the neck it would have looked a little more realistic.

doug*platypus · 01-18-2003, 08:49 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> so obviously CG <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Exactly. I think the use and application of CG images in the movies is not very well thought-out in some cases. They could render everything perfectly, use a million hours of motion capture, or whatever, and this still wouldn't look realistic, because the action itself is not realistic.I have been 50/50 about it both times I have seen it. I like that they're trying to show him as nimble, and I think it's a pretty cool idea, but they just don't pull it off well enough. There's many, many trick riders out there who could jump onto the back of a moving horse. Why on earth did they make CGolas swing up around its chest? From general experience, that's just the kind of stupid trick that will go wrong and leave you bruised and embarrassed, lying on the ground.Great idea, awful execution.

01-18-2003, 09:52 PM

I rather thought that the horse trick was a very impressive stunt to execute, but it looked very cg in the backround of all real characters. I guess they are trying to show how incredible elves are.On a side note, I think that the movie went very overboard with legolas. At times I found myself wondering "Wait a second, is Aragorn or legolas the main char here?" The skateboard thing was...well not very necessary. Also, shouldnt any of the elves that came to helms deep with haldir make legolas look like a pre schooler?

Iargwath · 01-19-2003, 03:15 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I thought it was ridiculous. Looked so fake I really saw no purpose in it. They already went overboard on Legolas's bow skill in my mind.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>My exact words...

Melephelwen · 01-19-2003, 07:39 AM

1st watch - "Geesh! Anyone said computer?" 2nd watch - "They should have made him jump up on the other side of the horse." 3rd watch - Feeling a bit "embarrased" by looking at that scene. If it was actually possible - gravity and stuff - it would have looked better...

HCIsland · 01-19-2003, 09:32 AM

I liked it. I don't think it's out of character to what the elves are capable of physically. This is from LoTR - Book 2 - Chapter 6.Haldir skillfully cast over the stream a coil of grey rope, and he caught it and bound the end about a tree near the bank. ... He made his end of the rope fast about another tree, and then ran lightly along it, over the river and back again, as if he were on a road.To be able to run along a rope as if it were a road is a superhuman trick. Heck, if they can defy the laws of physics by walking on snow without leaving footprints, I can certainly except the horse mounting trick.As for shield surfing bit, I was certainly rolling my eyes but I know I had a smile on my face, especially with the icing of having the shield kill one more orc after Legolas jumped off. I know purists hated it, but just that one moment didn't kill anything for me. I found it very much like when Aragorn and Frodo rode the broken piece of bridge in Moria. That was also ridiculous when you get down to it, but it worked for me.H.C.

Elanor · 01-19-2003, 11:21 AM

I just found it amusing, because it was so improbable. The one other part that made me feel the same way was the scene where Gandalf is falling in Moria, and manages to catch up with his sword. Didn't James Bond manage to defy gravity like that once?

Carrûn · 01-19-2003, 12:54 PM

In Goldeneye Bond jumps off a clift after an airplane, catches up with it, and flys away.I did see on some TV show a guy who jumped out of one plane and into another but they both had pilots, unlike the Bond thing.

Fingo · 01-19-2003, 01:11 PM

If we're going to get into a conversation about defying the Laws of Physics, then Gandalf catching up to his falling sword and the Balrog should definetly be a big red flag right there. But this about Legolas I read on another post that Orlando Bloom had a busted/bruised rib and he couldn't mount the horse properly. Thinking about that leads to the question, Well, why didn't they just show him catching up later if they didn't want him to mount the horse? And anyway, it's a plot conveniency, so don't stress it to much. They needed Legolas on the horse, they put Legolas on the horse. Nuff said

Isenna · 01-19-2003, 03:38 PM

I hated that shot the first time I saw it. It was my biggest sore spot of the movie. I thought it wasn't possible, his arm should have broken (which my sister says would heal instantly...?), it was so fake, etc. The second time I saw it was on something like the fifth biggest screen in the US and it was cool. I do agree that they should have done something possible, and not CGed it, but it looks really awesome on the right screen. And I noticed that time that his arm is okay, cause he lets go in time.

Nieninque · 01-19-2003, 04:13 PM

Ai... I think PJ just wanted some cool stunts and lines, and since Legolas has the most non-defined character in the books, he lumped all the cool stunts and lines on poor Legolas. The 'red sun' line has also been met with a lot of criticism.

Rose Cotton · 01-19-2003, 05:24 PM

I am a person who doen't really care for the elves. To me their just another race of people. I'm more of a hobbit person.Also, during the FotR movie Legolas didn't seem to have a promonint character. Every once and awhile he'd shout somthing.So when I saw TTT I was in for a big suprise. For someone who has never really cared about Legolas I was really impressed by how he was protrayed. From his hoplessness in Helms Deep to his amazing stunts.When I saw the hourse mounting stunt I never thought to question it. You must admit. Nomater how realilistic the story is it is still a fantacy. Therefore things that seem to defy the laws of our world are possible in Middle Earth. Plus Legolas is an elf and they are super beings.I think you are taking this one scene too seriously. It was 3 seconds out of a three hour movie.

mordor136 · 01-19-2003, 05:29 PM

one word-weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Vardadurwen · 01-19-2003, 06:26 PM

I had heard about the horse stunt before I saw the movie, but once I saw it, I really thought it was pretty cool. Fair enough, it was pretty unrealistic, but it was still an amazing shot! I mean, imagine if you could actually do that!!...but it's probably better that they made it look really difficult, otherwise there might be all these people out there trying to do this stunt that could end up with a lot of people getting hurt...yikes.The skating on the shield made me smile, but I felt that was a little ridiculous.

Rose Cotton · 01-19-2003, 06:46 PM

They should have had a message at the bottom of the screen:PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS INCREDITABLY UNBELIEVABLE STUNT AT HOME. THANK YOU.

dunadan_aragorn · 01-20-2003, 11:29 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I think that the movie went very overboard with legolas. At times I found myself wondering "Wait a second, is Aragorn or legolas the main char here?" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Exactly. Aragorn has more purpose than Legolas.

Iargwath · 01-21-2003, 01:49 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>They should have had a message at the bottom of the screen: PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS INCREDITABLY UNBELIEVABLE STUNT AT HOME. THANK YOU. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Hahaha...i like that one

Nibinlondwen · 01-21-2003, 02:21 AM

hey, what are we picking on? I can see no reason to it. Ww have to accept that the film is not the book. there is worse things than legolas swinging on to a horse like tarzan in the jungle. i saw that kind of stunt three times once at a cirkus. Maybe Legolas had some thousand years of practise time. I dont know, its just a thought.

LOTR_know-it-all55 · 01-21-2003, 10:49 AM

Get over it! It's not supposed to be the focal point of the entire movie. If you hate it that much, close your eyes during that scene.

01-18-2003, 04:26 PM	#1
Peri Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 124	The Flying Legolas Anyone notice that part when the Mark are riding down on the Warg-riding-Orcs, and Legolas grabs a hold of that horse's bridle and swings onto the back of the horse? At first, I thought, "Whoah, what the heck?" then I thought it was pretty cool and thought that they probably did that to reinforce the gracefulness of the elves. I know some people thought it was stupid. What do you all think? __________________ "Ah, but I'll begowk ye there!" cried the gentleman. "Play me false, and I'll play you cunning."

01-18-2003, 04:34 PM	#2
Iarbariel Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Norway Posts: 21	I thought it was kinda cool..and am thinking about trying something like that myself (after I have lost some kilos *grin) since I do have a horse to play around with...<BR>Leggsie is more than enough graceful for an elf I think. __________________ Faithful servant yet master's bane, Lightfoots foal, swift Snowmane.

01-18-2003, 04:52 PM	#4
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	Oh, I noticed all right. <I>Several winks and nods to the Entish Bow crew</I>.<P>I thought they went a bit overboard on that shot. It was like he was defying gravity. I'd rather they had him do a cool mount that still looked possible, instead of something that was so obviously CG that I just ended up going, "Waaait just a gosh darn minute. What was that?"<P>Also, it looked like he would surely have been trampled by the horse if it was real. I'm all for eye-popping moves, but let's not defy all common sense. Sheesh. __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

01-18-2003, 05:09 PM	#5
Tar-Palantir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: napa valley, ca Posts: 496	- 1st viewing - Whoah! was that what I think it was? I liked it. <P>- 2nd viewing - Still a nice original stunt, but it "stuck out" like his comment "A red sun rises, blood has been spilled this night." Strange to compare the two (a line and an action) but I think it fits. <P>- 3rd viewing - It looked like his legs should have been trampled! And I thought it was wierd that no one around him even took notice of this maneuver, they just kept looking ahead (cause he wasn't there to BE noticed during the filming, being added later and all). Very unbelievable (Even for the dextrous son of Thranduil). __________________ History shows again and again How nature points up the folly of men Go, go, Godzilla!

01-18-2003, 06:29 PM	#6
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,419	Did not impress me much, but I did not mind it terribly, though I kind of thought it was a waste of time. __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

01-18-2003, 04:44 PM	#3
mollecon Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 188	Be sure to have that videotaped...

01-18-2003, 07:23 PM	#7
-Imrahil- Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dol Amroth, upon the Bay of Belfalas Posts: 259	I thought it was ridiculous. Looked so fake I really saw no purpose in it. They already went overboard on Legolas's bow skill in my mind. __________________ My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed. I felled the black serpent. A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunset!

01-18-2003, 08:22 PM	#8
Duncariel Wight Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Land of the Ice and Snow Posts: 226	I agree that they went a little overboard with him kinda flying backward over the horse. If he had swung under the neck it would have looked a little more realistic. __________________ Middle-earth: Insanity "What, the peons aren't trusted?" -- Yazoo, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

01-18-2003, 08:49 PM	#9
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> so obviously CG <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Exactly. I think the use and application of CG images in the movies is not very well thought-out in some cases. They could render everything perfectly, use a million hours of motion capture, or whatever, and this <B>still</B> wouldn't look realistic, because the action itself is not realistic.<P>I have been 50/50 about it both times I have seen it. I like that they're trying to show him as nimble, and I think it's a pretty cool idea, but they just don't pull it off well enough. There's many, many trick riders out there who could jump onto the back of a moving horse. Why on earth did they make CGolas swing up around its chest? From general experience, that's just the kind of stupid trick that will go wrong and leave you bruised and embarrassed, lying on the ground.<P>Great idea, awful execution. __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

01-18-2003, 09:52 PM	#10
VercingetoriX Guest Posts: n/a	I rather thought that the horse trick was a very impressive stunt to execute, but it looked very cg in the backround of all real characters. I guess they are trying to show how incredible elves are.<P>On a side note, I think that the movie went very overboard with legolas. At times I found myself wondering "Wait a second, is Aragorn or legolas the main char here?" The skateboard thing was...well not very necessary. Also, shouldnt any of the elves that came to helms deep with haldir make legolas look like a pre schooler?

01-19-2003, 03:15 AM	#11
Iargwath Wight Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 236	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I thought it was ridiculous. Looked so fake I really saw no purpose in it. They already went overboard on Legolas's bow skill in my mind.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>My exact words... __________________ 'I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry'-Psalm 40 My M-e Forum

01-19-2003, 07:39 AM	#12
Melephelwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2002 Location: the Middle of Nowhere Posts: 291	1st watch - "Geesh! Anyone said computer?"<BR>2nd watch - "They should have made him jump up on the other side of the horse."<BR>3rd watch - Feeling a bit "embarrased" by looking at that scene. <BR>If it was actually possible - gravity and stuff - it would have looked better... __________________ We're all following a strange melody We're all summoned by a tune We're following the piper And we dance beneath the moon

01-19-2003, 09:32 AM	#13
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	I liked it. I don't think it's out of character to what the elves are capable of physically. This is from LoTR - Book 2 - Chapter 6.<P><I>Haldir skillfully cast over the stream a coil of grey rope, and he caught it and bound the end about a tree near the bank. ... He made his end of the rope fast about another tree, and then ran lightly along it, over the river and back again, as if he were on a road.</I><P>To be able to run along a rope as if it were a road is a superhuman trick. Heck, if they can defy the laws of physics by walking on snow without leaving footprints, I can certainly except the horse mounting trick.<P>As for shield surfing bit, I was certainly rolling my eyes but I know I had a smile on my face, especially with the icing of having the shield kill one more orc after Legolas jumped off. I know purists hated it, but just that one moment didn't kill anything for me. I found it very much like when Aragorn and Frodo rode the broken piece of bridge in Moria. That was also ridiculous when you get down to it, but it worked for me.<P>H.C. __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

01-19-2003, 11:21 AM	#14
Elanor Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: my own corner of the Shire Posts: 316	I just found it amusing, because it was so improbable. The one other part that made me feel the same way was the scene where Gandalf is falling in Moria, and manages to <I>catch up</I> with his sword. Didn't James Bond manage to defy gravity like that once? __________________ "When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading." Henny Youngman (1906 - )

01-19-2003, 12:54 PM	#15
Carrûn Wight Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Behind you, counting to 3 Posts: 234	In Goldeneye Bond jumps off a clift after an airplane, catches up with it, and flys away.<P>I did see on some TV show a guy who jumped out of one plane and into another but they both had pilots, unlike the Bond thing. __________________ "Dic, hospes, Spartae, nos te hic vidisse iacentes dum sanctis patriae legibus obsequimur."

01-19-2003, 01:11 PM	#16
Fingo Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Over the river and through the woods (literally) Posts: 59	If we're going to get into a conversation about defying the Laws of Physics, then Gandalf catching up to his falling sword and the Balrog should definetly be a big red flag right there. But this about Legolas <P>I read on another post that Orlando Bloom had a busted/bruised rib and he couldn't mount the horse properly. Thinking about that leads to the question, Well, why didn't they just show him catching up later if they didn't want him to mount the horse? And anyway, it's a plot conveniency, so don't stress it to much. They needed Legolas on the horse, they put Legolas on the horse. Nuff said __________________ "We are raised to honor all the wrong explorers and discoverers- thieves planting flags, murderers carrying crosses. Let us at last praise the colonizers of dreams."

01-19-2003, 03:38 PM	#17
Isenna Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 13	I <I>hated</I> that shot the first time I saw it. It was my biggest sore spot of the movie. I thought it wasn't possible, his arm should have broken (which my sister says would heal instantly...?), it was so fake, etc. The second time I saw it was on something like the fifth biggest screen in the US and it was <I>cool</I>. I do agree that they should have done something possible, and not CGed it, but it looks really awesome on the right screen. And I noticed that time that his arm is okay, cause he lets go in time.

01-19-2003, 04:13 PM	#18
Nieninque Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: East Bight Posts: 67	Ai... I think PJ just wanted some cool stunts and lines, and since Legolas has the most non-defined character in<BR>the books, he lumped all the cool stunts and lines on poor Legolas. The 'red sun' line has also been met<BR>with a lot of criticism. __________________ ----- Legolas: A red sun rises in the East. Blood has been spilt this night. Aragorn: Goddamn elf's talking to himself again! I'm surrounded by weirdos...

01-19-2003, 05:24 PM	#19
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	I am a person who doen't really care for the elves. To me their just another race of people. I'm more of a hobbit person.<P>Also, during the FotR movie Legolas didn't seem to have a promonint character. Every once and awhile he'd shout somthing.<P>So when I saw TTT I was in for a big suprise. For someone who has never really cared about Legolas I was really impressed by how he was protrayed. From his hoplessness in Helms Deep to his amazing stunts.<P>When I saw the hourse mounting stunt I never thought to question it. You must admit. Nomater how realilistic the story is it is still a fantacy. Therefore things that seem to defy the laws of our world are possible in Middle Earth. Plus Legolas is an elf and they are super beings.<P>I think you are taking this one scene too seriously. It was 3 seconds out of a three hour movie. __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)

01-19-2003, 05:29 PM	#20
mordor136 Wight Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: snowboarding with Morgoth in the void Posts: 221	one word-weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! __________________ It's not A.D.D I'm just ignoring you. I'm like a super-hero with no powers or motivation

01-19-2003, 06:26 PM	#21
Vardadurwen Wight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 102	I had heard about the horse stunt before I saw the movie, but once I saw it, I really thought it was pretty cool. Fair enough, it was pretty unrealistic, but it was still an amazing shot! I mean, imagine if you could actually do that!!...but it's probably better that they made it look really difficult, otherwise there might be all these people out there trying to do this stunt that could end up with a lot of people getting hurt...yikes.<P>The skating on the shield made me smile, but I felt that was a little ridiculous. __________________ 'In this phial,' she said, 'is caught the light of Earendil's star....May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out...' - Galadriel 'Now there's an eye-opener and no mistake!' - Samwise Gamgee

01-19-2003, 06:46 PM	#22
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	They should have had a message at the bottom of the screen:<P>PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS INCREDITABLY UNBELIEVABLE STUNT AT HOME. THANK YOU.<P> __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)

01-20-2003, 11:29 AM	#23
dunadan_aragorn Wight Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the bowels of Moria Posts: 105	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I think that the movie went very overboard with legolas. At times I found myself wondering "Wait a second, is Aragorn or legolas the main char here?" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Exactly. Aragorn has more purpose than Legolas. __________________ Allia Octa Est, The Die is Cast -Julius Ceaser

01-21-2003, 01:49 AM	#24
Iargwath Wight Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 236	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>They should have had a message at the bottom of the screen:<BR>PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS INCREDITABLY UNBELIEVABLE STUNT AT HOME. THANK YOU.<BR><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Hahaha...i like that one __________________ 'I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry'-Psalm 40 My M-e Forum

01-21-2003, 02:21 AM	#25
Nibinlondwen Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 25	hey, what are we picking on?<BR>I can see no reason to it. Ww have to accept that the film is not the book.<BR>there is worse things than legolas swinging on to a horse like tarzan in the jungle.<BR>i saw that kind of stunt three times once at a cirkus. Maybe Legolas had some thousand years of practise time.<BR>I dont know, its just a thought. __________________ Aa' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e'ale' quenle mellomin

01-21-2003, 10:49 AM	#26
LOTR_know-it-all55 Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Meduseld Posts: 46	Get over it! It's not supposed to be the focal point of the entire movie. If you hate it that much, close your eyes during that scene. __________________ Legolas Greenleaf, long under tree in joy thou hast lived.Beware of the Sea! If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.