Insane review!!! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Beleg Cuthalion · 11-13-2006, 04:24 PM

For your purentertainment I offer and highly recommend reading this review of the (well known and well hated) animated Lord of the Rings/Fellowship of the Ring/Two Towers "movie" You won't be disapointed.

The agony booth LOTR

go on! shower me with reputation!! you know you want too.

Enjoy

-Beleg

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Aiwendil · 11-13-2006, 07:29 PM

Maybe it's just me - but I really don't think Bakshi's version was anywhere near as bad as it's generally made out to be. I'll grant that Jackson's was better (and it ought to be, considering its advantages in terms of money and technology); but honestly, I think there are some lessons Bakshi could have taught Jackson. For instance, Bakshi doesn't stray nearly as far from the book as Jackson does, and yet he manages to cover half the story in a little over two hours.

Of course, the cartoon's flaws are numerous and serious, and some of this reviewer's criticisms are quite incisive. Others are not. And there are two points that I'm afraid I can't allow to pass.

Quote:

The Black Riders. Actually, the Brown, Limping, Groaning and Snuffling Riders, but let's not split hairs.

The Black Riders were incredible in Bakshi's film. They were scary! And the mixture of pure animation and rotoscoping gave them a great feeling of otherworldliness.

Quote:

The movie opens with a blast of loud—and very dated—orchestral music. This is the sort of music they used in '60s Disney movies, only scratchier, cheesier, and a thousand times more lifeless.

Were we listening to the same music? I think Rosenman's score was great. It's a shame, really, that current trends in Hollywood view this kind of music as 'dated'. I'd take Rosenman's 'dated' orchestra over any of the bland, cliched, factory-made pieces of muzak passing for film scores these days.

Beleg Cuthalion · 11-13-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

The Black Riders were incredible in Bakshi's film. They were scary! And the mixture of pure animation and rotoscoping gave them a great feeling of otherworldliness.

I agree with you there. But I didn't write the review... I just think it's funny.

-Beleg

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Aiwendil · 11-13-2006, 08:48 PM

Oh, I thought it was funny too. I just feel a need to defend this movie when it's so harshly maligned.

Child of the 7th Age · 11-13-2006, 09:06 PM

Aiwendil,

I agree. Bakshi's version of LotR is a long, long way from perfect but there were even a few things that he did better than PJ. And PJ openly admitted that he paid homage to the guy by "swiping" a few of his devices.

What I really want to do. however, is to aim some shots at this particular reviewer. This is what the guy says in the opening paragraphs of his lengthy review:

Quote:

Well, here it is. The first attempt to bring Tolkien's famous trilogy to the big screen. And before I attempt this recap, it's confession time: I didn't like the Lord of the Rings books.

Is it possible for someone who dislikes the books to be a fair reviewer of any movie adaptation? Actually, this ia an interesting question. But, in my opinion, the answer is no.

Farael · 11-13-2006, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Child of the 7th Age

Is it possible for someone who dislikes the books to be a fair reviewer of any movie adaptation? Actually, this ia an interesting question. But, in my opinion, the answer is no.

Ah, you have a good point there. This guy (he's a guy, right?) didn't like the books, although he seemed to like the PJ adaptation. And I believe he himself argues that PJ had more budget and well... more technology. Thus, it's not really a fair comparison.

Still, about Bakshi's movie, I caught it on TV a while ago and I just couldn't watch it for more than fifteen minutes. And I will watch anything LoTR related.

doug*platypus · 11-14-2006, 12:01 AM

Cheers, Beleg! Once I got into that review, it was actually quite entertaining! I've never seen such a critical blow by blow review of a movie which the reviewer so obviously reviles before!

I particularly liked:

Quote:

Sure it's blurry, but you can still tell it's a disco ball.

Plus all the screen grabs were pretty cool. Like watching the movie without having to fork out preciouss dollarss. The Balrog looked ultra scary when you see a picture of Gandalf actually fighting it. Moreso than the PJ Balrog, IMHO.

It's been a longo time since I saw the Bakshi, but my main memory is that I was disappointed that it ended partway through TTT. So I can't have despised it as much as the Agony Booth reviewer, since I was willing to sit through more of the same. I do recall that the switching between animation and live action was weird at best, though.

Estelyn Telcontar · 11-14-2006, 02:57 AM

Bakshi did one memorable scene that Peter Jackson adopted almost exactly as it was done: the Prancing Pony Nazgûl attack. Cutting back and forth between the sleeping Hobbits and the slashing Ringwraiths was scary even though I knew the book before seeing the animated movie. Granted, there is much that can be criticized and much that is dated, but it was a valiant endeavour nonetheless.

Speaking of dated - does anyone criticize the "Bored of the Rings" parody for being dated? It really is...

Oh, and as to the review - even if I don't agree with the writer's general critical standpoint, I do see his points on a number of issues and above all, I find his writing style very amusing! Thanks for this link, Beleg!

Beleg Cuthalion · 11-14-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Oh, and as to the review - even if I don't agree with the writer's general critical standpoint, I do see his points on a number of issues and above all, I find his writing style very amusing! Thanks for this link, Beleg!

No prob.

BTW I just want to go on the record and say that what ever this guys overall opinion of LOTR, his writing style is fantastically funny, and that's all I’m trying to share with everyone, (not start a “the animated movies aren’t really that bad thread”) just read it and Laugh! Some of it might offend you but I dare anyone to read it with out finding something to make them LOL.

Thank you all

-Beleg

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Aiwendil · 11-14-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

(not start a “the animated movies aren’t really that bad thread”)

Sorry about that. I was provoked, I tell 'ee! 'Dated music' - them's fightin' words.

Anyway, thanks for posting the link - it did make me laugh, quite a bit actually.

Beleg Cuthalion · 11-14-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

Sorry about that. I was provoked, I tell 'ee! 'Dated music' - them's fightin' words.

Anyway, thanks for posting the link - it did make me laugh, quite a bit actually.

That’s ok, I just thought I should make my intentions clear. And I'm very gratified to hear that.

-Beleg

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Essex · 11-15-2006, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Bakshi did one memorable scene that Peter Jackson adopted almost exactly as it was done: the Prancing Pony Nazgûl attack.

and also the Ring bouncing down the rocks in Moria, and an exact copy of proudfoot sitting down with his feet up at Bilbo's part shouting "Proudfeet!" and others I can;t quite remember now.

There should be a "thanks to" note to Bakshi in PJ's FOTR credits at least

PS in all seriousness does anyone know how I can trick my keyboard into thinking my ; key is my ' key - it;s (or it's to be correct) driving me mad.

Elladan and Elrohir · 11-16-2006, 05:11 PM

Hilarious review. I laughed out loud regularly, and at various times I was rolling on the floor. I have not seen the Bakshi, but now I must see it if only to ascertain whether it is indeed as bad as the reviewer says it is.

Encaitare · 11-17-2006, 01:20 AM

Oh, my... thanks for posting that! I spent twenty minutes just dying of laughter. Even the web site's title is entertaining, especially because "Mirror, Mirror" was on just the other night.

findorfin · 11-23-2006, 05:41 AM

That is beyond doubt the funniest review I have ever read. AND, I totally agree with him about the animated film so sorry guys (although some of his other comments are wrong). The film is awful, it butchers the story and, like him, I hate many of the characters.

11-13-2006, 04:24 PM	#1
Beleg Cuthalion Wight Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hominum que contente mundique huius et cupido Posts: 181	Insane review!!! For your purentertainment I offer and highly recommend reading this review of the (well known and well hated) animated Lord of the Rings/Fellowship of the Ring/Two Towers "movie" You won't be disapointed. The agony booth LOTR go on! shower me with reputation!! you know you want too. Enjoy -Beleg >>---> __________________ War is not the answer, War is the question and the answer is yes Quis ut Deus Last edited by Beleg Cuthalion; 11-14-2006 at 04:30 PM.

11-14-2006, 02:57 AM	#8
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Bakshi did one memorable scene that Peter Jackson adopted almost exactly as it was done: the Prancing Pony Nazgûl attack. Cutting back and forth between the sleeping Hobbits and the slashing Ringwraiths was scary even though I knew the book before seeing the animated movie. Granted, there is much that can be criticized and much that is dated, but it was a valiant endeavour nonetheless. Speaking of dated - does anyone criticize the "Bored of the Rings" parody for being dated? It really is... Oh, and as to the review - even if I don't agree with the writer's general critical standpoint, I do see his points on a number of issues and above all, I find his writing style very amusing! Thanks for this link, Beleg! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...' Last edited by Estelyn Telcontar; 11-14-2006 at 03:14 AM.

11-16-2006, 05:11 PM	#13
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	Hilarious review. I laughed out loud regularly, and at various times I was rolling on the floor. I have not seen the Bakshi, but now I must see it if only to ascertain whether it is indeed as bad as the reviewer says it is. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

11-17-2006, 01:20 AM	#14
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	"The agony booth is a most effective means of discipline..." Oh, my... thanks for posting that! I spent twenty minutes just dying of laughter. Even the web site's title is entertaining, especially because "Mirror, Mirror" was on just the other night.

11-13-2006, 08:48 PM	#4
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	Oh, I thought it was funny too. I just feel a need to defend this movie when it's so harshly maligned.

11-23-2006, 05:41 AM	#15
findorfin Newly Deceased Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	That is beyond doubt the funniest review I have ever read. AND, I totally agree with him about the animated film so sorry guys (although some of his other comments are wrong). The film is awful, it butchers the story and, like him, I hate many of the characters.