The Failure of Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of The Ring

Rating: 8/10 (24 August 2002)

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** 1. Emphasis on the "big people" over the "little people" - The story is really about the Hobbits who represent the common man saving mankind. By not developing and showing the Hobbits at the beginning of their journey, their role is lessened overall. Also, we don't develop an affinity for their characters. Jackson hits all the major events and leaves out all the quiet moments, which are crucial for character development. Hopefully, this fatal flaw will be rectified with the extended edit.
*** SPOILERS MAY BE AHEAD ***
2. Saruman as bogeyman - Much of the screen time that should be devoted to the Hobbits is wasted on showing the misinterpreted machinations of Saruman. He was not a puppet of Sauron, but through arrogance thought that he could wield the ring for the greater good. He represents what may have occurred if Gandalf had taken possession of the ring. Depicting the events surrounding Saruman destroys the mystery of the disappearance of Gandalf lessening the drama and suspense of the story. Also, Saruman's role is overemphasized (i.e. explicitly depicting his manipulation of the weather which is implied in the book). This distortion diminishes the power and threat from Mordor.
3. If you want to introduce The Lord of The Rings, make The Hobbit - The introduction ruins the mystery of the ring, a key element of suspense and drama. The true nature of the ring is revealed when Gandalf returns to the shire after an absence of many years. Of course, by this point in the movie we are all quite well aware of the mystery of the ring,
4. Turn down the Music - This is NOT opera!!!! The audience needs more quiet moments to aid character development.
5. Old Forest/Tom Bombadil/Barrow Downs - Fantastic sequence skipped in the movie; crucial for the development of the Hobbits.
6. Rivendale is just a hop, skip and a jump from the Shire - The journey actually took 4 weeks! The passage of time is not up on the screen. This flaw is largely due to the omission of events between Buckleberry Ferry and Bree.
7. Gandalf doesn't need Saruman to tell him what he knows about Moria - Not only is the wisdom of Gandalf sullied by this scene. It lessens the threat and suspense of Moria by hinting at what is to come. Gandalf's wisdom is further lessened when Frodo solves the riddle of the West Gate.
8. The burgeoning friendship between Legolas and Gimli is not shown - This interplay is important for the development of their characters and helps the audience to connect with them. Also, it further shows the animosity between the races and how they must unite to face the greater foe.
9. Cage match: Gandalf vs. Saruman - Wizards are gods trapped in old bodies. They don't throw each other around! Looks silly on the screen!!!
10. Aragorn's decision to have the entire group be led blindfolded into Lothlorien - An opportunity to show Aragorn's wisdom and group unity was lost. Also, the significance of the Elvish kingdom was lessened by not letting the audience know that Gimli was the first dwarf to set eyes on Caras Galadon since Durin's day (1039 years!).
11. Frodo leaves the Shire immediately upon the revelation of the Ring's true nature - This decision necessitates the elimination of Gandalf's letter at Bree, which was a great device to add mystery to his disappearance. Also, the Hobbit's acceptance of Aragorn is aided by the missive.
12. The flashing lights from Weathertop and Gandalf's sign are not shown - another opportunity to add mystery to Gandalf's disappearance lost.
13. No figure sneaking over the gates of Bree - A cinematic opportunity to add suspense to the film is lost which could have easily been filmed.

14. Orcs running through the forest - Lame! Ruins the "surprise" attack at Parth Galen. Jackson hates mystery and suspense!
15. No wolves! - A great battle scene from the book.
16. Crying! There's no crying in Middle Earth! - Four close-ups of characters crying is overkill. It is appropriate after Gandalf's fall into darkness. However by the time the party is ambushed by orcs, the fall of tears becomes heavy-handed and mawkish. The fellowship was too full of fear to waste time blubbering about.