Better than could be expected (some spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (23 December 2003)

Peter Jackson has done the remarkable. He has taken a complex epic/character study and transformed it as closely as possible to the screen. There have been some comments about how some things would be better if they were changed from the way Mr Jackson has done them. Inevitably these were how they were in the book. Yes some things would be more satisfying if they occurred differently
(spoiler follows)
I am talking specifically about the "ghosts" fighting on Aragorn's side and how it diminished the efforts of the other defenders. This was how it was in the book (and I would argue that their efforts were diminished). The other problem often mentioned was the brooding nature of Frodo. In the book, in the chapter Scouring of the Shire, the others mention this directly to Frodo and quote (or paraphrase) as well as memory serves "We aren't going to fix things by looking shocked and sad."
Was Frodo a hero? Yes, but not the classic hero, nor, as real heroes he is not suited for all situations.
(end of spoilers)
Like many there are many things missing from the movie that I would prefer to be there, however, I recognize that to add them, and to do them properly would require at least another hour and a half.
You will probably never see this Mr. Jackson, but you, your cast, and production crew have done something I thought would never be possible. Thank you.