A truly superb film--ironically pieces missing and ending depressing

Rating: 10/10 (15 July 2004)

Okay be warned SPOILERS WITHIN
This is truly an awesome film and it definitely deserved its Oscar. All the performances were great, the direction and cinematography were superb. But there were one or two quibbles.
Just a general plot comment for openers. In the film (though probably not the book), a big part of the reason that Aragon had to approach the cursed army was the attack of the pirates that only he and the elves knew about as the Rohan forces were preparing to leave for Minas Tirith. So he proved his credentials and recruited that army of the undead. Then, they all surprised and eliminated the pirates--OFF-CAMERA. How, precisely did they do this and where did they intercept them? We aren't told. They appear as almost dei ex machina to eliminate the rest of the siege force. I'd have been interested in the pirate battle (but then the film probably would have been a full four hours).
In my opinion, the third film also had a couple (probably unavoidable) failings.
1. Unlike the first two films, the third didn't portray the weight and difficulty of bearing the ring enough to demonstrate the Herculean labor that Frodo was undertaking. Quite honestly, for most of the film, I was more impressed with "Samwise the Brave."
2. This one is also probably mostly my fault. Arwen loves Aragon and he loves her. That's given. Apparently, she gave up her immortality to safeguard him during the war as much as possible. I have to respect that. Possibly because of the screenplay choices (but isn't the romance between Arwen and Aragon a mere footnote in the text of the books) we aren't really reminded of the elf princess and her personal courage and love quite enough to do her character justice. In the films, particularly this one, Eowyn strikes me as a much better match for Aragon at least during the war--the warrior king and queen uniting Rohan and Gondor and safeguarding peace. Of course, the two kingdoms are joined another way that's equally valid but the relationship between Faromir and Eowyn isn't developed AT ALL on film. Did they speak to each other before they got engaged? They must have, but how did they bond?
3. The ending--at least as far as Frodo is concerned. I have to admit that he has the hardest row to hoe in the entire saga and he puts himself through no end of torture and danger to save the Shire. And his reward for all this is--an inability to enjoy peace (rather like combat fatigue syndrome) so he has to leave with the elves. By the way, why didn't Legalos have to depart on that transport. I guess this was also a self-sacrificing move to give Sam peace, but why couldn't Sam have enjoyed his family life with his best friend and former employer as a neighbor?
Once again, an excellent film that should definitely be watched. Those were just some questions I had coming away from the film.