I don't want to say I told you so, but...

Rating: Null/10 (5 January 2003)

It's fun to listen to the critics (some very harsh) of the LOTR films. Abe Lincoln said it best- "It's better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak out and prove it." And, my God, are the LOTR haters proving it or what?! I love to look back in the imdb archives for last year's film "Fellowship". People were predicting a big downfall for part two because Peter Jackson had used up all the interesting characters and effects. (pause) Are you done laughing now? Good. Well, here we are one Gollum, one Helm's Deep, not to mention some amazing Wargs and Ents later and Jackson and his crew amazed us again.
Another common criticism that blows me away is the way people misuse the term "character development" so much- do they even know what it means??? How can you not see Aragorn's development from rough, mysterious ranger to troubled heir to heroic warrior right before your eyes. How can you not see Frodo develop from innocent, peaceful hobbit to tortured possesser of the ring. There are many others but the biggest is Gollum. I heard one "basher" say he didn't understand why he should care about some Middle-Earth schizophrenia. Well, if you don't understand the torment behind this character then there really is no point trying to explain anything to you. As Sam said to Gollum in the "stewed conies" scene, "You're Hopeless".

Well checking the latest data report, LOTR:TTT has just pulled ahead of Potter in the states, something the last film couldn't do. And considering the headstart Potter had, LOTR should finish well ahead of it. Even more impressive is the critical reviews it's still getting (Time, Newsweek, USA Today, etal). Heck, even Ebert gave this one a better review than the last one. And of course the awards just keep piling up!
So the LOTR bashers can keep babbling their jealousy-enduced dribble and the masses will continue to be swept away by this truly marvelous epic adventure. We will all have a great time and we'll be thinking of you! PS Thanks for proving Honest Abe right !!!!