Great Movie with some dissapointing changes

Rating: Null/10 (20 December 2002)

I thought that this was a great movie, but there were 2 changes from the book that bothered me. First, Arwen didn't need to be such a big character. I think this movie would have done just as well or better without her. I think she slowed it down more than anything else.
Second, Faramir's character was completely changed. In the book he shows the strength of his character by letting Frodo, Sam and Gollum go on their way while in the movie he leads them to Gondor. The problem is that the movie portrays him as being just like his brother Boromir rather than a man of greater strength and the will to do what is right and best for Middle Earth.
I also found the beginning to be a bit confusing because of how they jumped right into the story without any real recap. However, I understand that it had to be done this way and am glad they didn't have any sort of re-cap. Eventually you get into the flow of things and everything falls into place. I think it would be neat if after all three movies are out they make a DVD edition with all three movies edited into one great long movie with no pause between the three original films. You would be crazy to sit though it all in one sitting (and would likely end up with bed sores or something) but I think it would be interesting.
However, despite my complaints I thought it was a great movie - much better than the first. I thought that Gollum stole the show. They did an excellent job of portraying his internal struggles and contradiction. I would like to have seen more of then Ents. It's unfortunate that Merry and Pippin didn't get to drink his nectar and grow taller, but that scene would have likely slowed the movie.
Despite my complaints I plan on seeing this movie at least once more while it is still in the theaters and I can't wait for the DVD to come out.