Everybody Quit Your Whining

Rating: Null/10 (6 February 2003)

(Some spoilers)
I have two words for all of you Tolkien purists who seem to think that Peter Jackson is a disrespectful glory-hungry hack: ADAPTED SCREENPLAY. The Lord of the Rings books are fantasy in its purest form: mystical lands, magical creatures, and dreadful villains. It's not an accident that movies haven't been made depicting the books until now. It would be impossible for Jackson or any other director to just lay the books onto a movie screen. Significant decisions had to be made to make a cinematic version of the story. Don't for a second think that Peter Jackson himself isn't torn up about having to cut out things like Tom Bombadil or moving the trilogy's great siege sequence from Minas Tirith to Helm's Deep. The Two Towers movie does depart from the book in several ways, but I am quite confident that everything will work out after the ROTK movie is released. For those who are dumbfounded that Shelob does not appear in the 2nd movie, shouldn't you be in even greater anticipation that she will appear in the 3rd? Everyone needs to stop crying about how Peter Jackson has ruined the books and should instead takes these films for what makes them so special: unbelievable locations (Edoras? are you serious?), fantastic CG creatures (how sweet are the Ents?), and even an extended love story for the ladies to enjoy. We are lucky to view such an outstanding portrayal of great literature. This is an incredible movie worthy of all accolades, and I can't even imagine how ridiculous the third movie will be. Wow. December 17, 2003.