"Fish & Chips" scene brilliant

Rating: 8/10 (22 March 2004)

I just want to say that the "fish & chips" argument between Gollum and Samwise in this film is one of my favorite pieces of dramatization.
It works because the scene reveals so much about the characters and the underlying themes of the story, without the whole thing sounding like a self-conscious English Literature essay. With Gollum having total spasms about the way Sam's "ruining" the food, and Sam stuck in the traditional ways of Hobbit cooking, the interaction between the conflicting character points of view is brilliantly realized in a novel and interesting way. It's in scenes like this where dramatization really works best.
On the other hand, I have to say in contrast that the big "important stories" speech in both the white city scene and at the end when the two hobbits are walking off is one of the worst pieces of heavy-handed moralizing I've ever heard. It sound really labored and forced and really doesn't fit the context of the situation too well at all.
The Helms Deep battle is certainly a highlight of the movie - in fact the whole trilogy! It's very well set-up and executed (pardon the pun!); while providing some great character interaction. I personally enjoyed the comic relief moments with the rivalry between Gimli and Legolas. Legolas' style at mounting his transport was very impressive.
Some of the best character moments in this movie is when Frodo defends Gollum to Samwise, and also Merry and Pippin play off each other very well while being held by the Orcs, then running and meeting Treebeard. And the final battle of the Ents with Sauroman is a great climactic moment.