Good, but no grrrll power

Rating: Null/10 (20 January 2003)

I loved a lot of things about this film, particularly the special effects (the realization of the trees, Gollum), and breathtaking shots like Frodo reaching toward the flying dragon--but couldn't Jackson have given us women ONE warrior? Eowyn, the supposed "shield master" never moves beyond fondling a sword...otherwise its "women and children down to the caves," while the men do the fighting. Even if it's not in the book, I know Jackson takes a few liberties when he deems it appropriate, and its hard to imagine that his co-writing wife doesn't get frustrated sometimes. This was definitely the most influential film of last year, beamed out to hundreds of millions of people all over the globe who seem to think the story line has contemporary relevance, yet it perpetuates an old-fashioned and helpless female image...even while chicks are on their way to the Gulf!!