Great Film...but dissappointed with changes (spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (18 December 2002)

Warning: Spoilers
I just saw the film and I have to say that it is as good as the first film in action, acting, direction, pacing, special effects, and the world of MiddleEarth is still a wonderful sight to behold. This film gets a lot right, but I have a few frustrations to vent about the picture as well. First is the ending. It ends completely different than the book does. Frodo goes to Gondor with Faramir b/c Faramir is obsessed with the promise that the ring might save Gondor??? Definitely a misrepresentation of his character. Frodo and Sam end up in Mordor, and Faramir does right himself, but gone are Shelob and the capture after the tunnel. Second, is some minor frustrations with Helm's Deep. Jackson has the Elves (Haldir from Fellowhip) reinforce the fortress before the Uruk Hai attack. Small complaint, but I'm not sure why Jackson messed with this portion of the book b/c it seems to be one of the most directly translatable parts of the story. Thirdly, Arwen is again misplaced in the story and overdone. So is Eowyn's relationship with Aragorn. Again, I guess it makes for more plot, but I see no need to change these aspects of the books. The Ents are awesome, but Jackson doesn't give enough time to the destruction of Isengard. It collects perhaps 5 minutes of screen time...I really was looking forward to seeing that part of the action in detail on the silver screen. Jackson also includes a weird sequence with Aragorn falling off a cliff and being seperated from the Fellowship right before Helms Deep.
Jackson gets a LOT right. The fellowhip characters are all excellently portrayed and their relationships with each other just feel right. Gollum is excellent, as are all the CGI characters. The battle sequences are astonishing and epic. He stays true to the most important arcs in the story and the film is paced very well. Overall, do not miss this film. My complaints are small but I think that other fans of the novels will probably share some similar sentiments. Rating : 8.5/10