Strayed a bit too far from the book

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2002)

Sure, I realize the massive pressure on Jackson, but after making 2x the money from the first film (worldwide ticket sales, the two DVD sets, etc.) to cover the cost of all three, why this? I voted '9' because it was great.

But, as having read the books, why all the changes? I can swallow the Arwen junk in order to appeal to women, but why pull the Frodo almost killing Sam? why the Aragorn fake death sequence (Gandalf re-done and no one surprised this time)? why the over-the-top unrealistic Helm's Deep battle? Regarding the last, yes, that was a dire battle, but not so much that the Elves came and perished (what was the point of that BS? this is supposed to be the war/time of men), nor that the people of Edoras were down to the three of the Fellowship, the King Denethor and maybe three others to fight, and then to go down the stairs on horseback through overbelievable Ura-kai. They did a poor job introducing Elfhelm or the Rhohirrim at all. You know those dudes on horses at the end? That was them. They made Edoras and Rhohan in general look stupid and divided.
All in all, still I loved the movie because it is a delight. I almost wish that I did not read the books. On the other side of the coin, having not would've meant that I'd have been much more confused as, I'd imagine, character association is tough from a non-reader's perspective.