I remember now...
The DH and I have spent about a week now re-watching the movies (LotR, of course--what did you *think* I meant, LOL!) and now I am reminded of why I loved them.
I know that I've often found criticisms with them--they *do* have their flaws, after all, but here is a list of the things that I personally think PJ got completely and stunningly *right*:
1. The Shire--specifically that first long shot coming into Hobbiton. (That was the *first* time I teared up, and I am *not* one to cry at movies.)
2. Bag End, all of it, inside and out.
3. Ian McKellan’s Gandalf.
4. Ian Holms’ Bilbo.
5. Strider, sitting in the corner at The Prancing Pony.
6. Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn.
7. That shot of Aragorn and Arwen on the bridge in Rivendell.
8. That long shot of the Fellowship cresting the ridge in Hollin.
9. The doors of Moria.
10. Gandalf’s whole scene at the Bridge with the Balrog--brilliant!
11. The Argonath.
12. Sean Bean’s Boromir--and most especially his battle to protect Merry and Pippin.
13. Andy Serkis’ Gollum.
14. Bernard Hill’s Theoden
15. Sam getting to see the oliphaunt. (I had honestly thought that a scene that would have to have been cut.)
16. Gandalf and Pippin cresting the rise to see Minas Tirith in the distance.
17. Pippin’s livery--absolutely perfect!
18. The charge of the Rohirrim
19. “For Frodo!”
20. All of Minas Tirith, bowing to the hobbits.
And most of all, Howard Shore’s magnificent score, through all three of the films!
And there were quite a few more little touches I loved, and some well done acting by a wonderful cast, not just the ones I mentioned specifically.
So, do I still have quite a few major nits to pick with PJ about the script? Yeah, I do--I listed those not very long ago at all.
Do I still love the movies? Yeah, to that, as well.
I know that I've often found criticisms with them--they *do* have their flaws, after all, but here is a list of the things that I personally think PJ got completely and stunningly *right*:
1. The Shire--specifically that first long shot coming into Hobbiton. (That was the *first* time I teared up, and I am *not* one to cry at movies.)
2. Bag End, all of it, inside and out.
3. Ian McKellan’s Gandalf.
4. Ian Holms’ Bilbo.
5. Strider, sitting in the corner at The Prancing Pony.
6. Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn.
7. That shot of Aragorn and Arwen on the bridge in Rivendell.
8. That long shot of the Fellowship cresting the ridge in Hollin.
9. The doors of Moria.
10. Gandalf’s whole scene at the Bridge with the Balrog--brilliant!
11. The Argonath.
12. Sean Bean’s Boromir--and most especially his battle to protect Merry and Pippin.
13. Andy Serkis’ Gollum.
14. Bernard Hill’s Theoden
15. Sam getting to see the oliphaunt. (I had honestly thought that a scene that would have to have been cut.)
16. Gandalf and Pippin cresting the rise to see Minas Tirith in the distance.
17. Pippin’s livery--absolutely perfect!
18. The charge of the Rohirrim
19. “For Frodo!”
20. All of Minas Tirith, bowing to the hobbits.
And most of all, Howard Shore’s magnificent score, through all three of the films!
And there were quite a few more little touches I loved, and some well done acting by a wonderful cast, not just the ones I mentioned specifically.
So, do I still have quite a few major nits to pick with PJ about the script? Yeah, I do--I listed those not very long ago at all.
Do I still love the movies? Yeah, to that, as well.