ROTK: EE Discussion Thread

[DaddyTorgo]

So did anybody else line up and get theirs right as the stores opened this morning and watch at least the new scenes today?? Any opinions on favorite new/extended scenes or how it compares to the theatrical version.

I'll start by saying that I really enjoyed the added "decline of gondor" scene for the beautiful visuals of the city that it added. I also thought the "Captain and the White Lady" scene was nice as it gave us that little bit of Faramir and Eowyn meeting and beginning their relationship. A nice metaphor.

That being said (and I suppose I should have expected this with the nature of the third film) I was a little dissapointed that it seems the vast majority of the extended scenes here were just more battle footage. But then, ROTK is primarily a battle-footage movie, so I'm not sure what I was expecting. I just liked the way in FOTR and TTT that the added and extended scenes did a great job of slowing down the pace of the movie and letting us see the characters a bit more, as opposed to just seeing more orcs getting chopped. And I think I would have liked to see at least one new scene in the ending (right after the crowning), or even the extension of the "crowning" scene. Where's the payoff for Aragorn and Arwen? Where's their private moment of happiness/reunion? I wish we could be let in on that.

Oh well, I read some interview from some New Line guy that they're seriously considering (or already planning) an even BIGGER box set with more deleted footage probably in a year's time.

Reactions from people?

[Antmeister]

I just got ROTK:EE for $20.99 at Fry's Electronic and have yet to see it. I will be disappointed if they create an Extended Extended Version of the Trilogy that has no revelence to the story. Plus I don't want to have to pay a huge sum of money to buy these titles again. And I really hope they don't release the Extended Extended Versions individually again. Those Klingon Bastards must know when to stop or they will ruin the movie and cause resentment against New Line.

[Neon_Chaos]

I was purely pissed off with the original theatre release of the movie because they ommited Faramir and Eowyn's courtship in the healing towers. It was a necessary scene to explain why Faramir and Eowyn were together in the coronation, and why Eowyn was smiling (remember, they played up the Aragorn/Eowyn/Arwen love triangle from the 2nd movie up to the beginning of the 3rd).

[LionsFan10]

Not to get down on anybody here, because honestly I probably like a lot of movies that most would hate, but what is the draw of this series? I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved the original Star Wars trilogy and all sorts of other movies as such, but these three, I literally fell asleep during the first one. I tried the watch the next two with good friends who are compltely insane over this movie and nothing doing, I can't get into it ... what gives?

[Neon_Chaos]

Lions: I guess I'm a big fan of fantasy. And back in highschool I played D&D quite a bit, so the actualization of the source of almost everything D&D on the screen was a pleasing experience for me. I read the LOTR books before watching the movie, and believe me... you would probably have slept while reading the books as well. :)

[Desnudo]

Not to get down on anybody here, because honestly I probably like a lot of movies that most would hate, but what is the draw of this series? I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved the original Star Wars trilogy and all sorts of other movies as such, but these three, I literally fell asleep during the first one. I tried the watch the next two with good friends who are compltely insane over this movie and nothing doing, I can't get into it ... what gives?

You aren't the only one. I found the whole series visually stunning, but emotionally they just didn't pull me in. I didn't fall asleep, but I was yawning. I guess you could say they just lacked that certain something.

[LionsFan10]

You aren't the only one. I found the whole series visually stunning, but emotionally they just didn't pull me in. I didn't fall asleep, but I was yawning. I guess you could say they just lacked that certain something.

Yeah, I fell asleep during the first one at the theatre. It was just so much talking and blah blah, not to mention the guys I went to see it with were (at the time) HUGE EverQuest addicts and every single time they could make an EQ reference out of something they saw on screen, I'd have to hear about it "haha look, that guy Legolas is a Ranger," "Look it's Kelethin!" I got annoyed, so I fell asleep.

Like I said, though nothing against anybody here who likes the series or anything, it just didn't hold me like I originally thought it would. Speaking of Legolas (is that spelled correctly?) is anyone else around here TIRED of seeing guys on any sort of online video game named after this guy? I mean, seriously this guy alone could've made the entire movie and it still would have been as popular.

[Alan T]

I bought this yesterday after work, I was dissapointed that they still not have any scenes of the Scouring of the Shire at the end, but for the most part I still enjoyed the movie, I liked the additions that this one had.

As for those questioning why others would enjoy this series... I guess the only way I can explain it is... Growing up for me at least, movies was a far less common thing, we did not really have big rental stores, and going out to a drive in theatre was something fun to do once or twice a month. The rest of the time for entertainment you go outside and played sports then at night when it was dark we read books... The J.R.R Tolkien series is one of the series that I absolutely fell in love with reading when I was younger. It was in my opinion one of the best written, most in depth series that I had ever read.

While it would be impossible to do movies that did such a series of books justice, these movies are pretty much as close to I guess would be possible, and having the scenes played out on the screen that I had envisioned when I was younger has been outstanding for me.

I typically am a pretty easy going movie person, I watch almost everything, and buy most new movies when they come out.. but there are few movies that captured me recently like these did. It doesn't have guns or naked girls or alot of space ships fighting, or other cool things.. but it has an outstanding story which is something many movies these days miss.

[Celeval]

^^^ What Alan T. said. And I have never played a character online named 'Legolas'.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I bought this yesterday after work, I was dissapointed that they still not have any scenes of the Scouring of the Shire at the end, but for the most part I still enjoyed the movie, I liked the additions that this one had.


This is a good thing, in my opinion. The ending is long enough. I never really liked the scouring of the Shire. I just seemed so anti-climatic to everything that proceeded it. I know what Tolkien was trying to do, I just didn't agree with it. The same could be said for some other events/characters in the books (see: Tom Bombadil), which is why I strongly feel that the movies were quite superior to the books in almost every way. Stronger characters. Better dialogue. More dramatic. Etc, etc, etc.

As for people not liking the series, well, what can you say? I think the three movies rank up there as three of the best films of all time. Great acting. Amazing effects. Epic scale. Great directing, cinematography, customes, etc, etc. The awards the movies won were well deserved. Each is a masterpiece and together they legendary. Sure, I have been playing dungeons and dragons since I was 6 years old, so I am pre-disposed to like this kind of thing, but I know plenty of non-geeks who appreciated the films.

It's hard to account for what people like. Some people love reality television, Mariah Carey, and other weird and completely inexplicable things. I don't understand these people and it's probably best that way. :)

[Honolulu_Blue]

I was purely pissed off with the original theatre release of the movie because they ommited Faramir and Eowyn's courtship in the healing towers. It was a necessary scene to explain why Faramir and Eowyn were together in the coronation, and why Eowyn was smiling (remember, they played up the Aragorn/Eowyn/Arwen love triangle from the 2nd movie up to the beginning of the 3rd).

I think it was necessary too, but oddly enough it didn't seem to be. After my mom watched the movie (she never read the books and her only exposure to this sort of thing was being in another room while my friends and I played D&D), she totally caught it. She even said something like "It was nice to see that guy's brother and that blonde woman get together at the end. I liked that." The smile was apparently enough and no further explanation needed. I then went on explained the Houses of Healing scenes and stuff. I agree, it's nice to have it in there.

[Galaril]

I never did get what was Tom Bombadil's was suppose to symbolize according to Tolkien in the books.I assume the Scouring of the Shire was trying to show the unfortunate side effects of war even for thew victors such as after World War 1 which is where tolkien got some of his inspiration.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I never did get what was Tom Bombadil's was suppose to symbolize according to Tolkien in the books.I assume the Scouring of the Shire was trying to show the unfortunate side effects of war even for thew victors such as after World War 1 which is where tolkien got some of his inspiration.

I never really got Bombadil either. You have this huge build up about the Ring, how powerful it is, how important it is, etc, etc. Then basically the first guy the hobbits run into outside the Shire takes it, looks at it, laughs a hearty chuckle with a twinkle in his eye and sings some lame-ass song with Goldberry. I loathe Bombadil...

[GrantDawg]

I watched the whole thing last night. My favorite add was the "end of Sauroman." Second was the "voice of Sauron." I was really surprised they added that, but he was so cool. I also am glad they showed a little of the courtship of Faramir and Eowyn. Basically, they added a lot to finish up the stories. It made this movie much better than the theatre release IMHO.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I watched the whole thing last night. My favorite add was the "end of Sauroman." Second was the "voice of Sauron." I was really surprised they added that, but he was so cool. I also am glad they showed a little of the courtship of Faramir and Eowyn. Basically, they added a lot to finish up the stories. It made this movie much better than the theatre release IMHO.

That's great to hear, G-Dawg. I just watched the extended version of TTT two weekends ago. I think the additional scenes in that one did much the same. TTT:EE is a much better film than the theatrical release.

[DaddyTorgo]

I never really got Bombadil either. You have this huge build up about the Ring, how powerful it is, how important it is, etc, etc. Then basically the first guy the hobbits run into outside the Shire takes it, looks at it, laughs a hearty chuckle with a twinkle in his eye and sings some lame-ass song with Goldberry. I loathe Bombadil...
Just for you guys who might be interested in the Tom Bombardil thing, there's a couple different schools of thought. I don't pretend to be an expert, or really to even have my own opinion, but check out this website hxxp://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/Bombadil.html , or go ahead and google for him and there's countless essays you can read by Tolkien "scholars" about it.

[Draft Dodger]

can someone refresh my memory on what the Scouring of the Shire was all about? it has been 20 years since I read the book, and, well, I smoked a lot of pot between now and then.

[GrantDawg]

can someone refresh my memory on what the Scouring of the Shire was all about? it has been 20 years since I read the book, and, well, I smoked a lot of pot between now and then.
The hobbits return to the Shire at the end of their journey's only to find Sauroman (called "Sharky" by the hobbits) had taken over the Shire. Merry and Pippin rally the hobbits to overthrow him and Grima.

[Draft Dodger]

ah - thanks.

[DaddyTorgo]

as an aside, if anyone has any Tolkien related questions, I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable and I have a ton of sources at my disposal, so I ought to be able to answer most anything.

[Flame Eater]

What is the air speed of an unladen swallow?

[Honolulu_Blue]

What is the air speed of an unladen swallow?

Ahh... You can always pinpoint the nerd in a thread as soon as he starts quoting the "Holy Grail." Nerd.

[Neon_Chaos]

What is the air speed of an unladen swallow?

The english or african?

[GrantDawg]

Ahh... You can always pinpoint the nerd in a thread as soon as he starts quoting the "Holy Grail." Nerd.
You can always pinpoint the nerd in a tread when he posting on a message board dedicated to text-based football managment sim. *pointing at you*

[Honolulu_Blue]

You can always pinpoint the nerd in a tread when he posting on a message board dedicated to text-based football managment sim. *pointing at you*

:eek: :eek: Do you DARE call MOI a NERD? MOI!?!?! SACRE BLEU!! :eek: :eek: I have killed men less!

[Honolulu_Blue]

You can always pinpoint the nerd in a tread when he posting on a message board dedicated to text-based football managment sim. *pointing at you*

I am cool, man... :cool:

[Celeval]

Awesome.. ok so my question.. if Arwen and Eowyn had a jello-wrestling fight in Minas Tirith, who would win? :)
Everyone watching.

[Alan T]

as an aside, if anyone has any Tolkien related questions, I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable and I have a ton of sources at my disposal, so I ought to be able to answer most anything.


Awesome.. ok so my question.. if Glorfindel and Gothmog had a jello-wrestling fight in Dol Guldur, who would win? :)

[Alan T]

Everyone watching.


I still say Eowyn > Arwen ....

[Celeval]

I still say Eowyn > Arwen ....
I agree on all counts. Including who would win.

[Celeval]

A bit. Married, now, too. ;)

[Alan T]

Wait.. you live in Maryland now? I was gone for a while wasn't I?

[Alan T]

A bit. Married, now, too. ;)

Same girl I assume? Geesh.. next thing you are going to tell me is you have kids.

[Alan T]

Dola.. and stop posting after me but having your posts go before mine. Its confusing me :)

[DaddyTorgo]

BAH! I call THREADJACK!

Oh yeah, and upon further review, I say Eowyn over Arwen (doesn't mean I'd perfer her more though...I tend to go with Saruman's description of the house of Rohan as "a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs." So I think I'd prefer Arwen.