Arwen: "What's this, a Ranger caught off his guard?'

I always had the same reaction to that line. Not only because it was out of character for Arwen, but because it was very incongruous in context, given that she knew what a life-and-death situation was in play. I think it was intended as humor, but really didn't fit. However, it's not a huge deal, just a blip as most of the screenplay in this film is excellent.

Arwen does speak in the books, at least once that I can think of: when she gave Frodo her gem, symbolically giving him her seat on one of the Elven ships that sail into the West.

arwen's character never bothered me. She comes into the picture beautifully and Elrond's daughter experiences fear.

Given their relationship, it seemed to me it was slightly mocking and flirtatious.

Given the narrative for the movie in a stand alone scene, it momenterilly raises the peril of Frodo and Strider, we won't know if Arwen is friend or foe.

It also allows Arwen to quickly convert from a mischievious girl into a powerful ally

I thought it was quite realistic for their relationship. Remember Arwen had known Aragorn since he was a teenager, and they weren't yet married at that point. She was teasing him as a form of greeting. Without small moments of that nature, their romance would have been less believable. Greeting a lover whom you've been parted from for some time by sneaking up behind them and making them jump is something quite common. Look at all the soldier-returning-home videos where they hide in a closet. Returning from the hell of war to see the loved ones you've been separated from is serious business, but we still find humour in it.
Besides, it made for a more interesting shot than Arwen stepping out from behind a tree and making small talk. She had plenty of time to be frantic and serious in the subsequent twenty-minute horse chase!

There are other small comic moments from other elves anyway. Elrond's affronted frown and then twinkling smile about the hobbits sneaking into the Council. Haldir's uncomfortable smile when Aragorn hugged him. Legolas has plenty with Gimli, and Galadriel laughed at Sam. It shows that they aren't just moving statues. That they have humour and are able to relate to humans (and other races, but from our POV it's a human interest), and vice versa.





The mirror... it's broken.
Yes, I know. I like it that way. Makes me look the way I feel.

I thought that line was believable. Kind of cute even.


Also, I believe in the original script for the trilogy, that Arwen was supposed to be a tad more adventurous and light-hearted. I'm sure in the version where she fought at Helm's Deep, she would have made been given some one-liners and quips that all of the other main participants got to have.