Is LORT truly a groundbreaking film? INTELIGENT POSTS ONLY!

Yes...

I am certainly not an "LOTR freak who won't stop blabbering," because I know exactly who you're talking about (i.e. "Orlando Bloom's hot!" or "I like swords!"), but you are wrong on most of your points. Here's why:

(1) Overall, this is a movie adapted off of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. You may view it as just a "lah lah fantasy," but go read some Tolkien, really read it, and tell me if it doesn't get you thinking. The fact that a story has to be told in a feasible movie running time cuts down on the amount of literary imagery and ideas that Tolkien was able to express.
(3) I somewhat agree with you there, but then that's anyone's decision. Not everyone has the same film tastes, and it takes some watching to decide what you do and don't like (though I will admit LOTR is unlike a lot of films in the genre). Technically, I suppose, there is no "anyone on the street."
(5) See #1 for a lot of this: I concede the point that to a certain extent Peter Jackson and all the people involved with LOTR couldn't get as engrossing an experience as actually reading the book; few book-to-movie adaptations can. But if you look at it, they still managed, in the theatrical cut, to give a good story emphasizing the points that need to be emphasized. Also, I think the fact that you call it "blown up and popped like a balloon" is laughable. The amount of story elements from Tolkien they cut down to make a good movie is astronomical. They took out not only drudgerous parts of scenes like Shadow of the Past and The Council of Elrond, but whole parts completely like The Old Forest and Tom Bombadil. They got the story where it needed to be for anyone who was willing to invest their time in the movie.
(6) The angles on this movie are just great. I did a double-take when #6 was on your "needs improvement" list. If they're fast anywhere, which are they less often then you make them out to be, it's to create the sense of urgency or energy that a certain scene might condone. The wide angles do a very nice job of sweeping an epic area.
(8) I don't believe this should even really be on the list. You certainly exaggerate it with your false claim of "billions of subplots," but the fact is that while watching a movie you are just seeing what happens. The movie should deliver a good, residual story, which it does, so that you can think about it afterwards.

To go back, I see your claim about subplots gaining more merit in the 2nd two movies, but it doesn't, to me, feel like a mishmash of things not related to the main plot. There are many major plot devices that must be shown to get the full story told. If you followed Frodo and Sam and Gollum all the way from Anduin straight to Mordor, and then all of a sudden Gandalf was there to save them, you'd wonder what the heck was going on. Then too much flashback exposition would be needed, and then it would be too tedious. As it is, they're adapting a book to a movie and don't feel too keen to take lots of liberties with Tolkien's beloved story.

As far as long and draggy goes, I somewhat agree with you there...at least on the endings. But in order to make three seperate movies three separate movies, as it were, they had to cut off some books before or after their actual endings in the script. So the narrative endings provided by Tolkien were lost in translation somewhere, and it turned out a bit cumbersome to end them well. Thanks for providing me with...um...minutes of entertainment writing my rebuttal. I hope you've enjoyed this edition of my message.

When you say 'groundbreaking', I am going to guess that you mean 'is LOTR a good film' (in being able to supply evidence in order to suit the criteria that you and most others feel makes a good movie)? Whilst that is an opinion the I shall share, might I just say that... an eight year long project, over 2500 cast/crew, three movies being made simultaneously, a small budget in relation to the size of the film (big budget, yes, but not when you're making an epic this big), adapting one of the best novels of our time into a screen play that would satisfy both the newbies and the hardcore fans... I think it was a groundbreaking film. You won't see anything in its league for a long time. It really has pushed the limits.

Now, onto whether it's a good film...

1. Gets me thinking after the film is done.

A) This film certainly got me questioning my own philosophy of 'good and evil'. If you look passed the fantasy 'lahlah' as you call it, you'll find the metaphors and the meanings and the essence of the story. The Ring is a symbol of the power of men, of the humans of today even, and each character ebodies a certain characteristic that we all possess. I won't get into the more religious symbols, but I think I can safely say that this film got me thinking.


3. Ability to recommend to "anyone on the street"

I think LOTR holds different categories that anyone might enjoy. From action thrill seekers would enjoy the epic battles and sword fights, to romance lovers would be rapt by the prospect of the undying love between Aragorn, a mortal, and Arwen, an immortal. Then there are the fantasy freaks, and thoughs that appreciate a thick and lengthy plot, or those that appreciate the work that was put into the films. Yes, I think I could rec. LOTR to "anyone on the street".

5. Quality and creative storylines

Need I say anything? The films were, as anyone knows, based on one of the greatest fictions of our time. I don't think they were blown up, they were just captured on screen. You can't cut down scenes and storylines when morphing text to picture. Of course its going to get blown up somewhat.

6. Interesting camera angles and overall presentation.

Indeedy-do. Just watch the movie. A lot of fast-paced stuff that made you feel dizzy, but then some enrapturing close ups that just look plain artful.


8. Gets me thinking during the film

Refer to number one. Whilst I certainly don't go into mental philosophy debates whilst watching the movie, I definitely like to think on the metaphors and the meanings behind the glitz and glamour during watching. Best time for it, really. :)

10. Puts new previously unheard of effects or camera angles, tactics, etc.

(Just answering this one to sum up my statements, even though you agreed that LOTR filled it up.) When they didn't have a program for computer generated flame, do you know what they did? They invented one. Everything in this movie has the rawness and experimental touches of a true short-film director, which makes it so awesome for me. Every about LOTR is different. And yes, as you say, in years to come it will be history. Firstly, everything will be history. Secondly, it will inspire newer things ahead of it in ways other movies can't. Thirdly, it will be *notable* history. People will remember it for ages to come.

These are reasons I think LOTR is truly a groundbreaking movie. ^^ Hopefully I challenged you. If not, nyeh. I tried.

I just want to say one thing, you've spelt intelligent wrong.

Do you, people, know which comp programms has been used for this film making?

I really think Lord of the rings was an EXCELLENT film. First of all, it is incredably difficult to transfer somthing as vast as Lord of the Rings into a movie. Lotr kept me thinking for weeks on end and it was beautifully done. So maybe it was a little bit long, but they did an excellent job of cramming down so that it would not be over 4 or 5 hours long. I think that it is the best film i have ever seen. People would truely apriciate the hard work that is behind the movie. I am challenging Filmwiz to think differently because i could not get Lord of the Rings out of my head for atleast a month, and to many subplots???? It was a book first and they couldnt cut out any of them becuase people are already complaining that they didnt keep the battle for hobbiton in the movie. They did cut the story down imensley, the didnt blow them up and pop them like a balloon! It has sooo much meaning. It meens diferent things to different people. Maybe you didnt get anything out of it, but there are many good messages. It is about the fight against good and evil and that good will win out eventually and than even the smallest person can have the hugest effect on the cource of this world. I would deffinatly recomend this movie to anyone i saw on the street because it was an incredebly well done film. If not, why did it win 11 oscars?
(But then again, just personal opinion.)

Um...11 Oscars? That would be a "yes".

I find it amusing that you would ask for "intelligent" posts, when you can't even spell the word correctly!

Also, what is LORT? Just curious, because I haven't seen THAT movie yet!

My first suggestion to you would be to not call names, I guess your parents didn't teach you that lesson at your house! When you call a Lord of the Rings fan a "freak", you are calling BILLIONS of people that name. That is not fair, and uncalled for. So far from your post, I have concluded that YOU are the unintelligible one. Also, your screen name "FilmWhiz", doesn't suit you. I don't see anything whizzy about you or your thoughtless opinions.

So let's talk about some of those thoughtless opinions of yours, shall we?

The issues YOU have with the film(s):

1. It doesn't get YOU thinking during OR after the film.

Er, I hate to break it to you, but you "think" all day long, unless you don't have a brain in your head. Do you not possess your "own" imagination? Granted, these movies are largely fantasy, however, if you leave the theatre without any thoughts in your mind, that means there is something wrong with YOU, not the film.

2. The ability to recommend to "anyone on the street".

Are you mute? You do have the "ability" to speak, do you not? Assuming that you are able to speak, I seriously doubt after you have seen ANY movie, do you immediately run out to the street and start telling perfect strangers how great the movie was you just saw! How absurd and unrealistic! You might choose to tell close family, friends, co-workers, etc. We all know after that, the word spreads from there.

3. Quality and creative storylines.

All I have to say on this is: If you think YOU can do a better job, I suggest you pick up some pen and paper and start writing, buster brown! I bet you money you don't come up with anything better! Have you read the LOTRs books? Do you not realize how difficult it was for them to translate those books into movies?!? Apparently not. Are you blind as well?

4. Interesting camera angles and overall presentation.

Well, this one makes no sense because it contradicts the other comment you made. You said the LOTR movies DO try new previously unheard of effects or CAMERA ANGLES, tactics, etc. ETC? If all of this doesn't count as overall presentation, I don't know what does! Good Lord.



On a last note, I hope you can find some kind of appreciation for these movies, and for the very hard work, blood, sweat and tears that went into making them. If you like critiquing movies, you should realize that what you are saying is NOT constructive criticism. Try to express your opinions in another way. Otherwise, keep your trap shut!

Like I said before, unless YOU think YOU could take YEARS out of your life, rewrite 3 of the best loved books of all time for the screen, take time away from family and friends, bust your butt to manage and direct almost everyone related to the project, and many, many more tasks that would take me all day to name, then you have NO business saying anything derogatory about these movies!!

You have no right, to hell with freedom of speech! You do not have the right, unless you think you can do better! That is the way it is bubba. Imagine having to do ALL of that, and then having a little insolent swine come along and say the whole thing SUCKED! I think you need a good slap in the face back into reality. I hope you get it soon.


Have a blessed day!


~Denise :o)