Lord of the Rings the movies, overrated?

I cant put my finger on it, but I seem to feel as you do Ray, I thought they were a bit "overdone" whatever the word is I'm looking for I didn't particularly enjoy them.

I find that most films dont quite live up to the months of hype that precede them.

I love them but then I loved the books - the films are so true to the feel of the books and brilliantly shot. So I have to disagree.

I feel the same way. The films did nothing for me.

I see dead people.

I only saw the first film which I felt became tedious at the end. The battles with monsters became repetitious. At least one battle could have been cut and then I would have been able to leave the theater at least twenty minutes earlier.

When I tried to read the books in high school, I was disappointed. The characters were too furry and animal-like. I felt like I was reading a "talking animal" story like "Winnie the Pooh".

I am not a LOR fanatic and I thought the last of the films could have easily been two. But I really enjoyed the films for their production values. On the whole I thought the trilogy was a plus. I have always thought Tolkin needed an editor. LW and I have gone round and round on this so to repeat I Liked all three of the films

The extended version is like two films, clocking in at over four hours! The fate of Saruman (Christopher Lee rejoice! -- he was dissapointed that he was left out of the theatrical version) was shot in new footage (these are not cutting room floor extended versions) as well as other storyline details that were in the book (I don't want to offer any spoilers). I recently reread all three books for the third or maybe fourth time and although I would have while I could see some editing here and there, this is an epic fantasy that builds an entire world, not just tell a tale. If one isn't well read in fantasy literature and has never read the novels, I can see where it might not impress. This has been argued on these boards almost to ad nauseum -- just enter "Lord of the Rings" in the search. One cannot ignore the overwhelmingly good critical and box office success of the films (see the latest box office article from Variety, bemoaning that there is no "Ring" to bring the Holiday box office over-the-top). So be privileged to not like the book or the films -- it's a free country, but once again taking pot shots at the phenomenon of LOTR has become superfluous.

(I think I'll bring back let's bash "The Passion of the Christ." NOT).

We spent the day yesterday watching all three extended DVDs. It was pretty amazing to see the whole story and the world unfold all at once, back to back. In all, it clocked in at 12 hours exactly. After that, we decided to pass on a game of Risk: LOTR version.

Was it a pajama party?

It was probably a weekend getaway.

LOTR and Risk? Whew. Brave man. :wink:

Well, like I said, we passed on a game of Risk. I'm not sure a night with the wife and the dog qualifies as a pyjama party, but she does have stick-on elf ears....I'll have to remember that in the future.

Oops...sorry...I'm an A-Hole. I thought you said you played the game of Risk. Upon re-reading your post, I find that you said you did NOT play. :wink:

Yeah, we have the LOTR edition, which is really cool, but loooong to play. Plus, I always win, which bothers her, heh heh.

Sounds like fun, though -- I'll have to get it. Get unstuck from chess and Super Scrabble!

It is fun, and I think they have instructions on how to play it in either traditional Risk rules, and LOTR rules.

I've read the trilogy many times and was pleasantly surprised that the film exceeded my expectations. There certainly were gaps for those familiar with the books (no Tom Bombadil) but pleasantly unexpected touches. For instance true to the book during the storm on the mountain engineered by Saruman just as in the book Legolas walked on the surface of the snow while everyone else was bogged down.

In all I was very happy with the rendition and there were vistas that were breathtaking. I gave it a hearty thumbs up.

Neat -- should be some sales on it after Christmas. Now since I have been giving the movies to family members each year, I can give them this next year!

I only saw the last film and it was an awesome experience in the theatre. I don't know how faithful it was to the book...I can't remember...it was so long ago that I read it.