Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by brewthunda (A) on August 11, 2002 at 15:17:36

In Reply to: what the H#LL type of ending was that?! posted by mart on August 10, 2002 at 04:43:33:

I totally agree. When I saw it in the theaters I remember my friends saying how fantastic it was and how it perfectly tracked the book - I pointed out that the movie tried so hard to follow the book that it ignored the standard formulas that we require to enjoy a movie - namely a gradual buildup to a defining climax and resolution. I have no doubt that The Fellowship of the Ring will feel complete when viewed together with the sequels (which have already been filmed and are scheduled for release this November (I think) and next year), but when viewed on its own this movie feels incomplete.

When you're reading an adventure epic like the Lord of The Rings, you want it to go on and on. You don't need it to have a grand climax/resolution 2 hours into the story because it's the minutia of the adventures that bring joy. You know that there will be resolution down the road - maybe 10-20 hours of reading away - but your pleasure of reading isn't dependent on reaching that resolution.

In a movie, however, you need to have the story wrapped up before you leave the theater. The climax and resolution are far more important to a successful movie than the minutia. The Fellowship of the Ring sould probably been a much better stand alone movie if they had taken a few liberties with the screenplay.

That said, I have high hopes for the next two installments. If they are as good as The Fellowship of The Ring, together they should form a landmark accomplishment.

Hold on to your DVD. In two years when you own all three movies, you can hold a marathon Lord of the Rings viewing session and enjoy the sense of closure that episode one lacks.