kellinator | (no subject)

So, I FINALLY saw Return of the King this weekend.

And it was everything I'd hoped and more.

** I am now thoroughly of the opinion that Sam is the real hero. (Honestly, there were a couple of times when I wished he'd smack Frodo and tell him to stop being such a wanker.) Sam's really the one who saves the day, and no one ever really knows it, because he's far too noble to tattle on Frodo. And he doesn't get the adulation, the seat on the last boat out, but it's okay, because he gets the Shire, and Rosie and their children, and for him that's enough, because he knows what's really important. So in the final analysis, I love them all, but Sam is my absolute favorite.

** I cried for pretty much the last half-hour. I teared up when Theoden got killed, but I really turned on the waterworks when Sam started talking about Rosie, because he's been the rock the whole way through and it's the first time we really see him crack. Then I bawled at the coronation when Aragorn said "You bow to no one", and bawled A LOT at Bilbo's scene. Decrepit Bilbo is just upsetting.

** Absolute favorite eye-candy moment: Aragorn jumping off the ship. *swoon* Second favorite: Umm, pretty much anything with Faramir. Here's hoping for more Faramir in the EE. *swoon*

** I just love Legolas and Gimli. One of my favorite bits was Gimli's "never thought I'd die next to an elf" exchange.

** Also, just love Merry and Pippin. They really came into their own.

** I really wanted to hug Gandalf when he put the smack down on Denethor.

** Speaking of Gandalf, I saw Ian McKellen on Conan during the Christmas holidays, and he told this great story from filming. Seems the first scene he shot in the entire trilogy was Gandalf's first scene, where he arrives in Hobbiton, and the very next day, because of Cate Blanchett's schedule, they shot the last scene at the Grey Havens. Therefore, Sir Ian said something along the lines of "that peaceful expression on my face... that's because I have no idea who these people are."

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And he doesn't get the adulation, the seat on the last boat out, but it's okay, because he gets the Shire, and Rosie and their children, and for him that's enough, because he knows what's really important.

actually, he does...he gets out there, just not for many years yet... the last of the ringbearers departs middle earth.

Yeah, I'm behind on the books. Good to know. :)

Many points surrounding that are hotly debated by Tolkein scholars.

I hold fast to the belief that Sam made it to the Undying Lands, and Frodo was still living when he arrived.

It's certain from the books that the offer was extended to Sam, and it'd be unlike Tolkien to include that little detail if he didn't intend readers to imagine Sam making the journey to the Undying Lands eventually. (The same goes for the easily-missed detail that Gimli, too, had the option of going to the Undying Lands, because of his friendship with Legalas and his reverence for Galadriel.)

So methinks you're right. :-)

I take it you haven't read the book. This is why it is so well loved. :-)

I agree with all your scene choices. Though I love every bit of the movies. You will see more Faramir in the EE. They didn't touch on his and Eowyn's courtship. We only get a meaningful glance in this version.
*squee* I'm so looking forward to when it comes out!

but you know, coming from someone who hasn't read the books and didn't know ahead of time, that meaningful glance spoke enough to imply what's going on. i got it right there.

There's

boredoftherings for those of us who probably aren't going to see them. :)

I see someone else has already told you about Sam coming to the Undying Lands to meet up with Frodo many years later. *sigh* Theirloveissopure.

This is such an emotional movie for me. Especially since I *rarely* tear up at films. I nearly exploded from joy and pride when Eowyn whipped off her helmet. I cried like a baby when Sam began to remember the Shire (and the taste of strawberries). I wept when I first saw Bilbo after all this time. I nearly died when Frodo declared that you sometimes just can't go back because so much has happened. And those last parting shots - I looked like a Southern beauty queen after a long, hot, sweaty day in Alabama - mascara running down my cheeks. Not pretty.

I swear, if Peter doesn't get the Oscar, I'm going to have to do damage.

Have you seen this yet?

http://www.jerrythefrogproductions.com/ReturnOfTheKing.html

(still trying to figure out which Faramir/Eowyn icon I like the best...)

I read that last night!

For some reason, the Oliphant saying "Yo" cracks me up.

still trying to figure out which Faramir/Eowyn icon I like the best...)

This one's the best Faramir icon I've seen so far. Not sure I'd feel that way, if they hadn't turned Faramir into a completely different person in the movies. But the movie version of Faramir is a "merry men" kind of guy. ;-)

Yes yes yes!! Sam IS the hero! I hate it when I read articles stating that Frodo is the hero -- when it came down to the most important choice of his life... Frodo failed! If not for Gollum's obsession, Middle-Earth would've been ruled by an evil Hobbit! ;)

I don't know there is much of a debate in the Tolkien community about the fate of Sam, it states fairly clearly that he goes over to the undying lands in the appendix. The books appendix always has me crying more than the book itself because it talks about the fate of the fellowship. Parts of Merry and Pippin growing old and some of their children marrying or marrying Sam's children just tug at my heart strings. It follows them all until they die or pass into the west. How they are burried with honor in their old age. It's more like reading a family history than a work of fiction. I think that's why it sticks with people so much.

Oh, I'm going to go buy myself a nice edition and finish reading the books pronto. I told Adam he needed to read them just for Gimli, since he's so dwarf-mad.

I forgot to mention what was going through my head as Shelob sneaked up on Frodo: "Uh oh, looks like somebody blew his Listen roll."

If it was my choice, I'd take the Shire, Rosie, and the kids over the last boat out. I don't even see me considering the other choice.

As I mentioned in my post on this, I think the scene with Legolas taking out the Oliphant was wonderful!

/me looks to the right of the comment page and notices that I'm a voyeur. Yay!

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