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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BSF" data-source="post: 1237215" data-attributes="member: 13098">Trying to resist replying ... must resist ... failing the tempation ...OK, I will toss a few coppers in here.  Let me be clear, I am a book purist.  I generally re-read the books once a year or so.  I find it unfortunate that there are others that do not enjoy the books as much as I do.  But, I respect that everyone has completely different tastes.  If you didn't like the books, or were unable to even read them through, that is one thing that I don't share in common with you.  Of course, those differences can also help make the world an interesting place.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />That being said, it is a monumental task to translate the books to a movie.  I liked FotR, but I was prepared to hate Arwen's character.  They introduced her and took out Glorfindel.  He is one of my favorite unsung characters!  We are talking about the guy that led the elves when they routed Angmar in the Battle of Fornost.  This guy rocks!  Oh yeah, that doesn't really come out in the main story.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />  So, while I can understand why they cut him, I was still not sure if I would like it.  It worked.  Overall, they did a good job with FotR.  Then came the Two Towers.  Blech.  Admittedly, it is not an easy translation by any account.  I could stomach most of it.  But, the sullying of Faramir's character infuriated me.  I'm glad that people like the movie.  I'm glad that people felt empathy for Faramir.  I understand what they were trying to represent by having Faramir fall under the influence of the ring.  But, I still disagree with it.  To me, Faramir represents everything that the waning blood of the Stewards of Gondor should be.  His relationship with his father was strained because Boromir always seemed to be far more noble.  Boromir was willing to fight the good fight to defend his city.  Borormir was willing to do nearly anything for victory.  Boromir is the type of guy you want helping you when all the cards are on the table and you are fighting for your life.  Faramir would stop and think before acting.  In the eyes of Denethor, Faramir appeared to be timid in comparison to his older brother.  Faramir had a closer relationship with Gandalf and loved lore instead of battle.  Faramir had wisdom and nobility.  He was a distant reflection of the nobility of the race of men, nearly on par with Aragorn himself.  Faramir had the wisdom to discern what "Isildur's Bane" might be, to recognize that Boromir would have fallen prey to that temptation.  Faramir resisted the lure of the ring because he did not thirst for battle victory.  He focused his attention to merely helping Frodo and Sam.  Boy, I could go on, but I am just rambling.  Faramir is a much deeper character than many people seem to give him credit for.  That's fine.  We each interpret the story in our own ways.  Obviously, I disagree with the interpretation of the character on the screen.  But, it would have been difficult to convey this depth in a movie.  I don't like the interpretation, but I respect that the movie is focusing on specific aspects of the story.  You can't possibly examine every character in depth in a movie the same way you can in a lengthy novel.  I'll deal with my disappointment if it means that I can debate the finer points with more people later on.  The movie is one interpretation of the story, that's all.  And in that context, it is a pretty darn good one.  Personally, I would love to debate these points with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.  It is clear that they put a lot of love into the movie.  It would be an honor to try to sway them to my line of thinking.  Who knows, maybe I will even have that chance someday.  For that matter, I would like to discuss a lot of the changes that I disagreed with.  There are many.  But, I enjoy the movies and love the books.  I will be seeing Return of the King on December 17th.  I think it will be fun.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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