# I don't think I am going to like the Lord of the Rings movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2001, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161 "2001-11-19T05:59:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/1 "2001-11-19T05:59:19Z")
I saw the trailer while watching **Harry Potter**. Not one line of dialogue in it seemed remotely natural. I can’t imagine watching an entire film where every line feels like it was staged to sound important. It seems to be trying way hard for the epic feel, and missing out on what makes a good movie- engaging characters. All style and no substance. Something so staged that it leaves no room for wonder- no room for screen magic. Seems very self-conscious about the whole, thing, too. And pretentious. I think it is going to suck. ---
**Author:** ![Bossk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@Bossk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bossk)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/2 "2001-11-19T06:14:21Z")
And by the way, since when has a fantasy movie _ever_ done well in the States? I don’t remember seeing a \*Legend II, Krull III, \* or _Dragonslayer VII_. I dunno, am I missing any from the last twenty years? ---
**Author:** ![Bossk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@Bossk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bossk)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/3 "2001-11-19T06:18:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by even sven \* > \*\*I saw the trailer while watching **Harry Potter**. Not one line of dialogue in it seemed remotely natural. I can’t imagine watching an entire film where every line feels like it was staged to sound important. It seems to be trying way hard for the epic feel, and missing out on what makes a good movie- engaging characters. All style and no substance. Something so staged that it leaves no room for wonder- no room for screen magic. Seems very self-conscious about the whole, thing, too. And pretentious. > \*\* Hey, it can be all those things and still be well-loved. Just look at the car wreck that is _Gladiator_ if you want proof. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/4 "2001-11-19T06:59:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > **And by the way, since when has a fantasy movie _ever_ done well in the States?** Harry Potter seems to be doing all right for himself… 😉 > [@](#): > > \*\*I don’t remember seeing a \*Legend II, Krull III, \* or _Dragonslayer VII_. I dunno, am I missing any from the last twenty years? \*\* From the quality of your examples, I’m beginning to wonder if you’re trying to be ironic, and if so, I apologize and congratulate you for whooshing me… Anyway, as far as the OP goes – perhaps the lines from the trailer are “staged to sound important” because trailers tend to use important lines? And of course it tries to be epic – LotR _is_ epic, by design of the author! Besides, what you call pretentious, some could call stylized…and if Tolkien’s style doesn’t sit well with you (and I seem to recall you saying it doesn’t, **even sven** , though I’m sorry if I’m misremembering that) you probably _won’t_ like the movie. But then, how many people think they’ll like movies based on source material they dislike? I’m not exactly rushing out to rent, say, _Ethan Frome_… However, I suspect that I’ll love LotR. Only one more month to go… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/5 "2001-11-19T06:59:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > \*\*I don’t remember seeing a \*Legend II, Krull III, \* or _Dragonslayer VII_. I dunno, am I missing any from the last twenty years? \*\* Well, if sequels are what you want, I present . . . [_Beastmaster III_](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0112469) ---
**Author:** ![arachnidlove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@arachnidlove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arachnidlove)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/6 "2001-11-19T07:07:34Z")
I can only think of one reason I might not like LotR… Liv Tyler Blech!! I can’t stand her, her face, her lips, her whole self. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/7 "2001-11-19T08:08:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > **And by the way, since when has a fantasy movie _ever_ done well in the States?** Well, according to [this](http://us.imdb.com/Business?0082198), _Conan the Barbarian_ grossed $37.567 million, a pretty good haul in 1982… ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/8 "2001-11-19T11:51:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > \*\*And by the way, since when has a fantasy movie _ever_ done well in the States? > \*\* The Princess Bride didn’t do too badly. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/9 "2001-11-19T12:16:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > > \*\*And by the way, since when has a fantasy movie _ever_ done well in the States? > > \*\* > > The Princess Bride didn’t do too badly. > > Fenris \*\* Hmm, didn’t pass $100 million though. Although using that as an assessment is quite debatable, especially since it has a large fan base who have only seen it on the small screen. But plowing ahead and looking at the top 100 US films by total box office I count only 2 real fantasy movies. “Shrek” which should have real Elves (the best marker of fantasy as far as I’m concerned). Then there’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” No Elves but there are Whos. Those two films are 12 and 13 respectively. No no, I stand corrected. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” which does have Dwarfs (the 2nd best marker) comes in at 42, despite being released in 1937. Since Harry’s just about to pass $100 million and will without a doubt make it into the top 25 you can toss it in too. Some people are claiming Titanic will fall but I’ll believe that when I see it. As for the LOTR I know I’ll see it through rose colored glasses as well as being tickled pink just to see Gandalf and co. live and in action. Especially since I wish the cheesy 70s version was never made. But I really hope you’re wrong and this is a huge success. Because if it is it will send all the Hollywood bigwigs over to Amazon, B&N and Borders in droves to find hot fantasy books to make into movies. Like “The Sword of Shanara” (drool) and others. Although I haven’t seen the trailer since the bloody freaking cut it from the beginning of Harry Potter so they could show me some commercials!!! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/10 "2001-11-19T13:59:30Z")
I can’t remember the last time I correctly assessed a movie based solely on the trailer’s merits. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/11 "2001-11-19T15:37:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > \*\*And by the way, since when has a fantasy movie _ever_ done well in the States? > > I don’t remember seeing a \*Legend II, Krull III, \* or _Dragonslayer VII_. I dunno, am I missing any from the last twenty years? \*\* Hmmmm I dunno How about a little film known as Star Wars? Sure it was set in space (Like Krull) but the plot and character archtypes are pure fantasy! ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/12 "2001-11-19T16:09:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by even sven \* > **… I can’t imagine watching an entire film where every line feels like it was staged to sound important…** But it’s even more annoying when they go the other way. “Say, Bob, let’s go down to the Quickee Mart after we kill that Demon Princess and get ourselves a Slurpee and a burrito.” **Kull the Conqueror** was pretty vile for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/13 "2001-11-19T16:10:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by even sven \* > \*\*I saw the trailer while watching **Harry Potter**. Not one line of dialogue in it seemed remotely natural. I can’t imagine watching an entire film where every line feels like it was staged to sound important. It seems to be trying way hard for the epic feel, and missing out on what makes a good movie- engaging characters. All style and no substance. Something so staged that it leaves no room for wonder- no room for screen magic. Seems very self-conscious about the whole, thing, too. And pretentious. > > I think it is going to suck. \*\* This is simple: IT’S THE TRAILER! Of course they’ll put all dialogue like that in it. I’m sure that in the 6+ hours that the trilogy will run there will be plenty of room for creating characters. I figure that for writers that’s the great thing about a trilogy is that you know you have time to include that stuff. That said I’m not to hyped about the thing myself. Never been a big fan of LOTR. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/14 "2001-11-19T16:20:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kingpengvin \* > \*\* > Sure it was set in space (Like Krull) but the plot and character archtypes are pure fantasy! \*\* Krull was in space? My memory must be fading, or I’m thinking of a different movie… ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/15 "2001-11-19T16:43:04Z")
I agree with those who’ve said it’s not a good idea to judge a movie by its trailer, but my sentiments at this point lie with the OP. I suspect that all the charm of the books will be sucked out of the movie. Oh, it’ll have wonderful cinematography and terrific special effects, but it’s my hunch that it will be too “Hollywood” for me. Oh, and why is Elijah Wood playing Frodo? He looks nothing like what I pictured a Hobbit to be. Oh, that’s right, he’s cute, and will help sell the picture better than a true depiction of Hobbits ever would. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/16 "2001-11-19T16:55:49Z")
notcynical, how do you picture hobbits? Because for me Elijah Wood fits the description perfectly. Ian Holm on the other hand is very much not Bilbo. And from what I’ve heard of the Cannes trailer (over 30 minutes), the movie is very much like the book in its atmosphere and pace. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/17 "2001-11-19T17:39:50Z")
Ian Holm is _so_ Bilbo it’s kinda creepy… Am I the only person here who’s totally excited about this movie? ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/18 "2001-11-19T17:42:24Z")
Munch, it’s actually what I don’t picture them like that is my problem. I don’t picture them to look exactly like a teenage boy. I know that is hopelessly vague, so I think I’ll just drop it. As far as my hunch, I certainly hope the Cannes trailer is evidence that I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/19 "2001-11-19T17:42:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Am I the only person here who’s totally excited about this movie? I don’t think so 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161/20 "2001-11-19T18:32:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bossk \* > \*\*And by the way, since when has a fantasy movie _ever_ done well in the States? > > I don’t remember seeing a \*Legend II, Krull III, \* or _Dragonslayer VII_. I dunno, am I missing any from the last twenty years? \*\* Well most fantasy movies just aren’t that good. Legend, Krull, and Dragonslayer just didn’t find that big of an audience while in the theaters. Conan managed to spawn a sequel though. Marc [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-i-am-going-to-like-the-lord-of-the-rings-movie/94161.md?page=2)