Taken as just the movies I’m not sure why one could conclude he was anything other than an extremely powerful elf or human sorcerer. The movies never even hint at the creation myth or the possibility Gandalf & Sauruman are anything other than human. The movies give us a pretext for very long-lived humans (Aragorn is pushing 90 and looks about 30-40) which makes the wizards long lives all the more plausible.
So as to whether Sauron would have been a human or an elf? I’d lean more strongly toward human owing to the expressed weakness of humans for power. The elves don’t spend much time trying to control the will of others, but the humans are all about maximizing their own influence through manipulating others. Denethor is a good example of that–he bullies his sons using strategies tailored to the weaknesses of each in order to get them to do his bidding. Sauron tried to pull the same thing (amped up with magic) to control the other races.
I disagree, because when I write movie, I mean the goddamn theatrical version. The bit about Aragorn being in his late 80s is not something a casual viewer would know, and thus by RhymerRule number 2984-q does not count.
Noted. But with all due respect and deference, under the RymerMinionCode, subsection ZZ/1.2(a) abbreviated communications are permissible when average minion intelligence precludes comprehension of the complete idea. When ambiguity exists in the abbreviation, the complete original communication shall serve as the binding source.
Given the theatrical and dramatic films were written, shot, and compiled at approximately the same time the theatrical would be properly considered an abbreviated form of the longer, more detailed dramatic. Therefore Aragorn’s age is admissible and relevant.
Don’t bother me with facts. That scene is just another reason why Movie!Aragorn is a wanker who needed a series of brutal open-handed slaps across the face. I would continue with my prior argument but I forgot what it was.
I think I figured out why I knew Gandalf et al weren’t human: because I was at least tangentially familiar with RPG classes, and Wizards aren’t humans there. At least, they’re right there with other species. And that likely ultimately was Tolkien’s influence.