So, with a big-budget production like this, you’d think they could defray some of the cost with a few well placed logos and brand names. Here are some of my suggestions:
When Legolas runs across the surface of the snow, we should just catch a glimpse of the Swoosh on his elf boots. Now that would be cool!
At the Prancing Pony, “What is that?” “This, my friend, is a pint…of Budweiser!” “I’m having one!”
But my personal favorite would be:
As Gandalf & Frodo discuss the ring, Gandalf drags Sam in through the window. "Sam Gamgee, is it? Now what may you be doing?
“Lor bless you, Mr. Gandalf, sir!” says Sam. “Nothing! Leastways I was just trimming the grass-border under the window, if you follow me.” He holds up a Weed-Wacker ™ as evidence.
Sarcasm. Sometimes I just can’t seem to help myself.
They could slightly alter Sam’s encouraging words to Frodo:
“Imagine, Mr. Frodo, someday maybe there will be games based on our adventures…games on shiny discs which allow people to assume your persona…most of them will be poorly realized, but I’m sure they will sell on name recognition alone, just think of the possibilities, Mr. Frodo!”
At the doors of Moria, Gandalf has just finished a long series of chants, spells and incantations to open the doors. Nothing works. Then he starts patting around his cloak, as if looking for something. Finally he says “Ah-hah! I knew I’d forgotten something!” He pulls out a Black & Decker garage-door opener, aims and clicks … and the doors of Moria open wide.
Remember the scene in Fellowship of the Ring where Frodo and co. first met the Black Rider? Pippin then threw a bag of vegetables away to distract the Black Rider…The Black Rider dashes over and from the bag withdraws a packet of Fisherman’s Friend
“Fisherman’s Friend…cures bad breath for anyone, including Undead Ringwraiths!”
I always thought that shot of those two huge statues - I forget their names - on either side of the river, with their arms held up, was screaming for a Sure deodorant ad.
And, of course, Gandalf would make a great laxative spokesman. “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!! Sound familiar? Try Ex-Lax!”
The four hobbits make a mad dash for Buckleberry Ferry, with Frodo having to do some fancy footwork to get around the Black Rider. As Frodo clears the last jump and collapses on the deck of the boat by his friends, all of them grin toothily back at the Ringwraith and brandish their Mentos.
