# Two Towers whine ... spoilers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 24, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757 "2002-12-24T19:58:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/141 "2003-01-04T01:59:54Z")
Doubt it. There’s more than one forge in NZ. We might be small but by god we seem to have forges in every tourist town now 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/142 "2003-01-04T02:29:43Z")
The only thing that really bugged me is how many arrows Legolas fires compared to the number of arrows he has in his quiver. He claims to have killed 17 Orcs before he ever is seen drawing a sword, then he kills two more. He shoots several more while sliding down the shield not to mention the two he puts into the torch guy. I guess he could be grabbing arrows from fallen guys, but I would like to see him do it, otherwise it feels like the cheesy Westerns where a guy shoots 18 times form a six shooter. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/143 "2003-01-04T02:43:30Z")
Obviously Legolas has the Incredible Quiver of Holding. Or it’s a Trump artifact, I can’t decide. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/144 "2003-01-04T04:04:52Z")
I remember in the book he says that he is having to scrounge for more arrows after the Battle of Helm’s Deep has been going on for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/145 "2003-01-09T12:45:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HennaDancer \* > \*\*Me, too! I mean, he can shoot a chain at the exact right place so it splits, but he can’t off one really big guy running in the clear holding a torch for Og’s sake? > Legolas’s skills are extremely variable, as they were in the first movie. I have hobbyist friends- not Grand Master Bowman type guys but I shoot every couple of weeks guys- who shoot faster than what he’s portrayed as doing, and more accurately. He’s had how many decades to practice? He should be way better. \*\* Well, he made 2 shots right at the neck. I assume he was pretty surprised that the orc didn’t die. It appeared to be some sort of specially bred orc with a high endurance, or something, though, and perhaps where he hit would be more than sufficient to kill any normal orc. ---
**Author:** ![Riboflavin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Riboflavin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riboflavin)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/146 "2003-01-09T18:18:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by //\etalhea|) \* > I can’t comment on your “Magic Wood” theory. Tolkien wasn’t one for cop-outs like that, but maybe PJ is. The only magic wood I’ve seen is in my pants. Yes, of course! Magic wood is a ‘cop-out’ in a story that involves wizards, talking trees, trees that come to life, a magical ring, ringwraiths, and all of that other stuff - wood that talks or starts walking around is fine, but should it not work in a fire exactly like one amateur blacksmith thinks it should (though can’t provide references for), that’s a cop-out. Especially when one of the themes of the book is how the evil people inflict wanton destruction on the natural world for their own ends, and when the burning is of an old, respectable forest and is being done by an evil wizard to make his iron. So, how long do you think it will be until the amateur biologists come along and tell us that trees can’t talk and call any mention of magic a cop-out? ---
**Author:** ![Homer\_J](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c37758/32.png) [@Homer\_J](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer_J)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/147 "2003-01-09T20:03:51Z")
just thought i’d mention something here On the commentries on FoTR, Fran Walsh (co-writer), refers to some of the mistakes they have been told of (the blue missing from Frodos sword(due to budget cuts says Peter -lol)) she refers to these fans (who spend all their time nit-picking) as anally retentive! Just so you know your efforts dont go unnoticed by the ‘BIG 3’!! ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/148 "2003-01-09T20:40:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Homer J \* > \*\*just thought i’d mention something here > > On the commentries on FoTR, Fran Walsh (co-writer), refers to some of the mistakes they have been told of (the blue missing from Frodos sword(due to budget cuts says Peter -lol)) she refers to these fans (who spend all their time nit-picking) as anally retentive! > \*\* She’s spot-on right, too. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/149 "2003-01-09T22:44:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RikWriter \* > \*\*She’s spot-on right, too. \*\* Amen. ---
**Author:** ![\_etalhea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/779978/32.png) [@\_etalhea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_etalhea)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/150 "2003-01-09T23:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Riboflavin \* > \*\*Yes, of course! Magic wood is a ‘cop-out’ in a story that involves wizards, talking trees, trees that come to life, a magical ring, ringwraiths, and all of that other stuff - wood that talks or starts walking around is fine, but should it not work in a fire exactly like one amateur blacksmith thinks it should (though can’t provide references for), that’s a cop-out. Especially when one of the themes of the book is how the evil people inflict wanton destruction on the natural world for their own ends, and when the burning is of an old, respectable forest and is being done by an evil wizard to make his iron. > > So, how long do you think it will be until the amateur biologists come along and tell us that trees can’t talk and call any mention of magic a cop-out? \*\* I provided references. Not to mention the common-sense reference of “Hey, have you ever observed what happens when you throw green wood on a campfire?” Want me to start a thread on “Hey, everyone tell this guy how bad green wood smokes when thrown on a fire”? ---
**Author:** ![Peach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@Peach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peach)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/151 "2003-01-09T23:43:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SenorBeef \* > \*\*Well, he made 2 shots right at the neck. I assume he was pretty surprised that the orc didn’t die. It appeared to be some sort of specially bred orc with a high endurance, or something, though, and perhaps where he hit would be more than sufficient to kill any normal orc. \*\* yes, he did have a look on his face that was like “wtf?” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/152 "2003-01-11T17:13:33Z")
Gollum certainly appears to be a computer-generated character. But the credits indicate that Gollum was played by an actor. Perhaps Gollum is a computer-enhanced character. Anybody have info from the fan sites? ---
**Author:** ![jack\_ss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@jack\_ss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_ss)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/153 "2003-01-11T20:13:48Z")
Andy Serkis does the voice of Gollum. His image is CGI. I hear it was based on Mr. Serkis’ facial expressions while he read the script. **Metalhead** , you’re right about the wood thing. But you gotta let some things slide, it’s not worth raising your blood pressure over. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/154 "2003-01-11T22:28:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Duality \* > Gollum certainly appears to be a computer-generated character. But the credits indicate that Gollum was played by an actor. Perhaps Gollum is a computer-enhanced character. > > Anybody have info from the fan sites? From the Fellowship extended DVD: Andy Serkis acted out all the scenes with Frodo and Sam (etc.) wearing a skin-tight suit with ‘motion capture emitters’ at each joint. This helped the computer guys to track all his movements and replace him with a CGI. Serkis also did the voice and provided the basis on which Gollum’s expressions were made. Roll on Best Supporting Actor! ---
**Author:** ![Riboflavin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Riboflavin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riboflavin)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/155 "2003-01-11T23:08:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by glee \* > Andy Serkis acted out all the scenes with Frodo and Sam (etc.) wearing a skin-tight suit with ‘motion capture emitters’ at each joint. That’s not quite right; when they filmed the scenes, he did them in a skin-tight suit but there wasn’t any motion capture stuff on it. After the initial filming, he spent a lot of time in a studio in a motion capture suit redoing any scenes where the effects guys needed it (which was a lot of them, though not all). He also did some additional close-ups and dialogue, and did another voice or two though I forget where. It’s just too bad that a certain waste of CGI gets the honor of being the first full-part CGI character in a live-action film, but Gollum is definately the first GOOD full CGI character in a live-action film! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/156 "2003-01-12T21:26:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Riboflavin \* > … He (Serkis) also did some additional close-ups and dialogue, and did another voice or two though I forget where. > > It’s just too bad that a certain waste of CGI gets the honor of being the first full-part CGI character in a live-action film, but Gollum is definitely the first GOOD full CGI character in a live-action film! Serkis did the voice of the Black Rider asking a scared hobbit the way to ‘Baggins…Shire’. I think that was only on the extended DVD (don’t blame me - I’ve watched both films, plus the DVD, several times now!). I presume you mean Gollum was GOOD in the sense of well-portrayed - his morals are difficult to determine… Oh, and John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) also does the voice of Treebeard. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/157 "2003-01-14T00:02:40Z")
Damned if I’ll start another TTT thread just to link to this. You guys who like to read TORn may have seen this already. You’ll recall it was rumored that film Arwen was originally planned to have gone to Helm’s Deep; indeed, it seems she was filmed there and still survives in a couple of hard-to-see [image grabs](http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/2/1042493150) from TTT. Otherwise, she was written/digitized out. Hmmph. ---
**Author:** ![The\_MacDairmuid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_MacDairmuid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_MacDairmuid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757/158 "2003-01-14T07:30:33Z")
MetalHead – I noticed the sharpening wheel spinning in the wrong direction as well. I also noticed the green wood in the orc-pits of Isengard. I once dumped a crapload of green logs on the firepit in my backyard. Our catty-corner neighbor had to go on her breathing machine from the smoke. I can’t imagine that kind of smoke in a cavern!! As far as magical wood goes, I think Saruman has more on his mind than casting “Dessicate Wood” spells all day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-towers-whine-spoilers/144757.md?page=7)