Why Some Folks Didn't Like the Lord of the Rings Movies

This post has an interesting perspective on the Lord of the Rings movies, especially Return of the King. I don't agree, but there are some thoughts worth reading.

Worse, however, than the changes and elisions of Jackson, however, is the systematic debasement of each of the major characters, always in the direction of what is shallow and simple-minded, rife with contempt for what is different and special, too far removed from depth and power in potrayal to retain any force, save in the eyes of those who mistake frenetic energy for strength. This type of impoverished, stereotyped portrayal is vintage Hollywood, and The Return of the King is, simply put, Tolkien: Hollywoodized. In Jackson's clumsy hands, this Hollywoodization is like unto that of Sauron himself: he debases all he touches, removing all possibility of growth, strength, honor, and dignity.

Every movie of a book is more of a paraphrase than a translation. Peter Jackson has done something amazing with his LOTR trilogy- he has brought the essentials of Tolkien to the masses. Has he dumbed-down some of the aspects? Yes. Has he changed important parts? Yes. But he has retained the essentials of the story, and brought it to life in a way 21st century audiences can enjoy and even embrace. Compare that to the more literal translation of the Arthur legend in Excalibur - a film which is totally accurate, but painful to watch.