Rank the LOTR/Hobbit films

[FrodoEyes]

Christ almighty how are we supposed to get a clear picture of peoples preferences without going through every page without a poll???

While i'm here it's FOTR, ROTK, TTT

 

[Khev]

As I mentioned in the Hobbit thread I recently watched the entire LOTR trilogy on blu-ray this past week and I probably would change my ranking slightly to bump FOTR past AUJ.

1. ROTK: EE
2. FOTR: TE
3. The Hobbit: AUJ
4. TTT: TE
5. TTT: EE

ROTK is as epic as it gets. I had remembered it to be my favorite but with some flaws due to the bloated nature of its grandeur in parts. Not this time. It was almost like watching an entire trilogy in one sitting just by itself! But in proper widescreen (not cropped TNT HD) and in Extended Format I loved every minute of it. I had to chuckle in realization of just how vastly it surpasses the mighty "Avatar" in every way. Even if you watch Avatar just for the end battle it can't hold a candle to Pelenor fields.

I was most surprised to discover that I much prefer the theatrical cut of TTT over the extended. The entire first half, possibly even more, just kind of drags and I felt myself just waiting, waiting, waiting, for things to pick up as the people of Rohan finally start marching toward Helm's Deep. And that's even with the theatrical cut, the extended just drags it out even longer! All the events depicted in that particular film are fine and don't lessen the overall narrative but it just isn't nearly as engaging as anything in FOTR or ROTK.

The only thing the extended TTT actually adds of value is the Boromir scene. In a perfect world we'd get a cut of TTT that *only* had that one scene added in but as it is it just isn't worth the extra 30 or so minutes of prolonged and less than captivating buildup in the first half that just makes watching everything up to Helm's Deep a bit of a chore. Helm's Deep itself is just fantastic and every bit on par with some of the greatest moments of the other films. I hate how once again the EE mars it a bit by interrupting the awesome segue between Theoden's "where is the horse and the rider speech" to the trumpet score as Aragorn suits up with a jarring Treebeard scene where he goes off about taking a long time to say anything worth saying.

FOTR and ROTK and AUJ all have their "slow" parts but I still find them fully interesting and engaging. Not so with the first half of TTT.

Between FOTR and AUJ I really think that FOTR will be the "Raiders of the Lost Ark," just pretty much perfect in every way, while AUJ is the "Temple of Doom," just good old fashioned adventure that I'll probably find myself watching more often than its superior predecessor.

 

[K07]

I think TTT is better than either version of RotK. It's all opinion really. But I do feel the whole series tend to "drag" starting in TTT and it only gets more noticeable as time goes on. Perhaps I need to stop watching them all in one day?

 

[The Josh]

I think TTT is the lowest ranked of the three The Lord of the Rings films but I wouldn't say I think the EE dragged at all. For me the EE made TTT even better especially when it comes to Faramir.

Khev have you read the books?

 

[DiFabio]

If any of them drag, it's Return of the King Extended Edition. That **** is bloated.

Only worthwhile scenes added back in is the death of Saruman, Mouth Of Sauron at the Black Gate and scenes that flesh characters out more, like Merry showing his loyalty to Theoden, or Pippin and Faramir discussing Faramir's youth and Boromir. Things like Gandalf choking on pipe weed or Legolas and Gimli drinking or a skull avalanche at the Paths of the Dead is unnecessary for an entire, theater viewing. They're fun on their own, but if you're watching an entire film, you can FEEL those things starting to feel like they don't belong.



Then again, I didn't need to know Aragorn was 87 in Two Towers Extended Edition, though Eowyn not being able to cook was a nice touch . . .


I do agree that the most important scenes added back into Two Towers was the ones involving Boromir and Faramir. With the extended versions, it really fleshes both of them out and makes them some of the best characters in the series. Two Towers is flashback heavy, and I mean REALLY flashback heavy, but those Boromir and Faramir scenes are gold. I hate the extended Ent/Tree stuff though. It's a killer.


Still think Fellowship is the best (I rank the films as they were released), but I don't get the Indiana Jones analogy.

 

[The Josh]

I thought knowing Aragorn was 87 was a nice touch and a nice nod to the books with that bit of info. Gandalf choking and the skulls could have been left out in ROTK though.

For me the EE have some bits like the two I mentioned above that are "eh" but as a whole are a book readers dream. They're such a nice blend of whats in the books and adapted material. At least for me.

 

[Kamandi]

I went to The Hobbit with a friend and as a way of pre-screening the film for my kids. I walked out feeling like the target audience changed throughout the film. The plate song was a great bit for the kids, but there's the lengthy discussion between Gandalf, Saruman, Elrond and Galadriel which would make any kid fidget.

I decided I wasn't uncomfortable with the content of the film, I just wasn't sure it would hold their interest.

 

[Khev]

I think TTT is the lowest ranked of the three The Lord of the Rings films but I wouldn't say I think the EE dragged at all. For me the EE made TTT even better especially when it comes to Faramir.

The *theatrical* edition of TTT dragged, and the EE was even worse.

Khev have you read the books?

No, I read the Hobbit two or three times growing up but have only watched the cartoons for the other three. Just haven't gotten around to making time for them. That said, "faithfulness to scenes from the book" never trumps making a good movie.

Now The Two Towers is more than a good movie, in fact I include with the rest of the LOTR films as among my favorite of all time. But I do notice the "checking my watch" factor of the first half of TTT which I don't experience for any of the other three films, not even ROTK EE.

 

[The Josh]

The *theatrical* edition of TTT dragged, and the EE was even worse.

Intersting. Can't say I feel the same but that's what makes the world go round

No, I read the Hobbit two or three times growing up but have only watched the cartoons for the other three. Just haven't gotten around to making time for them. That said, "faithfulness to scenes from the book" never trumps making a good movie.

Now The Two Towers is more than a good movie, in fact I include with the rest of the LOTR films as among my favorite of all time. But I do notice the "checking my watch" factor of the first half of TTT which I don't experience for any of the other three films, not even ROTK EE.

You need to read the books. I think it would make you have a great appreciation for the movies. I agree sometimes you have to change things and it works for the better, and that happens within all four movies. However, there are some things which are put into the EE especially that is more book centric that make it a better movie.

I don't know what to tell ya there. I really don't feel that way at all about any of the movies. Obviously people's mileage may vary.

 

[Khev]

You need to read the books.

I will. I've owned them for a number of years and will get around to it one of these days. Since the Hobbit films are including material from the appendices I'll just wait until this new trilogy is complete so that I can experience as much as possible "cold" on the big screen.

 

[Kamandi]

The *theatrical* edition of TTT dragged, and the EE was even worse.

For me TTT was all about Helm's Deep. That stuff was exceptionally well done, so everything else was a cherry on top.

 

[Khev]

For me TTT was all about Helm's Deep.

Well that's actually what I had just posted as well.

I was most surprised to discover that I much prefer the theatrical cut of TTT over the extended. The entire first half, possibly even more, just kind of drags and I felt myself just waiting, waiting, waiting, for things to pick up as the people of Rohan finally start marching toward Helm's Deep. And that's even with the theatrical cut, the extended just drags it out even longer! All the events depicted in that particular film are fine and don't lessen the overall narrative but it just isn't nearly as engaging as anything in FOTR or ROTK.


The only thing the extended TTT actually adds of value is the Boromir scene. In a perfect world we'd get a cut of TTT that *only* had that one scene added in but as it is it just isn't worth the extra 30 or so minutes of prolonged and less than captivating buildup in the first half that just makes watching everything up to Helm's Deep a bit of a chore. Helm's Deep itself is just fantastic and every bit on par with some of the greatest moments of the other films.

 

[The Josh]

I will. I've owned them for a number of years and will get around to it one of these days. Since the Hobbit films are including material from the appendices I'll just wait until this new trilogy is complete so that I can experience as much as possible "cold" on the big screen.

Got ya. I don't think it would really ruin anything to be honest but if you're going for a going in cold feeling then your plan is best. Do you or don't you know how some of the events in the third film go? I mean I'm sure I or others have let slip what happens.

 

[Khev]

I remember the broad strokes. The resolution of the "Smaug" issue and some epic military confrontations. Other encounters with certain critters and so forth. Trying to be vague here for others who don't know what happens.

But yes I've noticed you guys openly talking about certain events and situations regardless of who might have or have not already read the book.

 

[DiFabio]

For Two Towers, I'm in it more for the Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli journey. With them, we have the chase to the Uruks, the return of Gandalf the White and of course the battle for Helms Deep. (Ironically, their role in ROTK is a snooze fest whereas, the other key players get the better portion of the story).

With Frodo, Sam and Gollum, it doesn't get interesting until Faramir comes across them and they become captives.




I love Merry and Pippin, but the Ent stuff is almost unbearable on multiple viewings, especially if you're doing a marathon and it's the extended editions. When there's some interesting stuff happening, say Helms Deep for example, and they cut to Treebeard taking his good old time, I want to pull my hair out. I know that's the point (Jackson said he wanted their scenes to be boring and long) but it's not for me. The Merry and Pippin journey is great until they meet Treebeard. It picks up when they go to Isengard though, but that Fangorn stuff, hnnnnnnggggggg.

 

[Kamandi]

Well that's actually what I had just posted as well.

I'm sort of agreeing but I didn't view LOTR in the same mindset as other films. I was OK with how they took their time.

The Hobbit I viewed with my kids in mind, and I'll give them a year. They'll probably suprise me and want to see all The Hobbit films in one showing.

 

[Khev]

I love Merry and Pippin, but the Ent stuff is almost unbearable on multiple viewings, especially if you're doing a marathon and it's the extended editions. When there's some interesting stuff happening, say Helms Deep for example, and they cut to Treebeard taking his good old time, I want to pull my hair out. I know that's the point (Jackson said he wanted their scenes to be boring and long) but it's not for me. The Merry and Pippin journey is great until they meet Treebeard. It picks up when they go to Isengard though, but that Fangorn stuff, hnnnnnnggggggg.

Seriously.

I just watched all three back to back and the extended Treebeard scenes in TTT are just excruciating in parts. Theoden makes his epic "horse and rider" speech and instead of immediately cutting to Aragorn suiting up and everyone getting ready for battle we get the massive show stopper of Treebeard spending five minutes telling us he likes to take forever to tell us stuff.

 

[Kamandi]

Agreed on the Ent stuff.

 

[Khev]

The Ent march on Isengard was great (especially the music as they emerge from the forest)but the theatrical edition has about as much Treebeard as I can comfortably bear.

 

[The Josh]

I remember the broad strokes. The resolution of the "Smaug" issue and some epic military confrontations. Other encounters with certain critters and so forth. Trying to be vague here for others who don't know what happens.

But yes I've noticed you guys openly talking about certain events and situations regardless of who might have or have not already read the book.

Ok got ya.

Yeah, I'm trying not to but I don't think about it that way to be honest. I'm so used to talking about The Hobbit openly since most people I talk with about it have read the book.

I just watched all three back to back and the extended Treebeard scenes in TTT are just excruciating in parts. Theoden makes his epic "horse and rider" speech and instead of immediately cutting to Aragorn suiting up and everyone getting ready for battle we get the massive show stopper of Treebeard spending five minutes telling us he likes to take forever to tell us stuff.

Its a little long and maybe not my favorite in the movie but I'd say its actually a slower section in the book. I like both versions more now but they did drag a little at first.