First, the movie was great, very exciting and many cool visuals, but I left very unsatisfied. In the LOTR, when things were changed it was because some things had to be cut to keep it under 4 hours, that is fine, most people dont have a problem with that. In this one however, Jackson just changed things for the sake of changing them.
The two main things that bothered me. Details changed dont bother me, but when a character is completely changed, or for that matter a whole race is changed, that is important if you want to be true to the book as Jackson said he did.
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First, the last alliance between men and elves happened 3000 years previous, the high elves did not have the numbers or the inclination to go back to war. There time was through. Anyway, if Elrond had sent a detachment that large, the Noldor that lived in Rivendell would have cleaned up the Orcs. Orcs could not stand against the Eldar, Morgoth found that out in the first age.
Second, Faramir trying to take the ring was completely bogus. Bretth already said all there is to say in post #5.

Excellent movie, but in the closing credits, instead of saying 'based on works by JRR tolkien' should have said 'loosely based on works by JRR tolkien'.

Super nerd Drogiz

p.s. arwen left with a bunch of elves dressed in blue robes, next time we see a bunch of elves, they are entering Helms Deep. Anyone else have the feeling that Arwen was in the battle, and will be by Aragorn's side the entire next movie?

<<<I kinda got the impression that the elves we saw Arwen with were those heading west, while the elves that fought at Helms Deep were from the other elven population, sent by the Silver Lady. After all, we did see her scolding Elrond for abondoning the humans.>>>

Yes, yes, yes, you are correct, my mistake. The leader of the elves who were sent was Huldir, the one who took them to see Galadriel. Good catch
That would also make them Sindar elves, and not nearly as powerful against the orcs. Good call.

Drogiz

<<<Why are they less powerful? I'm not really up on my Middle Earth lore>>>

Nerd alert::::

The Eldar were in Valinor and saw the light of the two trees, and lived with the Valar (sort of small 'g' gods). They had all sorts of special powers and abilities. The Noldor (one of the three houses of the Eldar) came back to middle earth to regain items that Morgoth (renegade Valar) had stolen. The few who survived to the Third age live mostly with Elrond in Rivendell. Galadriel leads the Sindar in Lothlorien, but she is Noldor, the most powerful elf left in middle earth. That is why she has so many special tricks.
The Nazgul were powerless over the Noldor, and they could whoop up on any orcs sent after them. The only times that the Noldor were defeated was when some other big baddie, like dragons, or balrogs were sent against them. Humans and Dwarves could stand up to them in battle, in numbers, but orcs never could.

OK, super duper nerd alert::

When the elves first awoke into existence, they were invited to go to Valinor by the Vala, the ones who went were the Eldar, the ones who declined are the Avari (disappear from the story) The leaders of the three houses went to Valinor at first to see what the deal was, and returned and convinced there people to follow them. The largest of the three houses that went to Valinor was the Telari. Being so large the got strung out, some eventually made the journey, but many turned off the path and settled in middle earth. There leader stayed and fell in love with a Maia, becoming ruler of the Sindar. So they never dwelt in Valinor and never saw the light of the trees, which were the precursor of the sun and moon.

> explanation of elves

Cool, thanks.


Seldaren

I think my personal favorite was

Legolas asking something ot the effect of, do you want me to describe it for you or get you a box.

Arctuniol

"In an open world, Who needs windows or gates?"