LotR: RotK - stupid question (maybe)

[Gaith]

I actually think that in RoTK does better in the extended edition as the regular one is too "Twitchy" in the sense it never has a breather.

It's the third act of one huge story - it shouldn't have breathers, IMHO. It'd be like showing Luke, Han, Leia and co. take nice, relaxing showers, getting massages, talking about how hope always survives, and sharing a goofy laugh or two on Yavin while the computer analyzes the Death Star plans. At the RotK point of LotR, everything should be one big rush, and those who aren't vital to the overall story (i.e., non-Fellowship members) shouldn't get character scenes all to themselves that don't advance the plot.

 

[Kegg]

I actually think that in RoTK does better in the extended edition as the regular one is too "Twitchy" in the sense it never has a breather.

It's the third act of one huge story

It's not. It's the third movie of a trilogy.

And a movie still has acts, including breathers. Just like The Two Towers wasn't all just build up to Return of the King, the film had its own climax at Helm's Deep.

At the RotK point of LotR, everything should be one big rush, and those who aren't vital to the overall story (i.e., non-Fellowship members) shouldn't get character scenes all to themselves that don't advance the plot.

That Faramir and Eowyn got a scene together was nice. Eowyn in particular is not a non-vital part of the narrative - in being the one who kills the Witch King of Angmar, she's more important to the actual story of this film then, say, Gimli. This ceased being about just the Fellowship with the Fellowship.

 

[Distorted Humor]

I actually think that in RoTK does better in the extended edition as the regular one is too "Twitchy" in the sense it never has a breather.

It's the third act of one huge story - it shouldn't have breathers, IMHO. It'd be like showing Luke, Han, Leia and co. take nice, relaxing showers, getting massages, talking about how hope always survives, and sharing a goofy laugh or two on Yavin while the computer analyzes the Death Star plans. At the RotK point of LotR, everything should be one big rush, and those who aren't vital to the overall story (i.e., non-Fellowship members) shouldn't get character scenes all to themselves that don't advance the plot.

Even "Return of the Jedi" was not one big roller coaster. you do need some slower bits, even if it just emotionally tense bits of Frodo, Sam, And Gollum to counterballance it. And sorry, there are non-fellowship members such as Eowyn that are key members of the plot. It is about pace, and if you go from one bit to the next and its all high tension high action, you will get fatigue and it will feel like they are squeezing in too much story. while even a few moments even near the end of a epic that gives you a rest, and makes the action bits just more effective.

 

[Gaith]

^/^^ Arrr, you two are right; I overstated my case and veered into hyperbole. Yes, RotK needs breather moments, but the theatrical has plenty - from Gandalf and Pippin's evening talk, to several Eowyn scenes and Frodo/Sam moments. I think PJ got the balance almost exactly right in the theatrical, is all, though I do think Gandalf vs. the Witch-King should have been left in.

 

[Distorted Humor]

^/^^ Arrr, you two are right; I overstated my case and veered into hyperbole. Yes, RotK needs breather moments, but the theatrical has plenty - from Gandalf and Pippin's evening talk, to several Eowyn scenes and Frodo/Sam moments. I think PJ got the balance almost exactly right in the theatrical, is all, though I do think Gandalf vs. the Witch-King should have been left in.

Good god, the rapture IS happening, someone agreed on the internet the other person was correct.

And in that spirt, fair enough if you think it had enough breathing space, I thought that the slightly slower Extended edition was better, but that is just IMO.

I still think BOTH have one too many endings...

 

[Gaith]

"Slightly" slower? It was fifty minutes, nearly all of it talk, talk, talk! But, fair enough.

... Though I do think the Tatooine sequence of Jedi is unpardonably boring for the OT's third chapter.

 

[Kegg]

I like talking. I am the kind of guy who likes movies that amount to people spending the entire feature talking.

I agree with Distorted Humour as well, though, in that Return of the King has a little too many fakeouts.

It's not the extended, cathartic conclusion that bothers me so much as the fade outs that suggests endings when that hasn't happened yet.

 

[Gaith]

Hey, I love cinematic talk too, but conversations upon conversations just distract from the urgent need to drop a piece of jewelry into a volcano. And, let's face it, none of these characters are really sparkling conversationalists.



Eowyn: Hey. I'm really worried about, you know, the possible end of the world and all that.

Faramir: Hey - you said you're a princess? I'm practically a prince, you know. And, you're kinda hot. Anyway, we always have hope.

Eowyn: Yes, but sometimes hope seems farthest away when you need it most.

Faramir: My people have always believed that's when we need to hold on to it tightest. And trust the Elfenstars or some such.

(awkward pause)

Faramir: But, you're right, in a few days we could all be wiped out... do you really want to die a virgin?

Eowyn: Did you just quote Independence Day at me?!



Yeah... not really helping with the story... even after I punch up the dialogue a bit.

 

[GNDN]

I have the extended versions on DVD. I haven't seen the theatricals since they were in the theater and really don't feel the need to go back. As a literary adaptation, I enjoy the fullness of the extended cuts, fully acknowledging that they would not necessarily play very well in a theater given the length and pacing. I wonder if the limited theatrical release will include an intermission?

I would be interested in a blu-ray release of both versions (I know they'll soon be available separately, but don't feel the need to double dip in that way) I'm sure that I would miss many of the extended scenes, however, and must now only decide if a blu-ray double dip is worth it to me based on picture quality alone.