Membranophonist’s Ramblings

Warning: spoilage ahead.

There is one scene that ought to be completely removed: after Sam and Frodo are rescued from the volcanic outcropping by the gigantic eagles, Frodo is shown recovering in bed, stub bandaged and on his way to good health. At this point, the cheesiest and most predictable scene of the movie begins. Gandalf enters - Elijah Wood puts on the “golly gee, can it be?” look and Gandalf lets out a hearty laugh. Then comes Gimli - ho ho ho! I’m a jolly dwarf! Ho ho ho! The sappy parade continues until the three other hobbits are jumping on the bed and Aragorn and Legolas are standing at the foot of the bed with million watt grins on their faces.

This very short scene didn’t ruin the movie, but it was a disappointment given how good the rest was. If there had been previous moments of corniness (both Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers have a few), I wouldn’t have been surprised or as annoyed by it.

Still an easily recommendable film worth paying even the exorbitant prices theaters charge these days.