3/4
The Lord of the Rings are not great movies. They're very cheesy to watch today, and life is generally idealized, and the story is told with the expectation that the viewer is already familiar with the content, and there are so many cliches.
But... they are extremely enjoyable to experience, especially if one dives in with total commitment. The world of Middle-Earth is complex beyond grasp by these movies alone, but it is exhilarating putting what pieces are given together. To finally have a grasp on what Elvish word refers to what gives rise to an awesome pride and fulfillment. Soaking into the Tolkien universe is a highly fulfilling experience.
And for all its juvenility, there also exists some real, quality content. Tolkien was an able philosopher and writer, so looking beyond the simple "hero's journey with loyal sidekick and comic-relief characters fighting against evil forces and saving the world" model we can actually find some profound themes, character actions, spoken lines and philosophical ideas. The trilogy is a conglomeration of young-adult fiction and high-fantasy, both with juvenile and adult content.
No comments:
Post a Comment