Voronwë the Faithful wrote:PtB, if you haven't done so, you should read that Christianity Today review; I think you would appreciate it.
Speaking from a position of ignorance (having not seen it yet), I would think that the EE would help fix the sense of incompleteness.
It's a good review, and sums up some of my feelings (though I disagree strongly with the assertion that when myth goes from the page to the screen, it becomes "fact," and that this automatically diminishes it - there are excellent filmmakers out there, IMO, who are able to maintain the flavor and essence of myth, without degrading it to the degree that PJ has). After all, by her argument, one could conclude that the "written" myth is also a degraded and more "factualized" form of the "oral" myths of our ancestors. And while one could make a case for that, I don't think it's a strong one. I also disagree with her objections to the many plots left unresolved, as I didn't have a problem with that. But generally, she makes some important points.
Look, BOFA is certainly not a brainless film. But that's due to primarily to Tolkien, IMO, and has only a small amount to do with PJ's interpretation. Except for the end, and a few moments here and there, PJ turned fine wine into grape Koolaid.
But again, ignore me until later tonight.