I actually think Jackson paid great fealty to Tolkien’s vision. Sure, he took some cinematic license, but in the main, he screened characters that embodied the virtues (and failings) of the Tolkien cast pretty well ... with the notable exception of Aragorn.
For example, Brad Dourif’s Grima was every bit the despicable opportunist Tolkien painted. And Sam — though occasionally heavy-handed — came through as an archetypal hero who doesn’t even comprehend his own heroism.
But probably the truest characterization was Ian McKellen’s stellar portrayal of Gandalf. An epic performance in an epic role he was born to. Too bad he’s a poof ...
I had never read any of these books until the movies came out. However, I have ended up really disliking Gandalf. My husband was shocked the first time I told him that I hated Gandalf.
He is bored, so he gets some innocent people and puts them in grave danger all for his own entertainment. Yeah, yeah, he is helping them "grow" and become more than they ever thought they could be. And then, when things are the most dire, he disappears. Bah!