More Middle Earth -- what's not to like?
I have owned The Hobbitt and the trilogy books since the ‘80s It’s taken me until now to sit down and take the time to read the appendices included in one of the trilogy volumes, Return of the King, probably. A lot of what I thought was “not faithful” is actually included in the appendices.
I found out that Gimli was allowed, by special dispensation due to his great friendship with Legolas, to sail to the West with Legolas when he finally left Middle Earth. Thorin, Kili, and Fili all die in battle sometime not so long after reclaiming Erebor.
I love the books and have thoroughly enjoyed the movies. Tolkien is an amazing author.
While I respect Tolkien for creating the Fantasy Genre, his books are some of the most boring ever written... I know I’ll get flamed for it, but its my opinion and nothing is going to convince me otherwise.
The taking of “The Hobbit” probably the least painful reading of all his works and turning it into 3 2+-3 hour long movies makes for movies that are just as dry and boring as most of his writings.
So, go ahead and flame away, but that’s the way I see it. You read Tolkien if you enjoy fantasy like a history lesson, its academic, not remotely entertaining.