[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

He makes an excellent point about the ents, though, don't you think? I was disappointed in that also. In the books, the ents needed no goading whatsoever, but were hellbent to destroy Isengard after their entmoot. This was completely distorted in the movie... (Ents of the movie acted like an indecisive United Nations). He has some good points about Saruman as well, IMO.... But definitely not dealbreakers! Movie is still a 9.95 out of 10 for me!

[Overtaxed]

Ents of the movie acted like an indecisive United Nations

I'd like to have seen the Ents "blow up" at the Entmoot.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think much of the cutting happened in the dialogue with the ents. I can see lots of places in this film where there is dialogue that happened but was cut. I look forward to the extended, for the added character time we got in the extended FoTR.

I think it is interesting to give the Ents a "not our war" attitude. I think it plays to the feelings many have about wanting to avoid war until it hits your back yard. "Its not our war" was proven to be not true in the case of the ents. Through Merry and Pippin, and the wasted forest around Isengaurd, they all realized that this was in fact "our war"... and that they were indeed facing a threat that affects everyone. And that message is a good one that may cause some to think.

I liked that about the movie. None of our heros wanted this war. It was not a war to take anything, but defend everything. It was upon them, whether they wanted it or not. I don't think it diminishes the valor or honor of the ents to have us see a decision made to do something. I think the messages rang true, even if the route to get their was different.