[KantianBurke]

Three words to you regarding how Gimli's humor which was being used to take away intensity came off as: Jar Jar Binks.

Regardless, that was just one of many dumbed down scenes in the flick. Not saying it wasn't a good film overall but its not exactly as flawless as FOTR.

[Wordsmith]

I didn't mind Gimli's comic relief, as he adds a lightheartedness to this section of the novel as well. The orc-beheading contest, his fussing over the fact that the Rohirrim call The Glittering Caverns "caves", his trouble with horses, his comment to Legolas about the Huorns, "I wish to see on eyes!" Admittedly the comedy is more subtle in the book, but everything about the movie is more exagerrated in general.