Astronomer

You can't talk about the movies without talking about the books that they came from. The movies are just on-screen adaptations of the ideas and storylines that were created in the books... if you're ONLY comparing the movies then that is a whole different ball game.

__________________

Dr.Seussicide

Maybe I should include it in the OP. Because I am only talking of the movies.

What would your opinion be on the movies however?

__________________

Dr.Seussicide

Haha, nothing's a secret here on MB

__________________

NumberNineDream

I hate the HP movies ... then it's definitely LotR.

__________________

Astronomer

Yeah generally people will assume you're talking about the books.

As far as the movies go, LOTR still wins hands-down. They are an epic trilogy of films and I think the book was adapted so well onto the screen (see what I mean? You can't not talk about the book...). They were filmed in the beautiful New Zealand, marvelous actors, great movie score... they moved me almost as much as the book did. Plus they were directed by Peter Jackson who is one of the most awesome film directors ever.

The Harry Potter movies, although I quite like them, are more of dumbed-down teenage films which are a teensy bit lame IMO.

__________________

Dr.Seussicide

The problem I have with the LOTR movies is basically the replay factor. I can only watch them once or twice whereas I can probably see Harry Potter going on on television and quickly become re-engrossed.

__________________

CAPTAIN CAVEMAN

i enjoyed both as a child; but pretty much what lateralus said. tolkein created an inspirationally vast and in-depth universe, which you have to go past the movies to see. i still respect tolkein's work and find it inspiring, whereas i just see the harry potter series as a child's diversion. it isn't really a good comparison.

boo boo

I enjoyed the Potter films that I've seen, they're great escapist kids movies, but the LOTR trilogy is a cinematic masterpiece.

I don't think it's an insult to compare Rowling to Tolkien, she's clearly influenced by him and has an ever growing audience not unlike the one Tolkien has. But Potter is more or less a celebration of all the fantasy cliches, it simply puts it all into a giant blender. LOTR does the same thing to an extent but it had a lot more going for it, better character development, more action, a better balance of drama and humor, etc.

I haven't actually read the LOTR books but I adore the movies and apparrently while they leave out some events and characters they're still pretty loyal. Tolkien has created an extended universe unlike anything I've ever seen besides Star Wars and Star Trek. He was obsessed with detail, providing backstories for all the races and giving them all their own unique cultural traits, taking tons of influences from old folklore but blending it into something new.

I'm not saying Rowling hasn't done the same herself, it's just that Tolkien did it better. Still, she deserves props, the Harry Potter series has gotten tons of kids into books, has helped revived the fantasy genre and a lot of kids probably got into stuff like Tolkien through her.

__________________
It's only knock n' knowall, but I like it

http://www.last.fm/user/kingboobs

storymilo

Lord of the Rings is an easy win in the movie department. The Harry Potter films are actually kind of laughably bad...

As far as books go, Tolkein is definitely cooler. But.... a part of me will always love Harry Potter for some reason..... I really can't decide.

adidasss

@boobs: There's actually a pretty significant change in the films in that Arwen is given a much bigger role. There was no love affair between her and Aragorn in the books. I personally find that whole relationship the biggest flaw of the films. Completely unnecessary pandering to the audiences. We really didn't need to see everyone paired off...:/


OT: As far as films are concerned, LOTR wins hands down. The books, well there's more of Harry Potter so I'd vote for that one. There's also much more humor and suspense. But I love them both, they're the books that got me interested in books so...

__________________
“Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle.

Last.fm