Gollum /Smeagol

[Glebriwyn]

Does anyone else think Gollum / Smeagol was brilliant. There were points in the film that I could not believe he was CGI. The facial expressions were just so realistic. He was exactly as I had envisioned the character to be.

Did I also detect Andy Serkis's face in there somewhere?

[flame]

yea he was done very well so was treebeard. i like gollum now.

[Legolam]

I think Gollum was the standout character of TTT. His CGI was amazing (not so keen on Treebeard though) and Andy Serkis has the voice down to a T! His transformation really worked too, I liked the idea that being caught by Faramir and betrayed by Frodo turned Smeagol back to Gollum (I never thought of it like that before). Also, the end, where he's talking about "she", was brilliant! Without actually having Shelob in the film, that was the best way to leave it on a cliffhanger.

[BelDain]

Gollum was unbelievable. The lighting on the character. The skin and sweat and spit and the eyes. The eyes were incredible. The way in cast shadows and interacted with the environment. And expecially the way it interacted with the live characters. There's a point at the Morannon where Gollum is clutching at Frodo's sleeve and the fabric totally moves naturally to the CG character grasping at it. I'm sure they must have doctored that but it looks so real. Amazing!

[Niniel]

He was brilliant of course! very realistic! The only problem was that he was too cute. People were laughing and saying how cute he was, which can't have been the idea of the filmmakers. It makes it unbelievable that he will ever betray Frodo and Sam, while in the book I never trusted him. I would really like to have the film-Gollum as a pet. ;)

[Evenstar7]

I too thought that Gollum/Smeagol, while brilliant, was made a tad too endearing to the audience. Granted I am assuming they probably wanted the audience to feel some sympathy for him, to better see things from Frodo's perspective, but they went a little overboard in their efforts.

Even after reading the books from the Hobbit on, and knowing how treacherous Gollum is and will be, I caught myself feeling bad/sorry for him, and not liking Sam's mistreatment, nor Faramir's treatment of him. I had to catch myself and remember - HEY! This is GOLLUM! Duh! :rolleyes: :p

I did enjoy the way they made it into a schitzo-type of conflict with Gollum & Smeagol. I too had wondered how they were going to portray Gollum's inner battle with remembering who he once was, and gaining a bit of his humanity back.

My only other critique about Gollum is I think he should have been slightly more greener in appearance. If anything he looked jaundiced :p instead of a "slimy" creature as described in the books. Oh, and didn't he have yellow eyes? :confused: What was up with the "baby blues" - LOL!

All in all - Andy Serkis did a truly excellent job. The furtive, sneaky movements, his mistrustful expressions, everything! And, I absoluted loved Gollum's voice as well. :)

[Ascamaciliel]

I have heard nothin but good things about Gollum. This makes me so excited because he has always been one of my favorite characters. I can't wait to see it! (have to wait till 26th:( )

[BelDain]

Originally posted by Niniel
He was brilliant of course! very realistic! The only problem was that he was too cute. People were laughing and saying how cute he was, which can't have been the idea of the filmmakers. It makes it unbelievable that he will ever betray Frodo and Sam, while in the book I never trusted him. I would really like to have the film-Gollum as a pet. ;)

I'm not sure about cute. He did have some silly faces sometimes but he also had some scary, disturbing expressions too. That's what was so cool. they didn't make Gollum some one dimensional character by the way he looked. He had the full range of emotions and expression both facially and in a broader physical sense.

[BelDain]

Originally posted by Evenstar7
I too thought that Gollum/Smeagol, while brilliant, was made a tad too endearing to the audience. Granted I am assuming they probably wanted the audience to feel some sympathy for him, to better see things from Frodo's perspective, but they went a little overboard in their efforts.

Think about it though, we are supposed to see what Frodo and Sam see. We "don't know yet" what the extent of Gollum's actions or betrayal will be at this point.

[Wynston]

I thought Gollum was outstanding. Maybe the best part of the picture. Not just the CGI animation, which was spectacular. But when I watched those scenes, I was very torn over him. On the one hand I wanted to laugh at him, with him, hug him, really like him, feel sorry for him, heck I wanted to get him some therapy! On the other hand I loathed him, was disgusted by him, saw him as twisted and evil, and really wished Frodo or Sam had killed him. I found myself running through all these emotions when watching Gollum and the Frodo/Sam interaction with him, and I think that's a testament to the filmmakers. Great work there.

Actually one of the sadest parts for me is when Frodo lures him (unwitingly I think) to be captured by Faramir's men. You feel so sorry for the pathetic little guy.

[FREEDOM!]

He was AWESOME! i felt sorry for smeagol, especially when Frodo betrayed him, Evil Frodo! How dare he!

[Evenstar7]

Originally posted by FREEDOM!
He was AWESOME! i felt sorry for smeagol, especially when Frodo betrayed him, Evil Frodo! How dare he!

It wasn't so much as a betrayal, but just that is what Smeagol viewed it as. Frodo could not explain himself, and they didn't explain it enough in the movie. But Frodo did not have a choice, it was either lure Smeagol to him so Faramir's men could capture him & keep him under guard until they decided what to do, or they would kill him on the spot.

They also didn't explain the extent of the sanctity of that pool, that Smeagol had breached. Basically, Frodo saved his life, but there is no way for Smeagol to be able to comprehend that, even if Frodo tried to explain it.