Quote Originally Posted by Shorty View Post
I see your concerns about the magic army and I understand them. I always loved the men under the mountain, but I clearly remember having discussions with folks after the movie ended that went like, "So, at any point, this army of the dead could have just come and wiped out the enemy, right?" It made the whole battle seem kindof... pointless, I guess? I completely agree that it was underwhelming, but I do have a sort spot for it.

As for your other points, it's been far too long since I've read the book, so I will have to defer to your judgement. Perhaps I should read them all again!
Reading them again can't hurt. Also, did you catch my Edit about Denethor?

I agree I like the Army of the Dead in general. And I also like the way they're handled in the movie, up to a point. The Paths of the Dead, the confrontation with the Dead King. Those are fantastic.

Once they overstay their welcome, though, it started to irk me. For one thing, it raises the question of why did they stop. In the books, they're used in one battle, and that's it. Their oaths are fulfilled and they can rest. In the movies, they're used in two distinct battles. So why not simply ask them to take out the rest of the forces of Mordor as well? Would three battles really be pushing things so much farther?

And it does cut a lot of the meaning and sacrifice from the latter half of the battle (and, I'm sorry, the Battle of Pelenor Fields should have had a much greater emotional impact than the Battle of Helm's Deep).

It's not that I don't like the Army of the Dead (and I loved actually getting to see them in action, especially against the Corsairs, a scene which happens "off screen" in the books), I just hate the impact it had on the movie as a whole.