I still say it was "...dwarf in Moria who still draws breath!"
Seen it twice so far. Probably will once or twice more before it's through. And I can count on one hand the movies I've seen in the theater twice - and three times? Never.
We did see the Ring bouncing at the beginning, when it escaped Gollum. But then, it wanted to, didn't it?
A spot I thought was a nice touch was the Ring-rhyme being read in the background, while the council at Rivendell was in an uproar. "
Ash nazg grimbatul" and all that. Frodo packing food while talking to Gandalf was kind of nice; you don't usually SEE movie characters packing for a journey.
Regarding the plot differences - I can handle Arwen as portrayed, as long as she doesn't try to fill Eowyn's shoes. After all, when did we see Glorfindel again? I can accept Aragorn's uncertainty as a movie plot device (though they should have mentioned Narsil's reforging). Wish they'd developed the characters a little better, since they all really came to Rivendell on their own errands. A better shot of Gloin (Gimli's father and one of the original companions of Bilbo) would have been a nice low-cost bonus. The Lothlorien gifting scene would have been very good, but the time requirements would have made the rest of it seem even more rushed. Tom Bombadil and the wights didn't really add much to the overall plot, so that cut's ok.
I didn't like the amount of screen time that Saruman got, but a movie needs a visible bad guy, so I guess I have to excuse it. I didn't like Elrond's apparent distaste for mankind - it didn't seem like that in the books. I agree with Rogue regarding the development of the relationship between Legolas and Gimli, but I suppose PJ thought there'd be room enough in #2 to put that. That is where it really comes to fruition anyway.
Some people were disappointed that Gandalf seemed vulnerable or indecisive, but I think it was done well. He certainly looked the part. Gandalf is one of the few who really understands what's going on, and he's supposed to be a protector of Middle-Earth. Seems like he's got an excuse to be worried and has no one to lean on. Also could be used to make the contrast more dramatic later.
Can't wait to see the ENTS!! Hooom, Hom.
Stang, the other movies will likely be more apt to make you cry than this one.
Balrog:
b00ya!! 'nuff said.
"FLY, you fools!!" << one of my all-time favorite lines of literature.