You might be right in your general estimatation of the JRRT aficionados, but this film was meant to appeal to a wider audience. It's not just the miniature's paintin', tabletop gamin' geeks
that it means to appeal to, but to a generation weaned and raised on Pokemon and Power Rangers...
I previewed the movie with friends because of it's PG-13 rating. After being enthralled by it, I figured it was okay for my 6 year-olds to see. They had seen more gore and violence in "Last of the Mohicans" and "Gettysburg" (or in the 9/11 news coverage of where their Mommy worked for that matter). The compelling story of the quest and shared dangers of the Fellowship, of loss and determination and of devotion to kith and kin overshadowed any politically correct interpretation of the "evils of sorcery" and the "undermining influence" of violence.
My kids (like myself) will probably watch it over and over and over again....
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[i]I think I can see my house from here!</i] - Comment by Klingon in the [i]Unexpected</i] episode of
Enterprise upon experiencing the Xyrillian-installed holographic chamber showing a simulation of the capital city of Qon'oS.
