Chapter 387: Ultimate Universe

Watching The Fellowship of the Ring, Michael Bay finally realized that relying on a love triangle to stir emotions and boost a film's appeal was a terrible move. There were clearly so many other ways to do it, yet he had chosen the most boring one!

Michael Bay planned to watch The Fellowship of the Ring a few more times. As a typical commercial director, he could sense the movie was going to be a massive hit. Perhaps some of the techniques Duke Rosenberg used in this film could be borrowed for his own future productions.

In that moment, Michael Bay was only thinking about the movie, completely forgetting everything else.

This indirectly proved that a successful director had to be deeply focused, willing to constantly learn and push himself.

A low female vocal chant echoed steadily through the Golden Forest. The moment Queen Galadriel appeared, she captivated the audience. Seeing an actor on the big screen often gave off a completely different feeling than seeing them in everyday life. Cate Blanchett perfectly captured the benevolent, understanding, yet slightly arrogant and capricious elf queen.

"The director cast the perfect actors." Pitt had long since forgotten his original reason for coming to see the movie, his emotions completely immersed in the film. "Every person in this film feels like a real, living figure from Middle-earth."

Brad Miller stared intently at the big screen, merely giving a slight nod.

The film had already made it impossible for him to look away!

Faced with The One Ring, Queen Galadriel resisted its allure and the temptation of absolute power. She then presented The Fellowship of the Ring with a series of gifts, bolstering their readiness. The Fellowship didn't stay long in the Golden Forest, continuing their journey forward by water.

Just as the camera had focused on Gandalf before they entered the Mines of Moria, it now began to heavily feature Boromir. For those in the audience who hadn't read the original books but understood the language of cinema, it wasn't hard to guess that this warrior from Gondor was unlikely to reach the end of the journey.

Not to mention, the earlier scenes on the snowy mountain and in the Golden Forest had already laid the groundwork regarding The One Ring's temptation over him.

Compared to the original work, Legolas merely had his screen time increased. But to Brad Miller, Boromir's changes seemed a bit drastic. From his earlier dialogue and scenes, it was easy to see his singular dedication to defending Gondor. His desire for The One Ring wasn't just a product of its corrupting influence; he genuinely wanted to use its power to protect his homeland.

It felt like Boromir was walking the path of a tragic hero.

However, Brad Miller had no time to dwell on it. The very next scene—a simple environmental shot—shocked him so much he couldn't even process a thought!

It was the Gates of Argonath. The colossal Statues of Isildur and Anárion were so incredibly magnificent that Aragorn and the others seemed utterly insignificant as they sailed past in their boats.

Much like the wooden sailboats shown when the Titanic set off, this shot utilized the power of contrast. The models used for filming weren't actually that massive, but with the CG-added live-action figures providing scale, the Gates of Argonath appeared extraordinarily imposing!

As the camera slowly zoomed in on the statues, the grooves and signs of weathering were incredibly clear. The special effects had been refined to the point of absolute perfection. This was undeniably the pinnacle of modern cinematic visual effects!

As this grand, majestic shot flashed by, Brad Miller unconsciously clapped his hands. Beside him, Pitt and Hiller also clapped. Soon, more people joined in, the applause rising like a sudden clap of thunder.

At this moment, Brad Miller felt an unprecedented surge of excitement. Anyone who read a literary masterpiece would form associations and fantasies in their mind. In his dreams, he had entered Middle-earth countless times, experiencing the fantastical world Tolkien had penned and pouring out every ounce of his imagination.

Yet, today, all of those associations had become reality—and this reality was vastly more magnificent than even the absolute limits of his imagination!

This was a Middle-earth he couldn't have even begun to dream of!

His dreams had stepped into reality!

To hell with the idea that the original books couldn't be adapted into a movie! To hell with the notion that a director would ruin the epic masterpiece! To hell with the claim that an explosion-obsessed maniac couldn't film a fantasy epic!

In the midst of his surging emotions, Brad Miller finally admitted it: the film was far more brilliant than he could have ever imagined!

To hell with the protests!

He just wanted to enjoy this movie, to enjoy this magnificent epic that was a hundred times better than the limits of his imagination!

"I won't protest anymore! I'll never protest again!"

Beside him, Pitt seemed to be muttering to himself, yet also speaking to Miller. "You could beat me to death and I still wouldn't protest a movie like this!"

Brad Miller nodded in agreement. "From now on, I'm not just a book fan, I'm a fan of The Lord of the Rings movies too!"

Before the final climax had even arrived, the film had already conquered the two protesters. In Norman Hiller's eyes, this was the most normal thing in the world. Ever since he had fallen in love with Duke's movies, he had seen countless people in theaters captivated by his work.

This was exactly where Duke's charm lay, wasn't it?

Hiller turned and glanced at the two men beside him, then refocused his attention, staring intently at the big screen. The film had finally reached its ultimate climax!

The Fellowship of the Ring retreated into the woods along the shore, and their greatest internal crisis erupted. Taking advantage of Frodo being alone, Boromir tried to snatch The One Ring, but Frodo managed to escape. The Ring-bearer then ran into Aragorn, who had come looking for him. Faced with the temptation of The One Ring, Aragorn did not repeat the mistake of his ancestors. He chose to let Frodo, who had made up his mind to travel alone, leave.

The Uruk-hai pursuers from Isengard caught up with the Fellowship, and the final battle commenced.

Like all the previous fights, this one followed a typical medieval European style. However, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas had starkly different combat styles. The latter, in particular, was the focal point of the camera, receiving quite a few close-ups.

Legolas was elegant and agile. Every time he drew his bow and fired an arrow, it drew gasps of amazement from the female audience members.

"He really is handsome!" Ivanka suddenly whispered, leaning close to Duke's ear.

Duke shrugged. "I remember when we were in New Zealand, Orlando seemed to have invited you to dinner."

"But I turned him down!" Ivanka said decisively. "I don't like pretty boys."

To cover Frodo's escape, Merry and Pippin were surrounded by Uruk-hai. In that moment of crisis, Boromir charged out from the flank, saving the two hobbits. However, he quickly found himself locked in a bitter fight against overwhelming odds, leaving him no choice but to blow his Silver Horn for aid.

Aragorn and the other two had not yet fought their way over, but someone else had already arrived!

"That's the Uruk-hai that was blowing kisses to Aragorn!"

Norman Hiller recognized him immediately. Only, the Uruk-hai on the screen was nothing like the funny, goofy character from the promotional posters and videos. Instead, he looked completely hideous and murderous, carrying a massive bow in his hands!

It was a bow meant for claiming lives!

As the film reached this point, the audience knew all too well that Boromir's life was nearing its end. Their feelings toward this character were incredibly complex. It was hard to say for certain in that moment whether he was bringing this death upon himself or if it was truly a heroic sacrifice.

The Uruk-hai drew his bow, and the arrow shot out like a meteor, striking Boromir squarely in the chest.

Yet, even with an arrow in his vitals, Boromir continued to fight desperately to protect the two hobbits behind him.

A second arrow left the bowstring, striking Boromir's sturdy body once more. Still, he didn't give up. He continued swinging his sword, slaughtering Uruk-hai. Though his strength was draining and his life slipping away, he was still fulfilling the oath he had made at the Council of Elrond, using the sword of Gondor to protect every single member of The Fellowship of the Ring!

At the same time, he was using his sword to defend his own honor!

In slow motion, yet another arrow struck Boromir. Tears welling in their eyes, Merry and Pippin tried to rush forward to protect him, but they were swept up and dragged away by the Uruk-hai. Three long arrows in vital spots—even a Dúnadan couldn't withstand that. Boromir fell to his knees. He had lost all his strength and could only wait for the Uruk-hai leader to execute him.

"He's a hero!"

Hiller couldn't help but say, "He's not a coward, and he's not a traitor. He's a hero!"

"Yes! Exactly!"

Despite being deeply influenced by Tolkien's perspective in the original books, the film's emotional resonance struck straight to the heart. Brad Miller agreed with Hiller. "Boromir is a hero!"

The horn welcoming the return of the king had not sounded, the fluttering banners had not been planted in the White City, the withered Sacred White Tree had yet to bloom, and the Silver Horn was already cloven in two. The second member of The Fellowship of the Ring had reached the end of his life.

But a hero shouldn't die such an undignified death. Though he had gained the audience's acknowledgment, he had not yet received the film's!

Aragorn arrived at the critical moment and, relying on his exquisite swordsmanship, cut down the Uruk-hai leader.

The most emotionally stirring scene of the first film had arrived. Boromir's passing awakened the king's resolve to return!

"I do not know how much strength I possess, but I swear to you, I will never let the White City fall, nor will I let our people perish!"

This was the oath of a king!

Everyone's transformation requires a process, and Aragorn's journey from a ranger fleeing his destiny to someone resolved to return to Gondor especially needed this transition. Arwen's urging and Queen Galadriel's insight were nowhere near as impactful and convincing as Boromir's death.

The death of one hero awakened the resolve and fighting spirit for the return of another. Aragorn would no longer flee from his destiny.

"I would have followed you, my brother, my captain, my king..."

Boromir's dying words were undoubtedly a powerful emotional weapon, and the film also used Aragorn's voice to affirm him: "Be at peace, son of Gondor."

Two streams of tears slowly rolled down Brad Miller's face. Perhaps only a hardcore The Lord of the Rings fan could understand his feelings at this moment. Even though Boromir was the most heavily altered character in the entire movie, he didn't have the slightest desire to protest. Instead, he felt that this made the entire story of The Lord of the Rings even more compelling!

He wholeheartedly approved of the changes made to Boromir. This was absolutely the crowning touch of the first film!

The film reached its end. The Fellowship of the Ring had suffered a massive setback: Gandalf and Boromir had both fallen in battle, Sam and Frodo had set off alone, and Merry and Pippin had been taken captive by the Uruk-hai toward Isengard.

The Fellowship of the Ring had reached its conclusion, but the journey through Middle-earth was just beginning. Aragorn strapped on Boromir's Gondor Vambraces and, alongside Gimli and Legolas, set off on the path to hunt the Uruk-hai and rescue Merry and Pippin.