Book Aragorn or Movie Aragorn?

[Eruanwen]

I figured we'd discussed this with Legolas and sometimes Aragorn gets a little forgotten. He's awfully different from book to movie as well. I must say that I go with the book Aragorn, though I did like Aragorn in the movies, too. But in the book, Aragorn seems far more confident and more willing to take the destiny planned for him. He actually realizes how much the fate of Middle-earth lies with his own fate and he constantly pursues what is to be. I especially like in the books his revealtion of his kingship. Two of my favorite scenes in the books reveal him and they weren't in the movies. I love the scene when Aragorn uses the palantir to reveal himself as king to Sauron. Wow. Talk about putting yourself on the line! It was then in the books that I truly thought, "He IS a king." Then, of course, the houses of healing are so important to his being king. I love Aragorn's healing hands. They are so important to his character.

[MirkwoodArcher]

Although Viggo did a great job, I didn't like the way he seemed to be torn between Arwen and Éowyn. In the book it is made very clar that heir is no temptation to choose Éowyn, only regret that she should love him when he could never love her.

[Eruanwen]

Good point. That's another good reason to like the book Aragorn. His relationship with Arwen is at the heart of who he is.

[Marieke]

I like both Aragorns. Maybe I like movie Aragorn a little bit more (don't hate me!), because book Aragorn is a bittoo... I don't know. I think I prefer the mysterious Ranger to the soldier who already knows what he will be and who is more confident. But of course, that's just my opinion.
That's an interesting point about his relationship with Arwen and Eowyn. At this point, I prefer book Aragorn.

[Lothiel]

I kind of like the both, actually. Although, I particularly liked the way Viggo brought his character to life--Aragorn became a person, not just a personality contained within the pages of a book. Viggo did an awesome job bringing Aragorn's inner struggles and such out; it made the Aragorn actually seem like a real person with thoughts, feelings, doubts, ect. In the books I will agree; Aragorn seems a bit too confident and "eh, whatever happens, happens" when it comes to his own destiny (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get my drift). Viggo did an awesome job showing that leaders like Aragorn are still normal people who have doubts and fears and earthly cares.

And after all that, I'd have to say I prefer the movie Aragorn... The two are really similar, but the movie one seems more "human" to me, and you feel like you can relate.

[Mirkgirl]

hmmmm what you all have perceived from the book Aragorn is not what I had... actually in the book he wasn't sure what to do at many parts... he just did what he thought was best because he realized he had to take the responcibility. That's why I always loved his charecter - there is doubt but there is realization that HE has to do something... that influenced my understanding of a "hero" a lot (I read LotR when I was about 8-9, I could say it had a gread influence on me)... unfortunately I have yet to find another fine example of that type of hero.

Movie Aragorn... well Viggo did a great job. I hated some things, but they were innevitable in a movie version I guess... for one I hated the way he met Frodo and supposedly won his trust :rolleyes: secondly the straightforward illustration of his hesitation and it's relation to Isuldur and the ring (the scene w/ Arwen and the shads of Narsil) but well that's the way to do it in a movie. And then we dont have the "You give the choise to an ill chooser" (yeah I know it couldn't make it in the movie, but it's one of my fave scenes and it's the best way to see who Aragorn is - has to take the responsibility, even when he's not sure in himself)... the of course we have Eowyn... I 100% agree wiht what you all have said.

As usual the book is better. But Viggo did a decent job.

[Tishamet]

I have to go with book on this one (as I will with most). I found that in the movie, the characters were too helpless. They were all like "What do we do now...I need someone to hel me...Gandaaaaaaaaalf!" But in the book, he wasn't sure what to do at many parts... he just did what he thought was best because he realized he had to take the responcibility (thanks, Mirkgirl ,sums it up perfectly in my opinion). The scene in Bree in FOTR gave me alot more what I liked about Aragorn. He was totally confident against the Nazgul, but yo could tell he was torn about something. Once Arwen came in, he sort of got Babyish to me. They shouldn't have put the stupid "What's this? A ranger caught off his guard?" line...