I haven't read this series, so I may need to take a look. It's been a while since I read much sci-fi. I should get back into the genre. Action-packed space operas are fine and all, but the exploration of ideas in a slower tale has its place too.
Some of the most impactful parts of The Lord of the Rings (I know, fantasy, not sci-fi) were the dialogue on the way where the characters discussed death, destiny, and the meaning of their struggles. When the films used those lines, sometimes from different characters and in different locations, it still felt more meaningful than the massive battle scenes. Consider Gandalf and Frodo discussing Gollum and pity in Moria in the film.
Absolutely. I love LOTR (which is likely no surprise), so I agree completely - some of the best parts of the series are slow areas that some folks would bounce off of.
I think that was one of the big failings of the Hobbit trilogy. Aside from all the additions for more action, it skipped over or rushed through all the quiet parts of the story where actual character development occurred.
Y'know, I never actually finished those movies. They just didn't grab me, and it might be for that exact reason. We gained action but lost substance, and I enjoy the source material too much to lose much of its heart for empty eye-candy.
There's a fan edit (several, actually...) which carves out as much of the added bloat as possible, and it's definitely better. I still wouldn't say it's good. More like tolerable, barely.
I'll check that out!