The "travel clothes" were his ranger's outfit. Gods know how old it was before the Fellowship.

I think it's still a practice in many European cultures to have one or two outfits for work and one good set for church, funerals, the opera, weddings, etc., and simply bathe and change underthings daily. I know people whose parents inherited a "good suit" from their parents, and wore it.

Costuming leads down interesting cultural backtrails.

I think it's still a practice in many European cultures

I'm guessing that's outside of the big cities, because I've not seen that there.

Yeah, most probably rural and smaller villages. Plus, my knowledge is from when they left, 20 years ago.

It occurs to me that if all dwarves fought like Gimli (who was neck and neck in kills with Legolas) or all humans like Aragorn, then the orcs might have all turned tail and run.

If anything, Aragorn would have more, If he played, but the heroes always kill tons, it's a thing. It's the how's and wherefores that skew the whole thing for me.

I think Aragorn would, if he played, but he would never play so it all twists up on itself.

I mean, it's not like they're killing more than they would otherwise, I think.

I guess they handed the flashy powers to the Elves (I can't wait to get my hands on that Warfare book), so he got the big cheer points. Aragorn got the emotional ones¹ (like Weathertop), and Gimli was the journeyman.

¹ Well, if you leave out every time the hobbits get involved.

We FINALLY saw RotK today. Dear God, I loved it. But I've gotta say one thing:

Hobbits jumping up and down on Frodo's bed? And then Gimli walks in and eyes them with a big, knowing smile? And then Legolas comes in? Slashiest. Scene. Ever.

But see, this is the thing: I mark out way more for Aragorn's fights than Legolas's because there's so much straight up swordsmanship and Viggo sells it so well. He brings a total Big Damn Hero vibe to the thing, whereas the big CGI Legolas stunts don't really have much impact beyond eye rolling. To me, anyway.

Aragorn fights in general rule because he conveys that all other considerations, victory, honor, the fate of the world, the fate of the elvish nookie, all that aside, when it's time to draw swords, he's a guy who really likes a good fight.

Viggo does all these little things that sell the fights so well. The little salute before Amon Hen, the WTF take after killing Lurtz, the little swagger he puts on whenever it's about to drop in the pot, all that. Good psychology.

Gimli's fights rule because JRD likes to flatten stuntmen, apparently, but still.

Legolas's FoTR fights ruled because he was the slick one, and it was all pretty and nice. Except for the cave troll, which had that big tell shot when he jumped off. After that, not so much coolness, more fakery.

The only thing that didn't work for me Legolas-wise is riding the shield. I thought the horse was excellent, as was the thing we keep white-fonting.

On the whole, Legolas isn't human, and doesn't move like a human (Or get dirty, or be bothered by snow, et al.) and PJ did a good job of portraying that.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I think Aragorn is supposed to be the Big Damn Hero, and the only one. I mean, I think Legolas is supposed to do the big things effortlessly, with a slight smile.

I'm guessing seamless CGI wouldn't help you, would it? It's a principle thing?

I'm very comfortable with the principle, just a little disappointed with the CGI of various bits, and with the fact that you can kinda tell PJ's reaching for a cheer. And disappointed that we don't get to see more of both sides. But I wouldn't take out the flashy parts -- just add more.

I'm with Victor--Elves are lighter and stronger and more supple than humans. I liked seeing that demonstrated in the films (except the surfing, which was too modern for me).