First of all, it's impossible to pick one over the other, because it's all one story. There are many flaws in the story; But most can be forgiven, so they all are very good films and such is my vote.
One major concern of mine is the casting of Frodo and Bilbo. Frodo seems far too young and Bilbo far too old. At the time Bilbo found the ring, he was Frodo's age. And as is told, possesion of the One Ring brings long life and Bilbo, by all records, "hadn't seemed to age a day." Yet in the movie, he is cast as an old fellow while Frodo (who should by now look much the same as Bilbo) looks younger than his character is.
The flight to Bree in FotR also seemed very hurried to me. as soon as they cross the Baranduin, they arive at Bree, when it is a few days journey at the least. Also left out is the Old Forest, Tom Bombadil, and the Barrow Downs all of which the hobbits had to cross or encounter before reaching Bree.
I can't say I agreed with how Aragorn was portrayed, either. Here is an heir of Kings coming into his inheritance, yet he acts ashamed of the title. Ashamed to be the Lord of both Gondor and Arnor. Bullsht.
In The Two Towers, as they are besieged in the Hornburg of Helm's Deep, who else would cme but Elves. Haldir himself, in fact, from Lorien. As if the whole idea wasn't absurd enough, He says that he brings word from Elrond. Why is Haldir, one of the Noldar, acting as a messenger for Kin of Elwe? How did the Elves know to look for battle at Helm's Deep? Why would Haldir forsake the battle on his own land's border when the fellowship had stirred Moria to awaken, and the orcs of Khazad-dum were abroad?
Before arriving at Helm's Deep, Aragorn and the Eorlingas are waylaid by wargs and orcs, and Aragorn falls into a river. A magcal river, it would seem, for it must have sprung out of nowhere: The only river between Edoras and the Hornburg is one that issues FROM the Hornburg and flows west as a tributary to the River Isen. Unless it was the Entwash which flows miles to the north of the appointed road and flows away from Helm's Deep into Anduin. The river Elessar fell into simply does not exist.
Aragorn and Eowyn were portrayed as having a romantic connection. Yet Aragorn has a hot Elf girlfriend who is said to have beauty the world has not seen since Luthien walked the land. So what's the point of leading the audience on? Besides, Aragorn Elessar is the rightful heir to the throne of Arnor and Gondor, so what would he want to bang a petty horse-girl for?
What the **** was the point of bringing Frodo and Sam to Osgiliath? Oh, that's right. Because they absolutely ruined the honor and character of Faramir by even suggesting that he would take the ring to Gondor.
Why was the Army of the Dead at Minas Tirith? Thier purpose was to win the Black Fleet of the Umbar so that instead of boats full of enemies, reinforcements from Southern Gondor would come, led by Aragorn and the last remnant of the Dunedain, who came out of the North with the sons of Elrond, Elledan and Elrohir, to help in the War. The dead were released after the ships were won and did not come to the Pellenor Fields.
After the battle, Aragorn and the rest have the Last Debate in the high chamber in the Citadel of Minas Tirith, with Aragorn sitting on the throne. To me that seems a tad bit arrogant considering that he was previously ASHAMED OF HIS ****ING LINEAGE.
Elijah Wood can't act. Seriously.
I could go on, but I digress. The fact remains that the movies are terrific an any sense of the word. Indeed, if the story had been corrected, it would have made a much poorer movie experience.
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