Let's also look at the
Denethor thread with regard to the changes we see in
Gandalf in ROTK. In this film, he goes from a creature of ultimate magnanimity and compassion (remember his conversation with
Frodo in
Moria) to a man who strikes Denethor with his staff and then rides his
horse over the man. Further, he makes no attempt to save the man when he does set fire to himself. Remember, in the book (
God help us!), Gandalf attempt to talk Denethor out of his suicidal despair, telling him that his people need him and that if he actually does seek death, there is a battle taking place in his front yard! In the film, Gandalf just stands their making ponderous pronouncements about the passing of Denethor....
Also, Gandalf becomes very pessimistic. He states unequivocally that
Sauron will not believe the feint that the Lords of the West make to the
Black Gate in order to keep Sauron's (all too cheesy) Eye from Mount Doom. So while
Aragorn gets infinitely better as a character - mature, optimistic, taking charge when the opportunity arises - Gandalf begins to wane. He becomes pessimistic, melancholy and definitely far less compassionate. He "leads", but not with the strength of a Being who "cannot be hurt" by
weapons of war (as he tells Aragorn,
Legolas and
Gimli in
Fangorn). He uses his staff to drive off the
Nazgul in
Faramir's first retreat, but when the forces of
Mordor are about to gain entry into the
City, he is reduced to wielding a
sword. What happened?! How come he goes from virtually invincable to a mini-Aragorn? This is never explained and, frankly, the character never recovers at least as far as I could see. I was happy to see Jackson "fix" Aragorn, but frankly, not at the expense of Gandalf.