I was really irritated that Gandalf didn't seem... more powerful. He really only uses magic very seldomly, it's hardly what I consider to be wizard-like. In the 3rd movie he shines his flash light and the nazghuls run away for like 10 seconds.

Also curious as to why the dwarves didn't have much if anything to do with all the battles of the land? Were they all destroyed by the orcs in the mines? Someone fill in the gaps, been too long since I read the books!
Aleal the Tactician - High Sorceress of Neriak