system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
How strong is Gandalf?

I've only seen the movies, and he seems kind of weak. All I remember from the movies is that he made light and could use telekinesis. from what I have read on reddit he's super strong but the movies really don't show it. what is Gandalf capable of?
gpt
Galdalf and the other wizards are Istari, lesser gods (Think Angels) of the world. When Gandalf and the other wizards were sent to Middle Earth, they were commanded to take the form of old men, and forbidden from using their full power, and forbidden from using force to control the mortal races.

As such, their powers were limited by their physical forms to a large extent. Consider that the Balrog and Sauron are also Istari, though they did not have the limitations imposed upon their power. 

When facing the Balrog, though, all bets are off. It's power verses power then. You see some of what Gandalf is capable of.

And, to break the fourth wall, the movie does a poor job of showing the power of these people. Gandalf, Sauron, the Balrog, and even the more powerful Elves were full-on badasses. The fight between Gandalf and Saruman is never presented in great detail in the books. It's something added to give flavor.

Gandalf seems weak because the vast majority of his power is restrained by the gods. Sticking to his oaths, he abides by what the Gods commanded of him, unlike Saruman and the other wizards.

It's akin to saying a track athlete isn't very fast, only to find out that the athlete has had one leg tied to his back the whole time.