The Hobbit Film Discussion.

Stupid Australia. Doesn't open here until Boxing Day

 

Well, it's quite long, easy to become immersed in, sometimes drags a little (for me, anyway) and I have mixed feelings on the 3D (some of it worked very well and some just made me feel a little dizzy).

I'm no purist, but I enjoyed it.

 

I found the 3D off-putting for most of it though its effect was awesome and enjoyable when it was employed in scenes 3D was made for.

It was long (close to 2 1/2 hours) but didn't feel that long at all, which tells me I wasn't bored, at least.

But there was something slightly disappointing about it. Something I haven't yet been able to put my finger on. I'll have to process it all a bit more.

I'll be interested to hear how others find it.

 

Got tickets for the Saturday matinee, and the theater is on the 48fps list... and they serve alcohol.

Where's that damned "thumbs up" emoticon?

 

I am going to see it this afternoon in 2D at 24fps. Key to my enjoyment will be the very large recliner and table service that comes with Gold Class. Nothing like having a pint whilst watching a film.

(they come in pints?!)

 

Been waiting for this movie for a long time. I kinda had a feeling it would be bloated. three movies from one book. and Jackson did show in King Kong that he can drag a scene to the point of the audience saying "Enough already, get on with the movie". and I never been a fan of the 48fps technique, everything looks so staged and unreal it spoils the illusion a good movie is suppose to produce. So I walked in with two strikes against it.

But WOW!! the Hobbit, Is just an awesome movie. beautifully crafted and wonderfully told. Not bloated at all. I opted for the usual 24 instead of the 48 (Which AMC calls High Frame on the ticket) in 3D. The 3D complemented it very well. And just like LOTR Jackson was not only very true to the book, but also to his original vision of middle earth. the characters, the language, everything. just like LOTR. Now he did add his own parts to tie it in with the Lord of the Rings. But did it in a way that it didn't interfere with the movie at all in fact it actually added to the flavor. Now the goblin battle may seem bloated to some. but being an old hand at AD&D. I can tell you that's exactly how goblins battles happen in the game.

Hobbit moves much faster then Fellowship did. but didn't have a rushed feel to it. Now I've read the books, played the RPG game, even own a copy of the 70's cartoon of The Hobbit. so I'm no stranger to the story line. But still Jackson had me wondering what was going to happen next. And although it's a prequel of LOTR. it's completely separate. So even if you didn't like Rings, you'll would still probably enjoy this film. And finally, The music was great, from the background tunes to the "Misty Mountains" song (Which was a big hit with hardcore fans) was written by Howard Shore, the same guy who wrote the score for almost all of the LOTR movies. And just like Rings it all complemented the film perfectly (I'm actually listening to the soundtrack off of YouTube while I'm writing this) I haven't played AD&D in years, but after seeing this movie, I'm very tempted to dust off my character sheets and bring my dice bag out of retirement.

Let me close by saying that this movie is an worthy addition to the Jackson middle-earth legacy. well done Peter, well done indeed.

 

If I'd had the choice, which I didn't, I wouldn't have chosen 3D. One of the things I enjoyed about LOTR was the shots of the incredible landscapes. With the 3D, the landscape and background are often compromised (completely out of focus) when the camera chooses to focus on individuals in front.

Then again, there are some scenes I would not have enjoyed nearly as much, had they not been in 3D.
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That's a good way to explain the effect.
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Read this after I posted my lame review. I had no idea that there was something else called 48 FPS disrupting my viewer experience. I thought it was all the fault of the 3D.

I think these guys have nailed it. I'm glad to see my assessment that something is....amisss preciouss... is fully supported by the mostly ignored professional reviewer community.

I'm hoping Peter Jackson will pay attention and film the next two installments differently.

 

Maybe I am not as perceptive as some others. I just came from seeing the 48 fps 3d movie, and I don't share any of the complaints some others have expressed.

I thought it was beautifully presented, in both a visual and storytelling sense. I did not see sets and staging, I saw Middle Earth. I never felt that the story lagged. Nearly 3 hours? I thought it flew by. I am ready for the next installment NOW!

OK... one thing... I am acrophobic. A couple of scenes...

 

Yeah, the whole Radagast scene was kinda creepy. But I loved how Jackson worked him into the story.