The Hobbit

[Santa]

Originally Posted by Sea Hag

There are two problems I had with it though. One, the dwarves seem to blend into one another once they embark on their quest. Really though, it's kind of an impossible task for Jackson to establish singular identities for these guys when you consider there's 13 of'em and it's still only the first film. Plus they're all of the same race & they don't get split up to give them a chance to establish character on their own side adventures like they did in LOTR.

I had that feeeling as well. Once they are out of Bag Ends, they are becoming one big dwarf group. But I guess there will be more working out, at the latest in the third film, when Spoiler Below

Kili and Fili will meet their fate in the Battle of the five armies.

Originally Posted by Sea Hag

The other problem I have is that Bilbo isn't as front and center as much as I think he should be. That's not to say Martin Freeman does a bad job. On the contrary I think he was perfectly cast. But I thought there should've been less Thorin and more Bilbo. Again though, it's still only the first film.

I think his character was featured quite well, especially in his scene with Gollum. The audience learned a lot about his mindset there.

Originally Posted by Sea Hag

And the small taste of the Necromancer side story, awesome. I now feel more confident in this being a successful trilogy with that subplot expanded upon alone. Can't wait to see the White Council storm Dol Guldur. That's going to be badass.

There will be a battle in part two? I read some wikis, which explained the attack on Dol Guldur, but is it within the time the dwarves and Bilbo trying to reach Erebor?

Originally Posted by Sea Hag

I don't feel this is on the level of any of the three previous films but we've got two more to go. So yeah; once again I'm primed and ready for another Middle Earth trilogy. I'm all in baby! Bring on "The Desolation Of Smaug"!

I kinda expected an overall more critical evaluation by you, but fair enough, you obviously did like the film.

Originally Posted by Sea Hag

Oh, I didn't bother with 48 FPS or even 3D, just plain old 2D and it was fine.

Good decision. As mentioned earlier, 48fps destroyed my first screening. I will go tomorrow in a 2D one. I have to get this out of my system as soon as possible.

Originally Posted by The Revelator

If you thought LOTR was CGI heavy, wait until you see this. I personally thought the CGI was amazing for the most part with a few weak spots (Azog was not done very well I thought).

Azog looked horrible, imo not very well-developed.

Originally Posted by The Revelator

The overall look is still very very Middle Earthy and it fits right in. This time around things seems more colorful and soft, giving it the more light-hearted that this story needs.

Troof. I noticed that soft look too and instantly thought of the overall more child-friendly story of The Hobbit - this explains very good the look of the film.

Originally Posted by The Revelator

As long as you aren't expecting an semi-apolcalyptic story like in LOTR, its a much smaller journey. Still, its more expansive than I thought they would be able to pull off.

I think this is the explanation, why I have problems with it in the first place. LOTR and The Hobbit are different stories, the LOTR is more fateful and crucial, The Hobbit more an adventure than an all-or-nothing story like in LOTR.
I keep that in mind for tomorrows screening and the next two films.

Originally Posted by Hannibal Rex

I was completely involved from beginning to end and, when it was over, I was already dying to watch the next film in the trilogy; for a film that lasts nearly 3 hours, I was ready for another 3 right away. Excellent film.

Despite all the probs I had/have with it, I still was ready for the next installments, plus, the 2,5 hours flew by like nothing.

[The Revelator]

Glad fans reactions are extremely positive. Critics blew it on this one.

[Santa]

Here's an early glimpse by Peter Jackson of a few scenes the extended Blu-ray version will have.

[Porn N Gore]

Finally saw this and It hought it was good. A little too kid friendly compared to the monsters that is LOTR and I REALLY hope Jackson does not got the route of Lucas and CGI everything just cause he can. A little part of me died when i saw all the CGI compared to what the LOTR had.

I just miss old fashioned effects. I mean he had tons of Goblins/orc in full make up then in the the Goblins here were all freaking Cg...it just hurts.

[Santa]

Really surprised, that the echo is so damn soft for the movie. I guess, there are not many Tolkien-fans around here...

Two things are still really bothering me:

• the score seemed pretty reserved in many scenes, too quiet, especially in the opening ones. It wasn't the overwhelming addition to the awesome imagery, it didn't support it in the way I would have loved to. I still think, that the score is superior to the film itself, but this thought is only mine I suppose.
  Anybody with the same opinion?
• the bird at the end of the film, flying towards the Lonely Mountain and clapping with a nut against the mountain walls, waking Smaug from his slumber...was this intended by the bird to kinda warn the dragon of the coming danger or was this only a nice gimmick from Jackson to show us some pieces of Smaug?

[Willowfang]

I think a reason to show the dragon. If you go watch the cartoon or reread the book, the bird isn't allied with the dragon in any way.

Saw this a week or so ago, IMAX/3D, great movie, loved it more than the LOTR trilogy.

Tho I think I'm bias in a way, I love the book of The Hobbot more than I do the other 3 books. To me, it's more of an adventure to get into, while the other three books often read like dry history.

So seeing The Hobbit like this is more exciting than seeing the 3 LOTRs movies. Like seeing equal movies, but you're gonna love the one more where you love the book(s) more.

[black coffee]

My desire to see this movie is still at 0%.

[Rusted]

I caught this yesterday and loved it. Different in tone from LOTR but still a fun romp through Middle Earth.

I do suspect that Peter Jackson is turning into George Lucas in terms of technology and effects as there is a ton of CGI in this.

[Santa]

Originally Posted by rusted31

I do suspect that Peter Jackson is turning into George Lucas in terms of technology and effects as there is a ton of CGI in this.

I hope not. At least he won't alter his first trilogy, when he will reach retirement in order to make them more perfect as they already are. He won't do the same mistake like Lucas did with his legacy.

Originally Posted by Willowfang

I think a reason to show the dragon. If you go watch the cartoon or reread the book, the bird isn't allied with the dragon in any way.

Good to hear. Thanks dude!

[HorrorMovieFan]

"The Hobbit" leads the pack with 7 nominations from the Visual Effects Society Awards. (refer to the 2012/2013 Awards Season thread)