The Official "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" movie thread *SPOILERS*

[The Josh]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Oh yes I know. And that's my point. That's why some critics are saying its slow and padded. It just isn't the type of film that has it (beginning action) but may need it.

When I say action I don't mean epic battles etc. Think FOTR it didn't have much action in the beginning but it still had the wizard duel, Nazguls etc from the first few minutes.

Well, then those critics didn't understand the material then. That's on them for not doing some research to know what the heck they were talking about.

I get that. From what I've heard the first few mins are much like the similar time period before Frodo sets out in FOTR. Once Bilbo sets off its got plenty of moments like that.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Josh is right. This isn't Lord of the Rings. It doesn't have the urgency in the first act. It sets up an adventure that Bilbo isn't sure he wants any part of. Now, the audience wants the story to get moving as quickly as possible. But Bilbo is just the opposite, and you have to be a little patient with that. He wants the dwarves out of his house so he can go back to a simple and quiet life. It takes a little time for him to get on board, and once they leave it takes a bit longer for the journey to become eventful. Then things start to happen, but before long they arrive in Rivendell and you get more exposition. However, if anybody gets bored after they leave Rivendell, I don't know what to tell you.

Yeah, I know he's right. But I also feel that if Jackson is going to take artistic liberties with these flicks, he could add something. Not saying I'm not going to like it if he doesn't. But for the sake of the pace he might have wanted to. Hell, he could have put anything in the beginning. Maybe showing how the Dwarves lost The Lonely Mountain.

 

[The Josh]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Yeah, I know he's right. But I also feel that if Jackson is going to take artistic liberties with these flicks, he could add something. Not saying I'm not going to like it if he doesn't. But for the sake of the pace he might have wanted to. Hell, he could have put anything in the beginning. Maybe showing how the Dwarves lost The Lonely Mountain.

That's in the prologue.

 

[greygoose]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

I have a feeling this will be paced much like King Kong. Which is fine with me, I loved King Kong. But for more casual fans, and just regular movie goers it could be a problem and can result in lower scores from critics and viewers.

I skip the first hour of King Kong everytime. Boring! That film only needs to be 2 hours long.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Well, then those critics didn't understand the material then. That's on them for not doing some research to know what the heck they were talking about.

I get that. From what I've heard the first few mins are much like the similar time period before Frodo sets out in FOTR. Once Bilbo sets off its got plenty of moments like that.

While I agree for the most part, you have to remember that they aren't judging the story they are judging the pacing.

Remember, critics aren't there to say "film was good, book was better" etc. They are there to tell you how the movie is, regardless of the source material.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

That's in the prologue.

And I'm hoping it's extended in the film.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

I skip the first hour of King Kong everytime. Boring! That film only needs to be 2 hours long.

Personally, I loved King Kong. But it's one of those flicks that you can't watch often due to the pacing...

Agreed though, while the performances are good etc, the beginning and near the end of the flick are rather dragged along by the fast-paced island scenes (which are the best).


Edit: Sorry about the triple bump, I didn't see these posts before.

 

[NAZGUL-KING]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Got tickets to a regular 2D showing at noon on Sunday. First time the wife and I will be out alone since the baby was born 5 months ago. First time my parents will be watching the baby.

Best of luck, the first time can be a little hard on the nerves. But if you can't trust your parents, who can you trust right?

Luckily our "baby" is seven and is going with us. He loves LOTR and I'm thrilled that he will get to experience Middle Earth on the big screen.

 

[Irvy]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Yeah the whole drawn out journey to the island gets skipped every time by me now, JUST GIVE US DINOSAUUURS!

 

[ExMem-LarjaThwei]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

That's why I like King Kong. You don't feel like you're watching a movie, but experiencing/living the entire story.

 

[tomandshell]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Hell, he could have put anything in the beginning. Maybe showing how the Dwarves lost The Lonely Mountain.

You get a couple flashback scenes showing the loss of the mountain and then the battle outside Moria. You also get Radagast uncovering evil in the forest. You definitely don't have to wait an hour before you get some action and epic PJ/Tolkien imagery. But Bilbo himself doesn't get involved in that stuff during the first half of the movie.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

You get a couple flashback scenes showing the loss of the mountain and then the battle outside Moria. You also get Radagast uncovering evil in the forest. You definitely don't have to wait an hour before you get some action and epic PJ/Tolkien imagery. But Bilbo himself doesn't get involved in that stuff during the first half of the movie.

That's good to hear.

 

[greygoose]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Personally, I loved King Kong. But it's one of those flicks that you can't watch often due to the pacing...

It's on all the time on TV here too.

 

[The Josh]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

While I agree for the most part, you have to remember that they aren't judging the story they are judging the pacing.

Remember, critics aren't there to say "film was good, book was better" etc. They are there to tell you how the movie is, regardless of the source material.

I understand. However the pacing is what it is because that's the story. So understanding what you're talking about beforehand is key.

 

[karamazov80]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Was kong in 3D? Can't remember now.

Pretty sure that was prior to this recent surge in 3-D gimmickry. So I doubt it.

And I agree with Zach. Whether or not the book had a slow pace, the movie needs to work as movies work. If something from the source material makes for a bad viewing experience, then it should be modified or removed for the purpose of making the material appropriate to a different medium.

That isn't to say that critics are right in this case, but books and movies work differently.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Pretty sure that was prior to this recent surge in 3-D gimmickry. So I doubt it.

And I agree with Zach. Whether or not the book had a slow pace, the movie needs to work as movies work. If something from the source material makes for a bad viewing experience, then it should be modified or removed for the purpose of making the material appropriate to a different medium.

That isn't to say that critics are right in this case, but books and movies work differently.

 

[The Josh]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

Pretty sure that was prior to this recent surge in 3-D gimmickry. So I doubt it.

And I agree with Zach. Whether or not the book had a slow pace, the movie needs to work as movies work. If something from the source material makes for a bad viewing experience, then it should be modified or removed for the purpose of making the material appropriate to a different medium.

That isn't to say that critics are right in this case, but books and movies work differently.

That's a fine line because if you modify or remove too many things that are from the source material you alienate your fanbase (those that are coming from the book) and they don't go see the movie more than once.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

That's a fine line because if you modify or remove too many things that are from the source material you alienate your fanbase (those that are coming from the book) and they don't go see the movie more than once.

I'd think PJ is more focused on making a decent movie than how many asses are in the seats. (hell this is a LOTR prequel). The studio, however might be.

They changed loads in the Harry Potter flicks, but people still saw them and they crushed records.

 

[EXOTICLEX]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

I read the hobbit when I was a sophomore in HS. I never have read the LOTR trilogy.

 

[EXOTICLEX]

Re: The Official "The Hobbit" movie thread

This will be some good fun.