I agree with some of your review wholeheartedly and some I disagree with. Probably the CGI the most. I don't think it was as good as the original trilogy. The wargs in the original looked like actual beast where as the one in The Hobbit you could tell were CGI. I have to admit that the points you touched on about why some had some issues with it are the exact issues I had with it. That's the difference in why I thought it was good versus fantastic.
I'd say that for the most part I am happy to leave everybody to their own opinions, but in your case I was really hoping that you would love it, and I'm glad to hear that you weren't let down after all these years of waiting. Personally, I had let myself get a little skeptical, and so the film really exceeded my expectations. I feel like you have really "kept the faith" when it comes to this film and PJ's return to Middle-earth, and I think your faith in him was rewarded. I am now really looking forward to the next two.
Thanks Tom! You are among those that I carry a lot of care about what your thoughts would be of this film. So knowing you enjoyed it and that you like the 48 give me hope I will like it.
I admit I was worried that my expectations would be too high. That even the slightest issue would bother me more than it should. I was pleased that this didn't happen and that this film was every bit as good as I had hoped. I tried. I had my moments but I admit there are a few issues in my long winded summary of the film. Its not perfect but its every bit as good The Lord of the Rings films but its a lighter tone something I think people MUST understand. I'm ready for my second viewing tomorrow but I feel like I did all those years ago in the wait for next year is going to be a pain.
Disclaimer: I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings books more than I did the Hobbit and I expect the movies will be the same. Although I enjoy all the books/all things Middle Earth. I also enjoy chocolate ice cream more than orange sherbert but they're both awesome. lol
First impressions (I saw it on IMAX 3D)...
- I much prefer the makup and effects used for the Orcs in LotR over the heavy CGI in the Hobbit
- A lot of the action scenes where Disney like and reminded me of Pirates of the Carribean
- A lot of the score was diretly taken from the Lord of the Rings, some is good but would have preferred a little less recycling
- Didn't care much for the Dwarves juggling and hacky sacking of Bilbo's dishes but that's pretty much what happens in the book
- I still find 3D distracting and found myself removing and tyring to clean my glasses often
- I like the way PJ handled the Stone Trolls scene
- The Rivendell scene just seemed uncomfortable to me for some reason that I can't put my finger on at the moment
- The Benny Hill sequence with the Orcs chasing Radagast was a bit much
- I didn't care for Radagast's jackrabbit driven sleigh
- Not sure why people think it dragged but my guess is they're not Tolkien fanboys like myself who want as much Middle Earth as they can get. I didn't think it dragged.
- The scene were there was not much action going on were clear and beatuful but I found the action sequences got kinda blurry and hard to follow in some cases.
- I didn't see the need to use Azog as the main protaganist, they could have used Bolg and kept the continuity with the book. I don't have an issue with how that character was used in the story just the character choice itself.
- Loved seeing the Witch-king in true form at Dol-Guldur
- Was Smaug blue?!?!
- I'm glad there was an opening flashback to what happened at Erebor similar the the battle of the last alliance in LotR
- Saruman's beard was wierd. lol
- Elrond was more cheerful in the Hobbit than he was in Return of the King. lol
- I found myself more emotionally drawn in to the Fellowship of the Rings than an Unexpected Journey. I attribute that to the fact that the main players are all Dwarves, and that's my least favorite Middle Earth race.
In summary, this movie kicked ass and I can't wait to see it again.
PS. Seems silly to have to spoiler tag discussions of the movie now that it's been release. Can we make this thread SPOILER approved or should we just start another one?
I much prefer the makup and effects used for the Orcs in LotR over the heavy CGI in the Hobbit
- A lot of the action scenes where Disney like and reminded me of Pirates of the Carribean
I found myself more emotionally drawn in to the Fellowship of the Rings than an Unexpected Journey. I attribute that to the fact that the main players are all Dwarves, and that's my least favorite Middle Earth race.
These points from your spoiler are exactly what I felt. Scary how close they are to how I felt. The comparison to the film you mentioned is the exact film I thought of.
The wait for the next one will be harder for me than the wait for this one. I was cautiously optimistic with guarded expectations going in to this one, but I ended up loving it and now I'm totally ready for part two.
I think the CGI is as good as Lord of the Rings, it must be the HFR that is killing it. I never thought they could surpass what they did with Gollum in the LOTR, and I also thought there would be a seen it all beforeness about him when he turns up. However watching him on screen again I was blown away at how even more lifelike he had become.
I agree with some of your review wholeheartedly and some I disagree with. Probably the CGI the most. I don't think it was as good as the original trilogy. The wargs in the original looked like actual beast where as the one in The Hobbit you could tell were CGI. I have to admit that the points you touched on about why some had some issues with it are the exact issues I had with it. That's the difference in why I thought it was good versus fantastic.
That's fair. I expect many will agree and won't even with bits and pieces. I've seen a couple on FB on TORN's page say I wasn't critical enough. Like I said it to me was every bit as good. The only moment I thought was off was the wargs chasing radagast from far away shots. It reminded me of some of the same issues in TTT so it wasn't something super bad. As far as the Wargs I really liked them here and I really liked them in LOTR (I do prefer the overall design in LOTR). I think overtime those issues will go away for various reasons.
The wait for the next one will be harder for me than the wait for this one. I was cautiously optimistic with guarded expectations going in to this one, but I ended up loving it and now I'm totally ready for part two.
I think the CGI is as good as Lord of the Rings, it must be the HFR that is killing it. I never thought they could surpass what they did with Gollum in the LOTR, and I also thought there would be a seen it all beforeness about him when he turns up. However watching him on screen again I was blown away at how even more lifelike he had become.
I just figured these aren't same same orcs or warts. They are from a different region. It would have been boring for me if the designs were all the same.
I just figured these aren't same same orcs or warts. They are from a different region. It would have been boring for me if the designs were all the same.
The Orcs I think look very similar but we know from the texts out there that Tolkien created Goblins different from Orcs. I loved the difference and how they looked was great. The Wargs we know are totally different from just one word Gandalf mentions. Gundabad is far in the North (if you play War in the North you'll go there). So the Wargs we see in LOTR are from farther south probably near Isengard or maybe Mordor Wargs.
Hmm that bothers me there just a tiny bit...I guess Thorin does fill Dain's role somewhat...and Azog is alive?...Sounds like it was a little extra unneccessary story change...Like having Arwen a Warrior instead of just a princess when she took Glorfindel's role in FOTR....hmmm...On Sat 7pm it's my turn
Hmm that bothers me there just a tiny bit...I guess Thorin does fill Dain's role somewhat...and Azog is alive?...Sounds like it was a little extra unneccessary story change...Like having Arwen a Warrior instead of just a princess when she took Glorfindel's role in FOTR....hmmm...On Sat 7pm it's my turn
That's one of the things that bugged me the most. The whole Azog story line. I wish they had introduced his son Bolg instead so it would've been more in line with the book.
Hmm that bothers me there just a tiny bit...I guess Thorin does fill Dain's role somewhat...and Azog is alive?...Sounds like it was a little extra unneccessary story change...Like having Arwen a Warrior instead of just a princess when she took Glorfindel's role in FOTR....hmmm...On Sat 7pm it's my turn
Yeah, I wasn't a huge fan of a couple changes dealing with the dwarf/Orc battle. Would have like to see Dain there as well as just a glimpse of The Balrog. It's a damn cool sequence though.
My daughter and I went to the 12:01 IMAX viewing, still trying to soak it all in, it was fantastic! Loved every second of it. Gollum was so real it was scary!
BONUS my theater gave out these great posters, gonna look awesome behind my Gollum and Gandalf PFs!
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. People with contrary opinions and tastes can live happily and respectfully alongside each other if they choose to do so.
My daughter and I went to the 12:01 IMAX viewing, still trying to soak it all in, it was fantastic! Loved every second of it. Gollum was so real it was scary!
BONUS my theater gave out these great posters, gonna look awesome behind my Gollum and Gandalf PFs!
I just figured these aren't same same orcs or warts. They are from a different region. It would have been boring for me if the designs were all the same.
Maybe I'm taking for granted that there weren't different types of orcs. I just know that the design of orcs and goblins in the trilogy didn't change much. I definitely enjoyed the film and will probably see it in 3-D yet. I don't want to give the wrong impression. It just didn't knock my socks off like I felt the first time I watched FOTR. I haven't read the books in years and as some have pointed out the overall theme between The Hobbit and the Lord Of The Rings is different so it's probably just like in the books and I just forget.
I just figured these aren't same same orcs or warts. They are from a different region. It would have been boring for me if the designs were all the same.
Hmm that bothers me there just a tiny bit...I guess Thorin does fill Dain's role somewhat...and Azog is alive?...Sounds like it was a little extra unneccessary story change...
You are among those that I carry a lot of care about what your thoughts would be of this film. So knowing you enjoyed it and that you like the 48 give me hope I will like it.
