Roheryn
Tol Eressea
Apr 6 2013, 11:35pm
Views: 1786
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AUJ through the eyes of eager children
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My young boys (Eldarion, age 7, and Little Eldarion, age 5) just had their first chance to watch AUJ (with a fair few bits censored, of course). They’ve REALLY been looking forward to getting to see it and were utterly wriggly with excitement. I thought I’d share some of their reactions; it’s easy for us old folk to forget what it might be like to see the movie through the eyes of children. I’ve read the book straight through once with them about six months ago (they loved it), and we’ve read parts of it a number of times since then. With just one exception (where I pointed out Fili’s shovel), everything they said was spontaneous and unsolicited. NZ Toddler (19 months) joined us for parts and was apparently riveted too – she also had a couple of comments. Little Eldarion (LE) got out his Hobbit Movie book as the Dwarves started arriving at Bag End so that he could easily match names and faces. Eldarion (E), in shock, of Dwalin: “He’s eating Bilbo’s dinner!” LE, also of Dwalin: “Dwalin was so naughty when he ate Bilbo’s dinner!” E, in shock again, of the Dwarves in Bag End: “They’re having a food fight!” NZ Toddler (NZT), seeing the massive feast set out by the Dwarves: *gigglegigglegiggle* She loves food! Both boys laughed at the belching. The boys spent a good minute discussing with each other whether they themselves would go on the Adventure, if they could. (They both agreed yes, they would.) Both boys LOVE Bilbo’s excitement as he runs through Hobbiton. They also LOVE the bunny sled, every time it’s on screen. NZT, on seeing the bunny sled: *gigglegigglegigglegiggle* E, after Galadriel tells Gandalf “If you should ever need my help, I will come”: “I wonder how THAT magic works?” E, on Fili’s shovel (seen on his back after they leave Rivendell): “Oh, it must be for shovelling snow – look at all that snow in the mountains!” E, on seeing Bilbo’s sword glowing blue for the first time, just after the heart-to-heart with Bofur: “OH MY GOODNESS! It’s glowing blue!” E, on the first bits of Goblin-town: “This is actually not so scary.” And then: “These goblins are not good builders, I can tell.” E, on the Great Goblin: “His chin makes him look like he has a beard!” E, when Thorin hugs Bilbo: a very sincere “Awwwwww…” E, on the first view of the distant Lonely Mountain: “Wow! There it is!” E, after the Dwarves see the thrush: “I think it was a sign too. Durin’s Day must be coming near!” And then, when Smaug’s nose blows out of the mound of treasure: Both boys JUMPED. ****** My general observation was that they got a little bored or fidgety with the talky bits – the character moments that most of us older folk love so much. But any scene with more movement and less talking held their attention well. They were also captivated with Riddles in the Dark, and even the Pity of Bilbo scene. And this brings me to a point I’ve seen made before: a lot of the bits I’ve seen most complained about here appealed greatly to my boys. I think PJ’s actually done a fabulous job of appealing to a very wide audience.
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