|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Altaira
Superuser
Dec 14 2012, 3:41pm
Post #1 of 33
(1783 views)
Shortcut
|
Please post all Hobbit reviews within this thread. (Links to previous review threads within.)
|
Can't Post
|
|
Thread 1
Thread 2
Thread 3
Thread 4
Thread 5
Thread 6
Thread 7
Thread 8
Thread 9
Thread 10
Thread 11
Thread 12
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
|
|
|
Gorbag
Rivendell
Dec 14 2012, 4:02pm
Post #2 of 33
(1250 views)
Shortcut
|
|
A second review, the day after watching it....*Spoilers*
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
Since watching it yesterday afternoon, it keeps popping into my head. There are so many moments in the film that made me smile, and still do when i think of them. Few thoughts...
The flashbacks/prologues were great to see. Nice to get a visual insight on the history of the Dwarves, and set up some of the storyline.
The Trolls, i loved how they handled this scene. Even though it was alot different from the book in some aspects, the trolls were just how i imagined them to be. The design and the personalilites of them were fantastic. Cant wait to see that scene again.
Goblin town/Riddles in the Dark were amazingly done. Riddles in the Dark could well be my favourite moments of Tolkien on screen ive ever seen. Everything about it was pitch-perfect, from the acting to the CGI to the right mix of sinister/humour. Goblin town was amazing. It wasnt how i pictured it, but it amazing on the big screen. LOVED the design of the Goblins and the Great Goblin. Oh and the Goblin scribe? Brilliant. Also when the Goblin King called the swords Beater and Biter i almost cheered.
Martin Freeman was far far better than i imagined as Bilbo, he really really shines in this film. Great actor and a perfect casting.
Azog i thought was really well done. Such a great villian and i liked how they made him look. A brutal and sinister orc. The story arc between him and Thorin was a great idea to put in.
Radagast showed that Sylvester was the perfect choice. Wonderfully wacky, yet a solid heart beneath. I thought they showed how different he is from Gandalf well. Really looking forward to seeing more of him i hope.
Im going to see the film again soon, and I honestly cant wait. Very quickly I got the same feeling I did while watching the LOTR films, it felt like going back to the Middle-earth I know and love again.
That’s what I wanted, to go back to Middle-earth to hear another tale or two, and what a tale was told!
“I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
|
|
|
imin
Valinor
Dec 14 2012, 4:23pm
Post #3 of 33
(1127 views)
Shortcut
|
down to mixed on metacritic - anything below 60. hobbit currently on 58/100
RT down to 67%, 6.5/10 for all critics and for top (in the UK) down to 47% 6/10
Shows that the critics and top critics are much more in agreement than previously thought - only 0.5/10 difference in score.
It has dropped by around 5-10% the past couple of days, i cant see it dropping much further. Not many films do on RT unless they are terrible.
I know people say we shouldnt place much value in the ratings etc but quite a few people use them to help pick a film for them to watch. I know for me if i went on and saw a random film had a score of 67% i would go watch something else as on RT that is a low score.
I hope there isnt a snowballing effect from all the negative/mixed reviews. I think its a bit better than 6-6.5/10
|
|
|
Crunchable Birdses
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 5:12pm
Post #4 of 33
(1099 views)
Shortcut
|
Rotten is below 65, right? Or is it below 60?
* crunch *
|
|
|
frodolives
Lorien
Dec 14 2012, 5:36pm
Post #6 of 33
(1056 views)
Shortcut
|
Hopefully it will stay within the 60+ range, although box office numbers are what interests me more now.
|
|
|
Elessar
Valinor
Dec 14 2012, 5:46pm
Post #7 of 33
(1125 views)
Shortcut
|
|
My Summary and Thoughts of The Hobbit
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
In April of 2004 as I left the theater after seeing The Return of the King one last time I told my Dad: “Well, I guess that’s it.” I really wasn’t sold that The Hobbit would be made because of all the issues holding it up from being made before The Lord of the Rings came to the big screen. So I was content that we got three amazing films that captured something that means the world to me.
Of course, since then we’ve had a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs getting The Hobbit filmed and into theaters around the world. So, as the theater went dark I looked at my parents and said to them: “Here we go again.” For my first screening I decided to go with the old-fashioned 24fps 2D because I did not want to take the risk of not liking 48fps (but I am seeing it that way this Saturday).
 The film opens beautifully with Sir Ian Holm talking about how he hasn’t quite told Frodo everything about how his adventure went. We get a great look at Sting, the Red Book, and other artifacts in Bilbo’s chest. As Bilbo talks we get a fantastic look at Dale, Erebor (this is such a beautiful place), and of course Smaug just tearing this place apart. I would say next to The Fellowship of the Ring prologue it’s the best introduction of the Jakcson’s four Middle-earth films. The whole sequence occurs during Bilbo’s 111th Birthday and ends with Frodo nailing up the “No Admittance” sign before surprising Gandalf. It’s just great to see Holm and Elijah Wood back in Middle-earth and I think it’s a great way to get the ball rolling.
As old Bilbo sits down for a smoke the film fades back in time to a younger Bilbo smoking while being visited by Gandalf. This is a great moment seeing Gandalf back in The Shire at Bag End with great dialogue straight from the book about good mornings.
It’s a fun Gandalf again who isn’t nearly as stressed about the world, and you get a great Bilbo who is kind of stand-offish. This little moment, which ends with Gandalf leaving his “G-rune” on the door so the Dwarves know who to look out for, allows you to get the jump on their character arcs for this particular Trilogy.
Next thing you know poor Bilbo is interrupted by this ruckus of Dwarves. Introductions are largely ripped directtly from the book, and introduce all the Dwarves and their personalities. This is nice as several of them pretty much stay background characters the rest of the film. You also get the two Dwarven songs which I really enjoyed hearing. Again, it just helps give depth to everything. I realize this is the area where the pacing issues from critics and some fans come from. I truly believe this is because they expected it to be The Lord of the Rings redux not realizing or knowing that The Hobbit is a children’s tale — and lighter and more fun compared to its more mature counterpart. So, I must completely disagree that there is any kind pacing issue in this first 40 to 45 minutes. It’s just fine, and I think Jackson did a great job bringing this section of the book bringing to life as I think only he can.
 The pace does pick up when Bilbo wakes up and dashes off to catch up with Thorin and Co. One of the first major things you run into after leaving The Shire is you get to see the Trolls. You know Bilbo’s Trolls before they became stone as we see them in Fellowship of the Ring. I really enjoyed this moment as again I felt like Jackson really just pulled it from the book. It’s not exact, and there are changes, but the heart of the moment is there, and the Trolls are every bit as goofy as they are in the book. I will say the one complaint about this section I have is the snot gag went a little longer than it should have (kind of like the belching in Bag End). Other than that it was great as it ends with Gandalf showing off his power and the Trolls ending up as stone in the positions we see them in Fellowship of the Ring. After getting attacked by Trolls the first thing you always do is go look at their home, which they do of course, finding Sting, Glamdring, and Orcrist. This is no different than the book and yet another winning moment for me especially with a line Gandalf tells Bilbo about knowing when to save or take a life.
The next major moment is a great sequence of Balin talking about the Battle of Azanulbizar and how Thorin Oakenshield became who he is. The battle sequence I think is just second to the prologue sequence in Fellowship of the Ring. There is a ton of action with Orcs killing Dwarves and vice versa. Azog is a brutal Orc l have to say that and really freaking cool looking. I love his look and as soon as Weta makes a statue I will be buying it. What he does to Thror is just down-right nasty but no more so than what he does to Thrain in the book (I’ll get to that in a second). This of course drives Thorin to rage and going toe-to-toe with Azog — an encounter whose final end we won;t know until later in the movie. Now, this section as cool as it is I have issues with a bit. I’d have really preferred Azog to have bit it and the reason the Dwarves to fail to retake Moria would be due to the Balrog. Other than that this little section of the movie is great.
 After this we finally meet Radagast. This is one character I’ve really been looking forward to seeing come to life. Yes, he’s an odd duck, but he’s been living away from humans. This tends to make someone a little odder than normal. He’s not even close to the ultra-silly Jar-Jar comments I’ve seen some use and I can only think they had their minds made up even before seeing the character. What does he add to the movie? Well, he shows not all the Wizards are like Gandalf and Saruman. Those two are strong and wise just from looking at them you can tell this. But if you look at Radagast you might not know. That being said you can see his power as he helps bring back his little buddy to life since its been infected by the Necromancer (this part made me want to hug one of my puppies and let them know I love them). Once he leaves Rhosgobel on his bunny-sled (which I think is cool as all get out) he catches up to Gandalf, Thorin and Co. During this sequence we see that he went to Dol Guldur battling the Witch-king of Angmar and managing to collect a Morgul-blade in the process. So I think the complaints about the character are out of bounds and he serves a great purpose minus the bird crap on his head (I really don’t like that at all).
 Rivendell is as beautiful as it ever was! I won’t go on about it but when we first see it, all the Elves in armor (give me a statue please) — including Elrond — gave me goosebumps. The best part, though, is the White Council meeting. Cate Blanchett as Galadriel is as stunning as ever, and the initial outfit she’s wearing is definitely the best-looking one of all four films.
The entire back and forth of this sequence is fantastic especially how you can tell Saruman is already being taken with Gandalf not trusting him. I also love how Galadriel just pushes the buttons as needed from outside of the fray. And their reactions when Gandalf lays out the Morgul-blade are fantastic — they all realize that something bad is coming. Another item at Rivendell I really liked was the Moon Rune table and I think it’s better than how it is in the books. This just felt like it fits better within what we know about Middle-earth.
 From here the Dwarves set out and we finally get to see Stone Giants do battle. Which is both pretty darn cool and does possibly have an element of we’ve-seen-this-in-LOTR. Then we get into Goblin Town! This was by far the coolest new addition to the Middle-earth universe on screen. It was just so well created by Jackson and Weta it was hard to tell what was CGI and what wasn’t. Yes, it does look similar to what the Orcs did under Orthanc but that makes sense because Orcs and Goblins are similar. Plus this is just so much more and in-depth to that its just on a whole different level of coolness. I loved the design of the Goblins they just look freaking great!
If you watch it you can see plenty of men in suits to go with the CGI ones. This makes for a great looking setup. The Great Goblin outside of his chin is another superb job by Weta. He is every bit CGI but I think there are moments where it’s really hard to tell, making for a very believable character. He’s very creepy and cruel just like he comes across in the book. During this sequence we also get to see more of Gandalf’s power — something maybe people don’t quite realize he has. It’s just one more reason Gandalf is one of the coolest characters in Middle-earth.
 Bilbo is not to be forgotten during this sequence as we finally get to see Riddles in the Dark come to life. The back and forth between Bilbo and Gollum is equal to the book on every level. You can see there is real chemistry between Andy Serkis and Martin Freeman. You see just how evil Gollum can be and why he is so crazy to get his Precious back at during The Lord of the Rings. From here we see the company get chased by Wargs which looked fantastic, saved by eagles, and eventually left on Carrock (which does look like a bear). The movie ends with a look at something I think we’ve dreamed of for years to finally see. J
I just want to say that the acting in this movie was fantastic! Every actor I think did a superb job playing their role. Martin Freeman is Bilbo Baggins and he owned the role! I knew little of him going in but I want to know more about him know because he nailed the way Bilbo comes across in the book. Richard Armitage also owned Thorin. Thorin in the book has some nice kind moments but as a whole is a bit of a jerk because of how life has treated him. Mr. Armitage brings all of that to life. I don’t think I need to say a lot about Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis. Both of these men are amazing and I think did even a better job in these roles than they did in The Lord of the Rings.
 The CGI in this movie is every bit as good as Lord of the Rings. I’ve seen some say that it looked worse or some of it really fake. I say bupkus to that because none of it looked bad. The Wargs looked even cooler, Goblin Town was amazing, the Goblins that needed to be CGI looked great, and the Orcs from the battle sequence looked great. The two big knocks I think come at Azog and the Great Goblin who I think looked as real as anything. Yes, you know they’re CGI but they had to be for what they were but it was some of the most real-looking CGI. Don’t fear though there are lots of men-in-suits Orcs and Goblins as much as what we saw in The Lord of the Rings so I think some of the rumors are blown out of proportion. The last thing I’ve heard complaints about is the score within the movie. There are many familiar themes within this movie but if you listen carefully you hear many new ones as well. I believe the issue stems from all of us having listened to The Lord of the Rings OS so many times. Howard Shore once again has nailed Middle-earth musically.
 Finally, this movie is every bit as good as The Lord of the Rings. It’s just a different tone because of the nature of the book, something I hope in the end people will realize. Peter Jackson has once again hit it big with something special and I for one am looking forward to going there and back again several times over the next three years.
Final Score: 9/10
|
|
|
Crunchable Birdses
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 5:52pm
Post #8 of 33
(1059 views)
Shortcut
|
|
The first box office report suggests it should perform well.
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-report-hobbit-grosses-402462
"Box Office Report: 'The Hobbit' Grosses $12.4 Mil in Midnight Runs, Sets December Record"
It's very early days obviously, but this seems to be a promising start.
* crunch *
|
|
|
Crunchable Birdses
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 6:00pm
Post #9 of 33
(1027 views)
Shortcut
|
http://www.boxoffice.com/latest-news/2012-12-14-the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-bags-13-million-at-midnight
1.6m more from IMAX
* crunch *
|
|
|
Kassandros
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 6:25pm
Post #11 of 33
(1050 views)
Shortcut
|
I'm still processing most of the movie and will need to see it again. In general, I loved the acting and music but was surprised by how many changes there were from the book. Many iconic scenes played out very differently. I need to watch the movie again on it's own terms. Two things that made the biggest impression on me:
Riddles In The Dark was perfect. Seeing Freeman and Serkis capture all of the subtle points of Bilbo and Gollum in the stunning lifelike clarity of 3D HFR was the highlight of the film. Funny. Scary. Well paced. I would have liked to have seen gollum go back out to his island and for the scene to have been darker, but the acting was so spectacular that I didn't really mind. It was Bilbo and Gollum come to life. Serkis and Freeman are incredible, incredible actors.
Azog was terrible. Why did they over-simplify and mangle Dwarven history? Why did they make Azog completely devoid of any personality? I mean, Lurtz was a better villain, and he had a far leass prominent role in FOTR. So unncessessary, it seemed. I liked the idea of personifying the hatred of the Orcs and Dwarves, but this was just a generic bad guy. Gothmog (the orc at Pellenor fields, right?) had far more personality.
Really hope I change my mind about the second upon viewing again and noticing some subtle things that I missed, but these are the two strongest opinions I have. Well, one more:
OMG I love Radagast! I wish he had a bigger part in the movie and I can't wait to see him in TDOS! Sylvester McCoy and the costume people nailed him. Very tough character to do right and they sure did.
all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us...
|
|
|
burrahobbit
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 6:53pm
Post #12 of 33
(1003 views)
Shortcut
|
|
I wonder what the thinking behind Azog was
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
Yes Riddles in the Dark was cool :)
We've got the Great Goblin, the Necromancer, Smaug, Thranduil... why did they need another antagonist? He was just so generic and dull, reminded me of a Klingon or of Darth Maul. And the slow-mo battle with Thorin at the end... oh dear
I wish they had gone for two films and pushed the story on to the Barrel Escape, then there would have been no time for Azog and strange changes, and we could have had a brilliant climax of Bilbo's wit and skill resuing the company, rather than another heavy metal testosterone battle.
|
|
|
frodolives
Lorien
Dec 14 2012, 6:55pm
Post #13 of 33
(972 views)
Shortcut
|
|
At this rate it will drop below 60%
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
If the remaining reviews come in at a 50/50 rate, the film will end up around the 59% mark (rotten). That appears to be what is happening.
|
|
|
Fredeghar Wayfarer
Lorien
Dec 14 2012, 6:56pm
Post #14 of 33
(997 views)
Shortcut
|
When they were adapting actual scenes from the book, it was sublime. Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage were brilliant and the rest of the cast was strong. Gollum and the riddle scene were amazing. The Bag End scenes were perfect. The designs for the trolls, goblins, and wargs were great. The costumes and sets and New Zealand landscape were as incredible as ever.
But the new material and the trilogy structure kill the pacing. It feels drawn out, like "butter scraped over too much bread," as Bilbo would say. I still disagree with the decision to do three films and I think this one suffers for that choice.
I did like the White Council and the scenes of Dol Guldur. That added context without intruding too much on the story. But Radagast was completely unnecessary, even if Sylvester McCoy did a good job playing him. There was no need for that chase scene with his rabbit sled or the extra warg attack. And how did Radagast get from Mirkwood to the Trollshaws? That's a hundred or so miles and across a mountain range! The bunnies can't be THAT fast! If they wanted Radagast in this, why not save him until Mirkwood or put him in the White Council scene where his presence would make sense?
I also didn't see the need for Azog. Sure, it adds a personal touch to Thorin's enmity with the orcs but Bolg could fill the same role and he's actually in the book. They could have had Bolg fight beside Azog at the Battle of Azanulbizar and transfer Thorin's vendetta to him.
So a good movie but not as good as it could have been if they'd cut the filler and stuck to only two films.
|
|
|
Kassandros
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 6:57pm
Post #15 of 33
(961 views)
Shortcut
|
|
I also thought of Darth Maul :-(
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
I would have much preferred to see the Wargs on their own. They were scarier in the books, almost a representation of the dangerous parts of the wild. They were more wolf-like. Now they're mounts, led by an orc. Ugh. Not at all how I imagined this iconic scene.
I am almost thinking that two four hours movies would have been the best solution. Then Bilbo could show his courage with the spiders, as is appropriate. End with the capture of the Dwarves by the Elves. Ah well.
all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us...
|
|
|
Crunchable Birdses
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 6:58pm
Post #16 of 33
(986 views)
Shortcut
|
|
We are already below the last two Star Wars films
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
This is utter insanity.
* crunch *
|
|
|
Kassandros
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 7:00pm
Post #17 of 33
(972 views)
Shortcut
|
|
It felt rushed to me, not drawn out
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
Maybe it was the HFR, but it felt like there weren't enough moments for the movie to sit and breathe, especially later in the film. It felt like I was being rushed from one action scene to another.
Also didn't feel complete. I felt like I saw the first third of a movie, not a complete movie. Very different from Fellowship in that regard.
all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us...
|
|
|
Cave Troll
Rivendell
Dec 14 2012, 7:07pm
Post #18 of 33
(950 views)
Shortcut
|
Didn't even think Darth Maul at the time but that's basically what he is.
Also very disappointed that the wargs are still just orc mounts. 
|
|
|
Lucky Luke
Bree
Dec 14 2012, 7:09pm
Post #19 of 33
(1016 views)
Shortcut
|
 I found R. Scott's Prometheus even more disappointing than The Hobbit. But one thing they had in common was a huge white goofy non believable villain!
|
|
|
Cave Troll
Rivendell
Dec 14 2012, 7:13pm
Post #20 of 33
(950 views)
Shortcut
|
it's just not a very good film.
At this point I hardly think PJ and crew being chastened by AUJ's reception would be the worst thing in the world.
Get back on the straight and narrow, be more sparing with the CGI, give more time to the acting than the action and make the next two films brilliant.
|
|
|
burrahobbit
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 7:14pm
Post #21 of 33
(954 views)
Shortcut
|
Yes I know what you are saying. In Fellowship there was the key scene in Moria where they stop and Frodo and Gandalf share the deepest emotional moment of the film. And there were others too, waking up in Rivendell, Balin's Tomb... You really felt the atmosphere of places and the character interactions.
I just didn't feel those moments often enough in AUJ, which is so strange when it had such a long running time. Moments in The Hobbit book, like when Bilbo wakes in the complete dark of the Misty Mountains and decides to go on alone, or when the elves tease the dwaves at Rivendell, or when Gandalf departs from the company at Mirkwood (of course we didn't get that far). Only Riddles in Dark got that real atmosphere and drama.
|
|
|
Crunchable Birdses
Rohan
Dec 14 2012, 7:15pm
Post #22 of 33
(988 views)
Shortcut
|
|
64% RottenTomato. Negative reviews are pouring in now
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
The last few negative reviews have been utterly ignorant and infuriating to read.
* crunch *
|
|
|
talkingmongoose
The Shire
Dec 14 2012, 7:16pm
Post #23 of 33
(1007 views)
Shortcut
|
Mark Kermode's review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muD8SHUV3YU
In summary, he didn't like 48fps and thought it could do with a good trimming. However, he said that 'riddles' was fantastic and that overall, it was very enjoyable. Simon Mayo agreed. Fairly positive.
|
|
|
Lusitano
Tol Eressea
Dec 14 2012, 7:30pm
Post #24 of 33
(961 views)
Shortcut
|
go to AITCollNews and read the talkbacks for the reviews. See how they make you feel!
And this RT business is curious. I never paid attention before nor shall i begin now.
|
|
|
Elessar
Valinor
Dec 14 2012, 7:46pm
Post #25 of 33
(909 views)
Shortcut
|
Different sides of the fence then. There is no way I can agree at all that this film is awful. Sounds like you might have had your mind made up before you saw it
|
|
|
|
|
1
