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Jeffrodo
Bree
Oct 22 2018, 2:50am
Post #1 of 40
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I still love The Hobbit!
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Almost 6 years ago the trilogy debuted. So much has been said of it, so much criticism and comparison to LOTR. Yet after 6 years I find I still LOVE The Hobbit trilogy. These are entertaining films that take me away to Middle Earth once again. Yes there are things I’d change but overall the movies are so good. I also find them very rewatchable. I hope we see some of the dwarves in the new tv series!
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Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea
Oct 22 2018, 4:10am
Post #2 of 40
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My own thoughts are complicated, but your love makes my heart glad.
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There's no way around it. My reaction to each of the films was one of initial disappointment, followed by an acceptance of what they weren't, and a cherishing of the elements which I did love. But it fills me with so much happiness that there are those who unabashedly love them - who have a special place in their hearts for each and every frame (just as I do with the LotR trilogy). One thing I will say about my own experience with the Hobbit is that I wouldn't trade that build up to An Unexpected Journey for anything in the world. The film didn't ultimately live up to my expectations, but the journey (pun intended ) to get there was one of the most joyous experiences of my life (matching the joy I felt during the heyday of LotR).
"The danger with any movie that does as well as this one does is that the amount of money it's making and the number of awards that it's got becomes almost more important than the movie itself in people's minds. I look at that as, in a sense, being very much like the Ring, and its effect on people. You know, you can kind of forget what we were doing, if you get too wrapped up in that." - Viggo Mortensen
(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Oct 22 2018, 4:10am)
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Belegdir
Lorien
Oct 22 2018, 1:37pm
Post #3 of 40
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I may not love it as much as LotR
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However, I do enjoy the films for what they are and have no problems watching them. Sure there are elements I wish were changed, or not included, but I think everyone involved did a marvellous job. Especially Freeman. I though his portrayal of Bilbo was excellent.
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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Oct 24 2018, 7:22pm
Post #4 of 40
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I loved it so much, I spent 3 years saving money for my own trip to Middle-earth! (Now I am in love with New Zealand & hope to return someday) There's actually very little I would change in the Hobbit films, and what I don't care for is so minor that I usually just let it play. Yes, I loved the original trilogy as well, drove my family insane watching them so much. But if it's possible, I may love the Hobbit films more! I confess, my crush on Thorin might have SOMETHING to do with it, but really, all of the actors were perfect for their parts, even if I didn't much care for the characters. And then of course there's New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes. Okay, that's it, I gotta go THERE AND BACK AGAIN!!!
I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies - this is me! from The Greatest Showman
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Chen G.
Gondor
Oct 24 2018, 7:42pm
Post #5 of 40
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Yes, I loved the original trilogy as well. To me, this idea of an "original" trilogy is artificial. Its a unified sextet (or hexalogy). If there's a difference between the two trilogies, its all within the reasonable and desirable boundaries of variation, much like you'd expect between individual films in a trilogy: you can't have six films all be the exact same, after all.
But if it's possible, I may love the Hobbit films more! They're certainly more accesible from a packaging standpoint: being significantly shorter. As a result, I ended up watching them in recent years much more frequently than The Lord of the Rings, purely for "logistical" reasons. Thematically, these kinds of archetypal stories get a lot of flack for their supposed simplicity, and while that's untrue and overlooks several complex character stories injected into the narrative (issues of loyalty in Return of the King, for instance), never in this series have they been as front-and-center as Thorin's is. This character is so wonderfully nuanced, flawed and at times morally ambigious - its gripping stuff.
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Noria
Gondor
Oct 26 2018, 12:52pm
Post #6 of 40
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As I mentioned on the LotR movie forum, I recently watched those movies for the first time in several years, and found that the same things thrilled me and the same things irked me that always had. My immense love of these movies overall has not diminished. Now I’ve started rewatching The Hobbit and have just finished AUJ. I still love it though the same things still annoy me, like the Goblin King. As with the books, TH movies will always be second in my heart to the LotR films, but that is still a lot of love.
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NecromancerRising
Gondor
Oct 26 2018, 4:41pm
Post #7 of 40
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with AUJ and definitely the strongest ones of the whole trilogy are the troll sequence and the whole Radagast/Wargs/Dwarves/Elves sequence.These 2 lengthy scenes ruin the pace and the overall cohesion of this movie,that's why it is my least favourite of all six!
"You cannot find peace by avoiding life"
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Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea
Oct 26 2018, 10:18pm
Post #9 of 40
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Following up on my earlier reply...
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...this thread has made me realize that I never have actually watched all three parts in a single sitting, as one long film. I'm actually rather shocked that I haven't done this. Given that I've long held onto my misgivings about the decision to split the story into three movies, I wonder how my feelings about the adaptation might (or might not) be altered by such a viewing.
"The danger with any movie that does as well as this one does is that the amount of money it's making and the number of awards that it's got becomes almost more important than the movie itself in people's minds. I look at that as, in a sense, being very much like the Ring, and its effect on people. You know, you can kind of forget what we were doing, if you get too wrapped up in that." - Viggo Mortensen
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Chen G.
Gondor
Oct 27 2018, 9:36am
Post #10 of 40
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with AUJ and definitely the strongest ones of the whole trilogy are the troll sequence and the whole Radagast/Wargs/Dwarves/Elves sequence.These 2 lengthy scenes ruin the pace and the overall cohesion of this movie,that's why it is my least favourite of all six! Same, although the Warg chase at least sets-up the idea that the company is being hunted and does move them to Rivendell. That's the funny thing: if the theatrical cut would have been shorter, we'd all accept the extended cut, as it is, without a quibble, I think.
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Thor 'n' Oakenshield
Rohan
Oct 27 2018, 2:27pm
Post #11 of 40
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Because I love the contrast between the Brown Wizard on his rabbit-sled, or whatever that contraption is, and the orcs. Such a beautiful intertwining of elements from Middle-earth. I don't love AUJ as much as the other two Hobbit films; I've never been fond of the Troll sequence, and I thought it moved a little slower - though the battle at the end is quite incredible, and Riddles in the Dark, and Rivendell of course. I do love the Hobbit movies, overall, though: they don't get me as emotional as the Lord of the Rings, and they don't fill me with that same inspiration, but they are beautiful films, and the acting is superb, I can forgive little things like Bard's annoying kids, or some of the more out-there Dwarves (looking at you, Ori!). I loved everything in DoS except for the fact that it didn't really work well as a film. BoFA was awesome, and Thorin's death is a touching scene, straight out of the book. I wish some things were different, but I can't ever hate or even dislike the Hobbit movies. And I'm also still in love with Tauriel and Galadriel, so there's that, too…
"Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would not have come, had I known the danger of light and joy. Now I have taken my worst wound in this parting, even if I were to go this night straight to the Dark Lord."
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Silverlode
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 27 2018, 7:15pm
Post #12 of 40
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If you get a chance to try that...
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Tell us how it goes. I'd be interested to hear what perspectives it changes or confirms to see them all together. These days the best I can manage is consecutive days, which still maintains the separation too much to feel truly continuous.
Silverlode Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known.
(This post was edited by Silverlode on Oct 27 2018, 8:00pm)
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Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea
Oct 27 2018, 7:48pm
Post #13 of 40
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It's so much harder as you get older, lol.
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The only time I was able to do a full viewing of LotR was shortly after the Theatrical Cut of RotK came out on DVD in Summer '04 (so it wasn't even the full Extended viewing). I had the benefit of being on summer vacation from college and a tolerant mother (and a dad at work ). Nowadays, the option only exists on the weekend, and having an empty house for an entire day seems nearly impossible. Still, when an opportunity arises, I will pounce on it.
"The danger with any movie that does as well as this one does is that the amount of money it's making and the number of awards that it's got becomes almost more important than the movie itself in people's minds. I look at that as, in a sense, being very much like the Ring, and its effect on people. You know, you can kind of forget what we were doing, if you get too wrapped up in that." - Viggo Mortensen
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Silverlode
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 27 2018, 8:08pm
Post #14 of 40
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I did Trilogy Tuesday for LOTR, which was a great experience, but I never replicated that at home. And now I just don't have the stamina to sit and watch for so many hours straight anymore. Maybe I could manage AUJ one day and the other two the next, if I found a clear day.
Silverlode Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known.
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Thor 'n' Oakenshield
Rohan
Oct 27 2018, 11:16pm
Post #15 of 40
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I got the chance to watch all 6 back in September, back-to-back, and I always have the stamina. My sister does the same thing, annually. These movies never grow old.
"Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would not have come, had I known the danger of light and joy. Now I have taken my worst wound in this parting, even if I were to go this night straight to the Dark Lord."
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Silverlode
Forum Admin
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Oct 28 2018, 12:27am
Post #16 of 40
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The movies may not grow old...
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but we do. 17 years of water under the bridge can make a difference. But I'm glad you and your sister can do it. Enjoy!
Silverlode Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known.
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Thor 'n' Oakenshield
Rohan
Oct 28 2018, 12:46am
Post #17 of 40
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17 years from now I'll probably be saying the same thing!
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But for now I'm gonna savor every moment I've got haha
"Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would not have come, had I known the danger of light and joy. Now I have taken my worst wound in this parting, even if I were to go this night straight to the Dark Lord."
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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Oct 28 2018, 7:34pm
Post #18 of 40
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That's one change from the book I really appreciated
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Overall the Dwarves in the book aren't terribly well-developed, even Thorin. I love that PJ tried to give each Dwarf a personality and a purpose within the Company (Gloin the banker, Oin the medic, Dwalin the bodyguard, etc). It is sad that he couldn't keep that up throughout the trilogy, but 13 is a really big ensemble. But Thorin, yeah, I think Richard really owned the part. You could just see the problems developing into full-blown madness, which made his change of heart and sacrifice all the more tragic. And the friendship that developed between him and Bilbo, well, I don't think that was anywhere in the book; granted, maybe I'm just not that observant, but I think the movies really emphasized the long-term effect it had on Bilbo.
I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies - this is me! from The Greatest Showman
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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Oct 28 2018, 7:44pm
Post #19 of 40
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but you'd have to stay up all night to watch all six movies together. I've watched the LoTR trilogy in one day (took over 12 hrs), and the Hobbit trilogy in one day (which takes nearly as long). But another thing I've done is watch DoS, BOT5A and Fellowship in one day. The reason being you have Thorin's promise to the people of Laketown (all will share in the gold), Smaug's attack & death (which is great uninterrupted), and Thorin giving Bilbo the shirt, which is mentioned by Gandalf in Fellowship. It's kind of a mini-marathon, and an interesting perspective.
I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies - this is me! from The Greatest Showman
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Silverlode
Forum Admin
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Oct 28 2018, 11:13pm
Post #20 of 40
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That's an interesting way to do it...
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To get the transition from one to the next. Did you find it at all distracting or jarring to jump straight from the Bilbo/Frodo bookend to the opening of FOTR with Ian Holm and the younger Elijah Wood?
Silverlode Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known.
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Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea
Oct 29 2018, 4:02am
Post #21 of 40
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...that I, personally, would find the Hobbit-LotR marathon fulfilling. I understand the inclination to do it, but the two trilogies (or films, since we're speaking of single-sitting marathons) are such separate entities for me, that I prefer to keep them that way. I am still keen to find a way to do the Hobbit in one go, however. Since that won't happen for some time, I've taken another route to give me a single-Hobbit experience. I've made a playlist of all three of Howard's scores, excising certain tracks (the first two songs and some bonus tracks) to create a cohesive, non-stop score presentation. I'm actually listening to it now (I past from AUJ into DoS about 20 minutes ago). It's an extremely pleasurable listening experience, I must say.
"The danger with any movie that does as well as this one does is that the amount of money it's making and the number of awards that it's got becomes almost more important than the movie itself in people's minds. I look at that as, in a sense, being very much like the Ring, and its effect on people. You know, you can kind of forget what we were doing, if you get too wrapped up in that." - Viggo Mortensen
(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Oct 29 2018, 4:02am)
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Chen G.
Gondor
Oct 29 2018, 9:53am
Post #22 of 40
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but you'd have to stay up all night to watch all six movies together. I've watched the LoTR trilogy in one day (took over 12 hrs), and the Hobbit trilogy in one day (which takes nearly as long). But another thing I've done is watch DoS, BOT5A and Fellowship in one day. The reason being you have Thorin's promise to the people of Laketown (all will share in the gold), Smaug's attack & death (which is great uninterrupted), and Thorin giving Bilbo the shirt, which is mentioned by Gandalf in Fellowship. It's kind of a mini-marathon, and an interesting perspective. I tried watching all six. I gave up quite early into the Two Towers, where I was just so exhausted it turned into a chore more than a delight. This isn't like, say, a Star Wars marathon: these movies are much more serious and weighty, and therefore deplete the audience (in a good way) much more quickly. And yes, everything between The Desolation of Smaug to The Fellowship of the Ring (or even The Two Towers) forms a nice continuous flow. Inevitably, due to the cliffhanger ending of The Desolation of Smaug and the in medias res opening of The Battle of the Five Armies. Because the latter ends on a somewhat depressing note, I always finish watching it with a desire to watch The Fellowship of the Ring.
Did you find it at all distracting or jarring to jump straight from the Bilbo/Frodo bookend to the opening of FOTR with Ian Holm and the younger Elijah Wood? There are almost nine hours of cinema between the two bookends of the framework device, so it doesn't tend to register in one's mind like that. I'm sure we'll also get a revised edition that makes the transition all the smoother. I've come to really appreciate this framing device, recently. When you watch the final scene of The Battle of the Five Armies a second time you realize the reason Bilbo is staring at the Ring the way he does is that he just had his tantrum after not finding it (which we see in The Fellowship of the Ring). Nice non-linear touch!
(This post was edited by Chen G. on Oct 29 2018, 10:07am)
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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Oct 29 2018, 3:39pm
Post #23 of 40
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They did a pretty good job making Elijah look the same as he did in Fellowship. But to be honest, I often skip that scene with Elijah in AUJ because it really doesn't add anything to the story. I get that it ties AUJ to FoTR, but I'd rather get to that "Good morning" scene.
I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies - this is me! from The Greatest Showman
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Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Oct 29 2018, 3:43pm
Post #24 of 40
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I didn't really do too well, either. I fell asleep in the middle of FoTR, & ended up watching TTT and RoTK the next day. But I'm sure I'll cover all six movies over Thanksgiving, giving myself 2 or 3 days to space them out! I'll save the Star Wars marathon for Christmas!
I'm not scared to be seen, I make no apologies - this is me! from The Greatest Showman
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Thor 'n' Oakenshield
Rohan
Oct 29 2018, 3:55pm
Post #25 of 40
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You skip the scene with Frodo???
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Wow, I love that scene: it gives you such a charming little snapshot, as it were, of a Frodo completely untouched by fear and hurt. I love the "Good Morning" scene too, of course, but I love Frodo even more.
"Torment in the dark was the danger that I feared, and it did not hold me back. But I would not have come, had I known the danger of light and joy. Now I have taken my worst wound in this parting, even if I were to go this night straight to the Dark Lord."
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