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re: Official Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug Review Thread (spoilers)
Posted on 12/22/13 at 2:38 pm to RollTide1987
Posted on 12/22/13 at 2:38 pm to RollTide1987
quote:
The only really big bright spot was Benedict Cumberbatch's vocal performance as Smaug. He stole the show IMHO.
"Come now......don't be shy."
1
Posted on 12/22/13 at 4:59 pm to Volvagia
Where to begin?
Firstly, I will say that I thought the first movie dragged a bit and the CGI was over the top. On a second viewing, however, I enjoyed it more.
After the first viewing of DOS, I must agree with a few of the people so far that say it dragged out way too long. I had high hopes back in the pre-production days that the movie would do the book justice like the LOTR movies, but so far this series feels like a money grab.
The orcs are just out of hand. It's ridiculous. The endless action scenes including them only add minutes and no storyline. I agree with the previous poster about the fact they seem much larger and all this attacking during day is incongruent with the Uruk-Hai lineage.
There was so much cool stuff happening this movie that there was really no need to have all the non-stop orc action. Mirkwood was pretty well done. They should have spent a little more time developing the barrel escape instead of making it seem like they were only captured for an hour.
The orcs attacking Laketown was stupid. The whole build up for this movie was to see Smaug. It definitely was the best part of the movie, but I didn't like some of the over the top action with the dwarves. I can understand why PJ included the dwarves because he needed to make the scene with Smaug last longer than it does in the book, especially when you account for how long it took to get there.
My problem overall is the filler that adds nothing to the story and the clear ability to have made this into two very solid movies on par with LOTR rather than three that will likely fall short of any of the individual LOTR films.
But, maybe I'll like it better next time I see it. I can't imagine trying to sit through whatever he had to put into the last one to hit the 3 hr time he seems to love.
Firstly, I will say that I thought the first movie dragged a bit and the CGI was over the top. On a second viewing, however, I enjoyed it more.
After the first viewing of DOS, I must agree with a few of the people so far that say it dragged out way too long. I had high hopes back in the pre-production days that the movie would do the book justice like the LOTR movies, but so far this series feels like a money grab.
The orcs are just out of hand. It's ridiculous. The endless action scenes including them only add minutes and no storyline. I agree with the previous poster about the fact they seem much larger and all this attacking during day is incongruent with the Uruk-Hai lineage.
There was so much cool stuff happening this movie that there was really no need to have all the non-stop orc action. Mirkwood was pretty well done. They should have spent a little more time developing the barrel escape instead of making it seem like they were only captured for an hour.
The orcs attacking Laketown was stupid. The whole build up for this movie was to see Smaug. It definitely was the best part of the movie, but I didn't like some of the over the top action with the dwarves. I can understand why PJ included the dwarves because he needed to make the scene with Smaug last longer than it does in the book, especially when you account for how long it took to get there.
My problem overall is the filler that adds nothing to the story and the clear ability to have made this into two very solid movies on par with LOTR rather than three that will likely fall short of any of the individual LOTR films.
But, maybe I'll like it better next time I see it. I can't imagine trying to sit through whatever he had to put into the last one to hit the 3 hr time he seems to love.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 6:20 pm to 0jersey
Also, regardless if the viewers have read the book or not I think we can all agree on this part.
At the beginning of the first movie Thorin was talking to Balin about he'd take that company of dwarves over any army from the Iron Hills because they all volunteered to be on the adventure. So it sounds like there should be some kind of deep bond or attachment or sentiment towards each other.
Not only does Thorin say this at the beginning but then they go through all these trials and tribulations together and when they are finally about to leave Laketown for the mountain Thorin is willing to leave Bilfur behind because he overslept? Really?
At the beginning of the first movie Thorin was talking to Balin about he'd take that company of dwarves over any army from the Iron Hills because they all volunteered to be on the adventure. So it sounds like there should be some kind of deep bond or attachment or sentiment towards each other.
Not only does Thorin say this at the beginning but then they go through all these trials and tribulations together and when they are finally about to leave Laketown for the mountain Thorin is willing to leave Bilfur behind because he overslept? Really?
Posted on 12/22/13 at 6:47 pm to theGarnetWay
I watched the movie and really enjoyed it.
Smaug was phenomenal.
The Barrel scene was a hoot.
The new love interest is just fine.
The Orcs attacking Laketown was overdone, IMHO.
It dragged in parts but I really enjoyed the viewing and feel like the 3rd installment can be very good.
Some people feel the need to criticize in order to seem edgy. SMH
*I thought some of the LOTR trilogy dragged too.
Smaug was phenomenal.
The Barrel scene was a hoot.
The new love interest is just fine.
The Orcs attacking Laketown was overdone, IMHO.
It dragged in parts but I really enjoyed the viewing and feel like the 3rd installment can be very good.
Some people feel the need to criticize in order to seem edgy. SMH
*I thought some of the LOTR trilogy dragged too.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 11:02 am to theGarnetWay
quote:
Not only does Thorin say this at the beginning but then they go through all these trials and tribulations together and when they are finally about to leave Laketown for the mountain Thorin is willing to leave Bilfur behind because he overslept?
Missed the part about the corruption of the Arkenstone?
Posted on 12/23/13 at 11:53 am to Volvagia
There's a theory among some fans that the Arkenstone was actually one of the silmarils (specifically the one Maedhros threw into the fiery chasm in the earth along with himself.)
I personally don't think it is, otherwise Tolkien would've referenced it somewhere (or at least given clues.). But some of the theories seem plausible.
I personally don't think it is, otherwise Tolkien would've referenced it somewhere (or at least given clues.). But some of the theories seem plausible.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 12:20 pm to PillageUrVillage
As a non-book reader, I'm curious why Kili has mostly human-like facial features.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 12:42 pm to Oizers
Probably Peter Jackson taking liberties again. 
Speaking of dwarfly appearances, wasn't Thorin's clan known as the "long beards"? Yeah, that is a bit nit picky. Hoping I get to go see the movie this week.
Speaking of dwarfly appearances, wasn't Thorin's clan known as the "long beards"? Yeah, that is a bit nit picky. Hoping I get to go see the movie this week.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 1:51 pm to Oizers
If I remember correctly, Kili and Fili were very young and their beards haven't set in yet. Fili, I believe is slightly older. His character in the movie has a very short beard. It may not seem like it, but Jackson pays attention to small detail like that.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 2:14 pm to 0jersey
quote:
My problem overall is the filler that adds nothing to the story and the clear ability to have made this into two very solid movies on par with LOTR rather than three that will likely fall short of any of the individual LOTR films.
Nail on head. A pure money grab, plain and simple, with an overall product that suffers as a result.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 2:23 pm to Rickety Cricket
I saw this over the weekend, and liked it. I was struggling to stay awake for the last half hour or so though (I was fricking exhausted), so I need to catch it again to see if I really missed anything (though I don't think I missed much).
Glad to see Evangeline Lilly still looks fly.
Glad to see Evangeline Lilly still looks fly.
This post was edited on 12/23/13 at 2:24 pm
Posted on 12/23/13 at 2:41 pm to CocomoLSU
I enjoyed the movie but I think there is no denying it is a big step below LOTR.
The action scenes for whatever reason just really seem weak compared with LOTR. I also feel like the characters haven't made the connection with the audience like in LOTR. I don't really see myself rooting for any particular character or caring about what happens to them.
The action scenes for whatever reason just really seem weak compared with LOTR. I also feel like the characters haven't made the connection with the audience like in LOTR. I don't really see myself rooting for any particular character or caring about what happens to them.
This post was edited on 12/23/13 at 2:59 pm
Posted on 12/23/13 at 3:21 pm to hiltacular
quote:
but I think there is no denying it is a big step below LOTR.
Why is that a bad thing?
I realize that the comparisons will be there, but IMO LotR is the #1 best trilogy of all time. Just because this one falls short (even if it is way short) isn't really a slight to The Hobbit films.
It doesn't have to be as good as LotR...that was almost an impossible task anyway (provided that's what they set out to make, which I highly doubt).
Posted on 12/23/13 at 3:33 pm to CocomoLSU
I don't think it's a bad thing, simply an observation that I think most would agree with.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 3:51 pm to hiltacular
LOTR is by far the bigger/grander story. The Hobbit only really has a few significant events. A small piece of an enormous puzzle.
I can never look at a Tolkien story/book/movie (with very few exceptions) as a stand-alone.
I can never look at a Tolkien story/book/movie (with very few exceptions) as a stand-alone.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 3:54 pm to hiltacular
quote:
simply an observation that I think most would agree with.
Sure.
I'd assume that most would've assumed these weren't gonna be as good as LotR either...especially when they pushed it from two to three movies.
I may have to read this thread Thursday when I'm back at work and see what people thought of it. I thought it was solid, but I am fairly easily entertained when it comes to movies like this.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 5:04 pm to CocomoLSU
ok I know I'm a week late but I've been out of the country for a week.
this is purely a transition movie so without the 3rd movie it is difficult to judge this movie.
but let's look at this movie in isolation (which I think is problematic)
First I felt this was lacking some things I felt there are many things they could have done better. The forced elf dwarf relationship is stupid it was stupid. they got through kirkwood to quick they spend a-lot of time there in the book and it was to quick. Also they could have built the ring even more because if I remember the book correctly Bilbo fought off the spiders without the help of the elves but I guess that was a better way to introduce the woodland elves so its passable.
I enjoyed lake town I thought it was very good fit the story line of the movie and it was one of the better moments of the movie.
Smaug was simply amazing the CGI surrounding it was one of the best of all 5 Tolkien universe movies. I'm really excited to see what he looks like in the third movie.
I was disappointed he didn't die in this movie I was expecting it (but also not expecting it) when they saw the city and they said that it was the desolation of smaug right then I knew he wouldn't die, but if they killed him there would be nothing to happen in the 3rd so its good i guess.
I was disappointed the dwarfs had so much interaction with smug to different than the book, but I don't mind it I don't like to compare books to movies.
anyway pretty good movie could have been better 7.5/10
this is purely a transition movie so without the 3rd movie it is difficult to judge this movie.
but let's look at this movie in isolation (which I think is problematic)
First I felt this was lacking some things I felt there are many things they could have done better. The forced elf dwarf relationship is stupid it was stupid. they got through kirkwood to quick they spend a-lot of time there in the book and it was to quick. Also they could have built the ring even more because if I remember the book correctly Bilbo fought off the spiders without the help of the elves but I guess that was a better way to introduce the woodland elves so its passable.
I enjoyed lake town I thought it was very good fit the story line of the movie and it was one of the better moments of the movie.
Smaug was simply amazing the CGI surrounding it was one of the best of all 5 Tolkien universe movies. I'm really excited to see what he looks like in the third movie.
I was disappointed he didn't die in this movie I was expecting it (but also not expecting it) when they saw the city and they said that it was the desolation of smaug right then I knew he wouldn't die, but if they killed him there would be nothing to happen in the 3rd so its good i guess.
I was disappointed the dwarfs had so much interaction with smug to different than the book, but I don't mind it I don't like to compare books to movies.
anyway pretty good movie could have been better 7.5/10
Posted on 12/23/13 at 5:05 pm to Sid in Lakeshore
quote:
The Orcs attacking Laketown was overdone, IMHO.
they took the pale orc and his companions to far in this movie, even if you don't factor in the fact that they didn't do much in the book.
Posted on 12/23/13 at 5:17 pm to Breesus
quote:
If you expected anything else or were disappointed in how he handled that you're an idiot. You knew it was going to be a trilogy and you knew he wasn't going to do a shot for shot remake of the book. If that's what you're upset about why did you even see the move? Nitpicking critic douches.
there was a guy in my group who went to see the movie who bashed it. Saying things like the only thing that he took from the book was that there was bilbo and dwarfs
I should have pulled over and told him to walk home
I only kid. Posted on 12/23/13 at 6:09 pm to Volvagia
quote:
Missed the part about the corruption of the Arkenstone?
No I remember that. And from that point of view I can understand Thorin's desire to get to the mountain no matter what. With that said if his desire to get that stone was truly that strong they sure as hell gave up and walked away from the back door as soon as the sun went down. I know they thought as soon as Durin's Day ended that was it. But they spent all that time getting there, door doesn't open, and leave 30 seconds later.
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