Haven't read all 8 pages so I'm going in unbiased here. I went in expecting to like it. Enjoyed all of the LOTR films, and I didn't read The Hobbit. Not to go all OT Baller on you, but when I got my 80" TV I rewatched the LOTR movies countless times in HD for the sheer spectacle of it. So I REALLY expected to love The Hobbit in 3D IMAX. I was not disappointed by the viewing experience, but overall I'd give the movie about a 7/10. The whole premise of getting Bilbo to join the quest just seemed unsubstantiated. He doesn't appear to really know crap about Gandalf, and Gandalf never really gives any indication of why Bilbo would be suited to the task. I started out excited, glad to see some old characters introduced quickly, then they lost me with the "dwarves invade Bilbo's house" scene. It dragged on far too long and I didn't find it entertaining at all.
As far as the majority of the movie, the first thing that came to mind was the epic scene in Clerks 2 when Randal describes the LOTR movies. What was The Hobbit about? Walking. It was a long walk to give an excuse to throw in a few effects-laden action scenes.
One thing REALLY bothered me about the dwarves, and that was the inconsistency in their appearance. In general, the hobbits look like hobbits, the orcs look like orcs, the goblins look like goblins, the wizards look like wizards, the elves look like elves...and the dwarves virtually all look different. If you didn't show their size, I couldn't pick more than a half dozen dwarves out of a lineup. Primarily, Thorin did not look dwarf-like at all. It's like they tried to make him look like a shorter Aragorn-type character. Heroic, on the short side, but in no way dwarf-like.
I understand they did a lot of work with Andy Serkis in adding more sensors to increase the number of responsive facial muscles in Gollum to make him appear more life-like. Brilliant work by Serkis, as expected, but I would rather have seen them try to make the eyes more life-like and not so cartoonish.
Another thing that really bothered me was that, when all seems lost, the giant eagles swoop in to save everyone. Hey Gandalf, before we hopped on these ponies for the 500 mile journey, why the f**k didn't you mention you had a flock of giant eagles at your beck and call??? And eagles...if you were going to fly us to safety, in clear view of our mountain destination that is now still 100 miles away, couldn't you have just dropped us off at THAT mountain??? WTF???
I already know the answer to that: we have to stretch a 300 page book out into 9 hours of screen time.
All of that being said, I will most certainly watch it again multiple times on blu-ray or cable. And I will by all means watch the next 2. Better than most popcorn fare, but just a bit less than I expected.

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Posted by Fearthehat0307

Dallas, TX

Member since Dec 2007

65256 posts

Posted on 1/4/13 at 6:33 pm to LsUCIFER

quote:
LsUCIFER

i agree with a lot that you said but some of your criticisms are answered in the book. Gandalf chooses bilbo because of some prophecy it was mentioned briefly on the last page of the book.
The eagles helped at the end because the hate the orcs not because they are friends with the dwarves and want to help them on their journey. Also I think they were afraid to go to the mountain or didn't want to risk their lives or some shite like that. not 100% sure on that situation but i know a reason was given

eta: also you will receive a scolding from cp3 for saying anything negative about the movie

This post was edited on 1/4/13 at 6:34 pm

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Posted by iwyLSUiwy

I'm your huckleberry

Member since Apr 2008

34828 posts

Posted on 1/4/13 at 10:48 pm to LsUCIFER

quote:
I didn't read The Hobbit

That's the issue with most of your questions. Like...

quote:
The whole premise of getting Bilbo to join the quest just seemed unsubstantiated. He doesn't appear to really know crap about Gandalf, and Gandalf never really gives any indication of why Bilbo would be suited to the task.

The best answer I could give I guess is that Tooks family line was the most adventurest of the Hobbits. Hinted at that when Gandalf talked about his family member knocking somebody's head off in battle. Hobbits aren't adventurous, but if any, the Tooks were. I swear I'm not a nerd on this stuff, though this thread is making me question that, but Bilbos mom was a Took, his dad was a Baggins.

quote:
then they lost me with the "dwarves invade Bilbo's house" scene. It dragged on far too long and I didn't find it entertaining at all.

Most that read the book appreciated this scene. Especially the songs. The Hobbits entering the house and dinner and up until him chasing after the crew to join, was almost exactly the same as it was in the book.

quote:
One thing REALLY bothered me about the dwarves, and that was the inconsistency in their appearance. In general, the hobbits look like hobbits, the orcs look like orcs, the goblins look like goblins, the wizards look like wizards, the elves look like elves...and the dwarves virtually all look different. If you didn't show their size, I couldn't pick more than a half dozen dwarves out of a lineup. Primarily, Thorin did not look dwarf-like at all. It's like they tried to make him look like a shorter Aragorn-type character. Heroic, on the short side, but in no way dwarf-like.

It's a movie though with a TON of main side characters. If that makes sense. They have to be different. There are so many of them it's hard to recognize them and would be impossible without them looking different.

quote:
Another thing that really bothered me was that, when all seems lost, the giant eagles swoop in to save everyone. Hey Gandalf, before we hopped on these ponies for the 500 mile journey, why the f**k didn't you mention you had a flock of giant eagles at your beck and call??? And eagles...if you were going to fly us to safety, in clear view of our mountain destination that is now still 100 miles away, couldn't you have just dropped us off at THAT mountain??? WTF???

Again, the book is your friend. Couldn't you ask the same question with LOTR, ROTK? Eagle only fly in certain area bc obviously they aren't invincible and have the danger of being killed in other areas.

quote:
I already know the answer to that: we have to stretch a 300 page book out into 9 hours of screen time

Actually, you'd have to take that up with Tolkien. And he's dead. So... He was a true genius in every sense of the word. So even if you do run into him, don't take it up with bc it might not go well with you. Bc he was a genius AND a badass.