The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey
Could Peter Jackson do it? Return to Middle Earth with a different story all these years later and keep the integrity and feel of LOTR without mucking it up?
If you are a fan, then yes, success! To a critic, The Hobbit isn't perfect. I can see both sides but as a fan, I was happy.
Everything ties in. The Hobbit is a shorter, lighter book and centers around Bilbo and his adventure. To tie this in with events 60 years later and make for a 6 part movie, the writers turned to side events in Tolkien writing to integrate back stories with The Hobbit. It worked. The characters in The Hobbit had to be made more likable for the audience to cheer them on. The dwarves in the book were lacking charm and grace so in the movie version they are more well rounded characters rather than burping fools. The casting for Bilbo and Thorin was perfect and add in Gollum and The Hobbit had a central and intriguing group of fighters and foes.
On the flip side, at nearly 3 hours, what on earth could be left to go in an extended version DVD? I felt like we were watching everything that could have possibly be filmed go into the first movie. Cut out 30 minutes and the story would still be told, more people would go see it and then we'd be happy watching the extra 30 minutes of walking about New Zealand at home.
I saw the normal 2D version and liked it. Later I hope to see the IMAX HD version and compare. For now, go see The Hobbit. It's better on the big screen and more fun with friends!
If you are a fan, then yes, success! To a critic, The Hobbit isn't perfect. I can see both sides but as a fan, I was happy.
Everything ties in. The Hobbit is a shorter, lighter book and centers around Bilbo and his adventure. To tie this in with events 60 years later and make for a 6 part movie, the writers turned to side events in Tolkien writing to integrate back stories with The Hobbit. It worked. The characters in The Hobbit had to be made more likable for the audience to cheer them on. The dwarves in the book were lacking charm and grace so in the movie version they are more well rounded characters rather than burping fools. The casting for Bilbo and Thorin was perfect and add in Gollum and The Hobbit had a central and intriguing group of fighters and foes.
On the flip side, at nearly 3 hours, what on earth could be left to go in an extended version DVD? I felt like we were watching everything that could have possibly be filmed go into the first movie. Cut out 30 minutes and the story would still be told, more people would go see it and then we'd be happy watching the extra 30 minutes of walking about New Zealand at home.
I saw the normal 2D version and liked it. Later I hope to see the IMAX HD version and compare. For now, go see The Hobbit. It's better on the big screen and more fun with friends!
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