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Website homepage → Tolkien Forums → Films and Games → 2012 ~ "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey" ~ +, -, and commentaries
 

Topic: 2012 ~ "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey" ~ +, -, and commentaries

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Bear
Lord Elrond of Rivendell - Rank 9
Status: Offline
Posts: 2959
Date: Dec 15, 2012
2012 ~ "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey" ~ +, -, and commentaries
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My Friends,

I have definitely had an earful of comments on Peter Jackson's film; "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey."
And I am holding back my own opinions until I have seen the film for myself ... but I just left a few friends at the local coffee shop and they are not holding back ... there were shouts, cheers, and jeers!  I am talking about twenty people in a small Midwest American town ... we are talking more Shire-like than Hollywood ... but these young folks (age range 18 to 35) were serious about this movie ...

So don't you hold back ... tell us what you think!



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Felagund
Elf of Beleriand - Rank 2
Status: Offline
Posts: 70
Date: Dec 16, 2012
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In short: I loved it. There were some things I wish they did differently, but they aren't big. I have only seen it once, so there may be some things I have forgotten already. Well, spoiler warning.

As a whole, they were quite true to the book in my opinion. Much more so than I thought they would be, and they even included a lot of background history from The Silmarillion, with many The Lord of The Rings references as well, which were quite funny.

What I liked the most was the fact that they included The White Council (I know, not true to the book), but I honestly believe this was an awesome crossover from The Hobbit to LoTR; merely to explain to the viewer how, and why things are as they are. They actually use the word "Istari" for the wizards, and earlier in the film Gandalf actually explains that there are five of the Istari in Middle-Earth, and indirectly telling the viewer that they are here in Middle-Earth to help the Peoples of Middle-Earth (at least, that's the impression I got).

In The White Council they also discuss The Necromancer (as is explained in the appendices). I think this helps the "average" viewer a lot; it brings new information about Sauron's return and explains how it all really began (well, it really began long before the events in The Hobbit, but you know, surface-wise at least...)

There are things I didn't like much, however. The "Riddles in the dark" scene could be longer, but still, it was very well done. Gollum's appearance is just as frightening (or even more so), as in The Lord of The Rings. I'm not so sure about the goblins in the Misty Mountains either, to be honest. I had pictured it a little different; not as huge as they picture it in the film, and if I recall correctly, the whole place was much darker, more grim, and more... cramped, especially the hallways. One of the most exciting chapters in the book is where Bilbo follows Gollum around in the dark and small hallways, but in the film we see very little of that.

The music was truly magnificent as well. Over the misty mountains cold gave me goosebumps all over.

 

Might add more later, as I can't recall much else mentionworthy at the moment.

 



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Laurelin
Haldir of Lorien - Rank 6
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Posts: 824
Date: Dec 16, 2012
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I just got back from seeing the movie with some of my family. I'll reserve my judgement until more here have seen it. However, I will say that my two compatriots enjoyed it on the whole, but felt that there was too many fighting scenes and that they, the fight scenes, lasted too long.



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Laurelin
Haldir of Lorien - Rank 6
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Posts: 824
Date: Dec 16, 2012
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I just saw Bear's post saying don't hold back. I'll get back into it tomorrow. I'm standing at a computer at a borrowed computer, so more later...

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Laurelin
Haldir of Lorien - Rank 6
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Posts: 824
Date: Dec 18, 2012
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Well, here's a more complete answer to how I felt about the movie. THERE MAY BE SPOILERS!!!!! (then again, we all know what happens in the tale)

Had I not read the Hobbit, I think I would have enjoyed the movie much more. It was decent as a movie, but as an adaptation of Tolkien's work, it was ok. Once again, too many things were changed that did not need to be changed. Meaning, they didn't add anything to the story, and in my view, actually took away from the story. And, of course, PJ had to Hollywood-ize things too much for my taste. One odd thing was they changed how Bilbo found the ring. Meaning they changed it from the prologue filmed in FOTR. Not sure what that was about.

On the plus side was the back story from the appendices. I liked the riddle scene a lot, but it definitely could have been longer. I think if they'd taken away some of the fight scenes and added to the riddle scene or others, it would have been great. Another nice things was some of the songs were included and actually sung. Visually it's just like the other movies with beautiful shots and such.

If folks want to know more of my opinions I'll add on. I don't want to go into it too deeply. All in all it was just ok in my opinion. But that won't stop me from seeing the next two. Just don't spend full price. Go to a matinee.

Oh, and don't bother with the 3D. It's a waste of money.



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Glorfindel
Anarion, Son of Elendil - rank 8
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Posts: 2154
Date: Dec 19, 2012
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I'm seeing it tomorrow. Thanks for the 3D tip Laurelin!

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Utúlie'n  aurë!  Aiya  Eldalië  ar  Atanatári,  utúlie'n  aurë! 
Auta  i  lómë! 
Aurë entuluva!
FoalOfATook
Peoples of Beleriand - Rank 1
Status: Offline
Posts: 42
Date: Dec 19, 2012
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I think it as a fantastic movie on the whole. My favorite thing about it was the bits and pieces they incorporated from the Fellowship of the Ring, it gave the story much more depth and help to give a strong link to the LOTR. I have conflicting feelings about the use of CGI for the goblins though, it certainly allowed them greater freedom in creating characters such as the goblin king but for whatever reason it kept poking at my suspension of disbelief throughout the movie. Aside from that it was a superb movie, so hurry! Go see it!

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Glorfindel
Anarion, Son of Elendil - rank 8
Status: Offline
Posts: 2154
Date: Dec 21, 2012
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Ok, I've watched it.

On the plus side it was a good film overall. Effects were good, music not bad, plenty of action etc.

On the negative side there were some needless changes to the lore. Plus a few silly additions such as that ridiculous Goblin-king and even worse the stone giants!

Nevertheless I do look forward to the next film.

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Utúlie'n  aurë!  Aiya  Eldalië  ar  Atanatári,  utúlie'n  aurë! 
Auta  i  lómë! 
Aurë entuluva!
John Wain
Soldier of Beleriand - Rank 3
Status: Offline
Posts: 121
Date: May 26, 2017
2012 ~
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As I was saying a little while ago in the thread for the 3rd Hobbit film, I found this adaptation so-and-so. I couldn't have expected more from Peter Jackson, I guess. He thinks in terms of 'how much money can I get with this?' and it shows, but as a standalone film it was watchable.

What I wanted to point out is the work that someone did to cut the three bloated films into a single 4-hour picture. I have not yet seen it, but I daresay it will appeal to me when I do, from what I read in his description.

If you did not see it either, here is the link to his webpage, where you can also find two torrent links that will get you the movie. Quality is obviously somewhat lower than a DVD, but it's OK.

tolkieneditor.wordpress.com/

If you did see this version, what are your thoughts? Is the cut good, or is it too presumptuous on the part of the editor? I'd love to hear opinions. I'll add mine once I have a basis for comparison (and this means rewatching everything, not an easy task).

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Star
Being lies with Eru - Rank 1
Status: Offline
Posts: 10
Date: May 28, 2017
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I personally felt that The Hobbit films suffered from the pointless throwbacks (throw-forwards?) to the Lord of the Rings movies. What was new and amazing in LotR felt forced in The Hobbit, although I must say An Unexpected Journey is probably the least worst film of the lot. Riddles in the Dark was a fantastic scene.

John, I have not seen the edited version, but I am quite willing to believe that it is truer to the book than the three-headed monster Peter Jackson seems to have raised.

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All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost

The old that is strong does not wither

Deep roots are not touched by the frost.

 

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring:

Renewed shall be blade that was broken

The crownless again shall be king.
 
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