The Hobbit

[Kitty279]

Are there any more Tolkien/Hobbit fans out there that would like to talk about the movie? Just returned from watching it and am still drooling

[jaffaninja]

I saw it the other day with some friends and then the rest of my family wanted to see it, so I went with them too. Loved every second of it. Did anyone see it in 48FPS?

[Kitty279]

We did, because at the time we wanted to go, we couldn't get another one, and I am not sure about it yet. There were some scenes where the background looked too much like a matte painting, which shouldn't happen with Weta involved. Not sure if it was the 3D or the 48 fps format, though.

But I totally loved the whole thing. Despite it being nearly three hours, it only felt half as long, and I was so disappointed when the credits started! Totally captivating. Ok, maybe Peter could have cut the battle scenes a little bit, but it was well done, and I love some of the dwarves. Kili in particular. Thorin was great, too. And we got to see more of Bag End!

You know what was creepy? In some moments, when Bilbo showed certain facial expressions, the whole face screamed "Pippin!" at me, and my friend said the same. It's creepy, considering in the book they are both descendants of the Old Took!

It was great to see some of the familiar faces again, too. Not only Gandalf, but Elrond, Galadriel, Frodo as well. And they even got Christopher Lee to play again, despite him declining when the question came up years ago. He's now what - 90? Really amazing!

[jaffaninja]

I agree they could have cut the battle scenes a bit shorter - I'd have liked them to explore the dwarves a bit more. The film seemed to focus on Fili, Kili, Bofur, Balin, and Thorin, and I would have liked to see a little more of the dwarves. I am glad they included all 14 though, it wouldn't have felt right otherwise!

I saw Pippin in Bilbo too! Of course for the first little bit I was distracted from Bilbo because he was being played by Martin Freeman and I had just watched Sherlock the other dya, so I kept seeing John. But Martin did a really good job and I can see why he was Peter's first choice.

I loved the familiar faces too, especially since it's been several years since the Lord of the Rings and yet they don't all look older, especially Galadriel and Frodo. Very good considering this is prequel type thing.

When I went with my family we were lucky enough to be able to see it at the Embassy in Wellignton, where it premiered! I swear all of NZ has gone Hobbit-crazy. There's a giant statue of Gandalf outside a hobbit hole on top of the Embassy, and the airport has gone all hobbit themed - there's even a hobbit plane. In the food court at the airport there's an enormous statue of Gollum reaching for fish.

We also went to the Weta Cave, which is where Weta show the public the sort of stuff they do. They've got things like the contract Bilbo signed, copies of the weapons like Glamdring and Sting, and all sorts of other props they used. It was really amazing.

I can't wait for the next one, I especially want to see how they'll portray Bjorn and Smaug.

[Kitty279]

True, but maybe they will include the others a bit more later on. As Peter admitted, working with 15 main characters at the same time isn't that easy. For the movie-firsters (who don't know the book yet) it's probably easier that way, but of course the ones who can rattle down the dwarves' names from memory it's not enough. I guess that's a difficult balance anyway - how do you satisfy the ones who have basically memorised the book and still keep it understandable for these who never did read it? But as you said, at least they didn't cut some dwarves out, which probably many other directors would have done to save themselves bother and costs.

In any case, I had imagined Thorin to be a bit older, but Richard Armitage was great in that role, and I liked Balin, Fili and Kili. Why have they to die at the end? I already know that I'll end up the same as with the Grey Havens in LotR - in tears.

When Bilbo being played by Martin Freeman distracted you because you know Sherlock, then wait until we come to the Bilbo-Smaugh scenes. Smaug is spoken by Benedict Cumberbatch ...

Oooh, you got to see it at the Embassy? Now I could get a bit jealous! And in the middle of all that crazyness! Yeah, I always got the feeling that all of NZ is one hundred percent behind Peter with these movies. Maybe not so surprising, during the filming of LotR they were the biggest employer in NZ, and they brought with their work tourists and other filmmakers to the country. Glad to know it is appreciated there. Oh, and did you see that safety video for planes Air NZ has running?

Weta Cave is a place where I could leave a fortune. All the great stuff they have ... just clicking thorugh their website leaves me drooling.

It was interesting to see how they extended (dramatised) some scenes a bit, and added some stuff from the Appendices. And while some things played out a bit differently from the books, like the encounter with the trolls, at least it was all there, and admittedly, some of it would probably look a bit strange on screen - that talking wallet, for instance.

When Eagle Air arrived to the rescue, I was a bit upset because I knew already now the movie would be over. Really can't wait for the next part!

[jaffaninja]

I thought Thorin ought to be older too. I mean, he had grey in his hair, sure, but not much... I don't know, it seemed a little off. But yes, Richard Armitage was great in the role. Sylvester made a really good Radagast, too (though the bird poo down his face was perhaps a little too much, even though it was realistic since he has birds in his hair).

Oh no, the Bilbo-Smaug scenes... And the necromancer is also being voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch.

I saw the safety video! 'An Unexpected Briefing'. Air NZ is one of the biggest supporters, I think. But everyone's gone pretty crazy. Normall at this time of year there are these little Chrsitmas banners hanging from the street lights, but now they're Hobbit themed, advertising the movie.

Weta Cave was amazing, but I wish I'd been able to go on the tour (it's limited time only.) They're letting people go into the actual workshop, although only into certasin places because, of course, everything is supposed to be secret.

The talking wallet would have been very strange on-screen, escpecially for people who hadn't read the books. And the bit where Bilbo tries to convince the trolls the dwarves have parasites, and the the dwarves protest until Thorin kicks them and then one of the dwarves announce, 'I've got parasites as big as my arms!' makes me laugh every time.

The other day we went to the place where they filmed Rivendell. It's beautiful there, but it looks really different! Most of Rivendell is computer generated or a set, but there are maps showing you that 'Elrond's house was here' and 'here is the courtyard', etc.

[Kitty279]

Ugh, yes, there's something like 'too realistic'. Radagast certainly won't be nominated for 'sexiest actor in the movie'

Ah yes, a tour through Weta Workshop would be amazing, and I envy the ones who were allowed in or even on set. But I understand why they can't allow it. Oh well, there are always the Appendices with the Making-of on DVD (can't wait for the EE!) and the LotR Exhibition. Went twice already, and if they do one for the Hobbit, I can guarantee you that I'll go again!

These dwarves aren't the brightest, are they? *shakes head* Took them long enough to catch on.

Imladris was the set I loved the most. In one of my books is a picture I fell in love with. Just want to move in! I'd love to see at least the bigature they made of the set, and take as many photos as possible before someone drags me out again!

[ginnyrules27]

I went to see it and when one of the dwarves came on screen, I fell in love with the actor. Which made it uber embarrassing whenever there was a fight scene and my dad looked over to see me muttering 'don't kill the cute dwarf, don't kill the cute dwarf'

I may be a Tolkien geek, but I like my hotties!

(It was one of Thorin's nephew's--Fili I think. The brunette)

[Kitty279]

Yep, the nephew with the lighter hair is Dean O'Gorman as Fili, and the dark-haired is Aidan Turner as Kili. You can have Fili, and I'll take Kili ;D

As a Tolkien geek you should know that they will live to see the Battle of the Five Armies - but not much more, sadly *sniff* I already complained that it's going to be the three hottest dwarves who are going to fall in that battle.

[Dimcairien]

For the most part, I loved the movie. I'm a Tolkien geek and know the Hobbit story fairly well, though it has been several years since I've read the book due to lack of time.

I really liked it how a couple of the songs from the book were included, as well as several chapter titles through dialogue. I absolutely loved the 'riddles in the dark' scene and in my opinion, it's the best scene in the entire movie. On the other hand, there are a couple of scenes such as the troll scene that I wish to forget about because I hated the way they were scripted. All in all, the good outweighed the bad and I'm really looking forward to the next installment in 349 days. And yes, I am keeping track.

I too absolutely loved Kili and Fili and really liked Thorin as well. I know I'm going to ball my eyes out after the Battle of the Five Armies. I love Martin Freeman as an actor though I did keep seeing John Watson and Arthur Dent while watching the movie. I cannot wait for the Bilbo-Smaug scene though as I know that will be really good.

[Kitty279]

There will be something in each movie we don't agree with, that's clear, but it was never enough to really put me off with Peter Jackson's version of Middle-earth. Actually, when I saw FotR the first time, I was speechless - seeing my experiences with movies made from books, I had feared what he made of the story, and despite some changes, it was so much more true to the book than I had ever expected. So I was happy how little he had overall changed around. It could have been so much worse.

What always amazed me - with LotR and now the Hobbit - is the love for details, all the little details on costumes, weapons, props. They went far beyond what most others would have done, IMO, and it's something I appreciate very much. That alone is worth a few more watchings - the first times, you are more concentrated on the story itself, and when you know what is coming, you can concentrate more on the background, on costumes and everything. And I know my pile of books is growing quite a bit over the next couple years, too - I need certain books to the movies. One I have already (by Brian Sibley), and the one by David Falconer is on its way

[ginnyrules27]

Dec 29, 2012 2:07:22 GMT -5 Kitty279 said:

Yep, the nephew with the lighter hair is Dean O'Gorman as Fili, and the dark-haired is Aidan Turner as Kili. You can have Fili, and I'll take Kili ;D

As a Tolkien geek you should know that they will live to see the Battle of the Five Armies - but not much more, sadly *sniff* I already complained that it's going to be the three hottest dwarves who are going to fall in that battle.

I was 10 when I last read the Lord of the Rings, and my dad read me the Hobbit.

Was I the only one to be amazed at the lack of aging by the man who played Frodo? I mean, he looks just as he did in the LOTR trilogy. The man must have the Ring!

Also, couldn't Peter Jackson have kept the camera on the twin dwarves more often? I never want to see that fat dwarf eat for as long as I live.

[Nahara46]

I've never read the books, nor really seen the other movies (Well, I technically have, but I wasn't paying close attention) so, this is the first LOTR thing I've experiences. I loved it! (Though, as I'm a huge fan of Sherlock, which Martin Freeman is John in, I kept thinking about it and saying under my breath "Lockyyyy, Come save johnny already!") I think it's converted me, and I have plans to read the books soon.

[Kitty279]

Ginny, that has been a while ago! Would be an excuse to re-read them

Yeah, Elijah doesn't really look changed, but then, he was the youngest and is still a few years from getting all grey and wrinkly, after all Besides, I didn't think the others returning from the old cast looked much older, either. And the make-up artists are probably able to smooth it over a bit, if necessary.

The dwarves' table manners left a lot to be desired, not only Bombur's, if you ask me. That was a bit overdone, IMO.

Oh yes, Nahara, go and read the books! It's worth it, believe me. And I can always talk about them, so if you have questions, just come here!

Just read that with costumes and prosthetics, each dwarf was carrying an additional 30 kilos or more - that must have been quite exhausting!

[ginnyrules27]

Kitty, I'd love to re-read the books but my father has laid claim to them, and my cousin took our other set. My father reads as slow as molasses in February.

Well, at least now I'm re-inspired to work on my HP/LOTR crossover. *putters off to write but then gets sidetracked by Rise of the Guardians stuff*

[Kitty279]

Which one is he reading right now? If it's the first one, can you steal it when he's not at home?

[ginnyrules27]

No, I can't steal it. He's on vacation for the holidays and when he's not paying the bills or doing other household work, he's reading that. What's worse is that I'm no longer of the age where he could just read it to me.

*does some digging around my room* Hey? NEAT! I just found the Fellowship of the Ring audiobook. *chuckles madly*

[Kitty279]

Oh, what a pity!

Well, better than no Tolkien at all, and as far as I know, these audiobooks are pretty good, too.

[jaffaninja]

Yes. Everyone who has not read LotR - GO DO IT NOW.

I know I'm going to be in tears during the Battle of the Five Armies. Half the time when I was watching I was going 'Fili and Kili and Thorin are all going to die' and feeling a little depressed. And it had to be the good-looking ones, didn't it?

[Kitty279]

It's not the easiest read, at least not for inexperienced readers, but it's so worth it! The other day I talked with a friend about it and she said she can't really read other fantasy, either, because it always feels like a pale copy of LotR.

Exactly what I said! Why had they to make these three the most hot-looking? That makes it even easier to like them so much, beyond their roles and how they act. I totally loved them, particularly Kili, then Fili and then Thorin. After that Balin, I think. Of course, then I remember that tomb in Moria ...

Tomorrow I'm going again with my friends, yay! Already have the ticket!

[ShotgunWilly]

Very nice. I've had "Over the Misty Mountains Cold" stuck in my head all day today

Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold...

I really did like how close they stayed to the book, though. It's probably why they're able to make three movies out of it.

I also liked some of the attention to detail. If you paid close attention you could see that they make a lot of the returning characters like Gandalf and Elrond and the Lady of Lorien look just a *little* bit younger.

I also liked how perfect their arrangement of Over the Misty Mountains Cold was. I've yet to hear a better one that fits the story as well.

[Kitty279]

Quite the catchy tune

That was what I felt about LotR, too. Sure, there were changes, and I don't always agree with each of them, but overall, they are really staying closer to the books than most others would have done, and that's why I appreciate these movies so much.
They did a great job with that, considering that LotR was filmed over ten years ago.
Speaking of details, I can't wait for all the books about art and design, creatures, costumes, weapons and whatever they are going to publish. And from what I heard, we will get an Extended Edition of the movies, too. Hopefully with the same amazing, informative, elaborate making-of as for LotR that I've seen at least as often as the movies themselves!

Oh, and I guess some of the extensions are owed to the stuff they took from the appendices and added. The White Council, for instance. And I guess they will show us more where Gandalf vanished to at the borders of Mirkwood.

[ShotgunWilly]

Well, considering they have the same director, I don't see why not.

[ShotgunWilly]

btw, here's a fan-made arrangement of various LotR and Hobbit songs that I found and really like.

[blackroses77]

I quickly hit the back button on this thread back in Dec when Kitty said that Balin, Kili and Fili die. All I could think was NOOOOOOO

But I have had time to come to terms with it and return to the thread with my opinion on the movie. So, I never made it past the second chapter of the book finding Bilbo's reaction to the invasion of his house and Gandolfs chasing him away the next morning to join the dwarfs completely stupid (I actually threw the book down in disgust at one point before picking it back up and forcing myself to read further). But I still wanted to see the movie because the previews just looked amazing and I loved the triology, so I was very very very happy with the changes made to the beginning which made Bilbo's reactions so much more realistic (and so that I didn't want to reach through the movie screen and strangle him while yelling at him to grow a pair).

I thought the battle scenes were amazing and I loved the humor that was in it especially the part with the trolls. I haven't decided if I will once again try to force myself to read the book to find out what happens or just wait for the movies.

[Kitty279]

Sorry for traumatizing you, but it's canon, sadly. Though it's Thorin in this case, not Balin - that one survived, but later died in Moria. Remember that tomb in LotR they found in the mines in that chamber before Orcs and Troll attacked? And I doubt Peter will change that, no matter how hot these actors are. With that sort of thing, he was usually very pedantic to keep it in canon. But I'm with you on the NOOO!

Yeah, that was a bit strange in the books, but I guess back in the 1930's people may have thought a bit differently, who knows? In any case, I'd try to read the book again, it really is nice. Though so far I like the tone of the movie better - the book is too much aimed at children, and sometimes it shows. And some things, like the Elves, are more in sync with LotR in the movies, too.

Yesterday I was in the Hobbit movie the second time and can't wait for the third

[jaffaninja]

Yeah, the tone in the movies is better. Not saying the book was badly toned or anything (perish the thought!) but I read it when I was a kid, liked it, and then read LotR a bit later. Then going back to the Hobbit it was a bit... I don't know, it seemed paler in comparison. The way the movies have done it is good, not so much a watered-down version of LotR as I thought they might do, but with a completely different tone that fits.

I wonder if once Peter's done with the Hobbit, he'll go on to some of JRR's other stories, like the Children of Hurin and the Silmarillion.

[Kitty279]

The Hobbit needs to be lighter in tone, yes, but not so much as the book was. From what I can tell so far, they managed to keep it lighter than LotR, but still did it in a way that it fits. Look at the Elves of Rivendell - in the Hobbit they were rather silly, singing that Tra-la-la-la stuff, and in LotR they were serious and completely different. So I am glad Peter changed a bit there, it fits better.

No, Peter won't, because he can't. JRRT himself sold the rights to Hobbit and LotR back when he was still alive, but CoH and Sil came out later and weren't included in the deal. And there's no way they would get the rights. Christopher Tolkien shares his father's opinion that LotR (and anything else of the world of Middle-earth) is unfilmable, so there won't be any film rights. They aren't even allowed to use the "Quest for Erebor" chapter from Unfinished Tales, they only can use what is about that in Hobbit and the Appendices of LotR.

Tolkien's great-grandson Royd is more open and even played an extra in RotK and was involved with that safety video for Air NZ, but from what I know Christopher made sure that like-minded people will take up the reins after his death.

Besides, I don't think the Sil would make a good movie for the cinema, you could only do it as a series of smaller films, maybe for TV. Too many different stories.

[blackroses77]

Jan 8, 2013 6:34:13 GMT -5 Kitty279 said:

Though it's Thorin in this case, not Balin - that one survived, but later died in Moria.

ACK! Thorin dies! What was JRR thinking killing off all the good guys, that's not usually how children's books go.

The name Balin didn't even register as the same as in the FotR, now I want to watch the movie again to see what else I missed. And I also want to see my favorite part of the movie again, the whole fight scene in the caves which was great but nerve-racking. I kept repeating over and over again in my head 'don't kill that one, don't kill that one'. Of course now I know that it is going to be a short lived reprieve *scowls*

I will probably try to read the book again since I'm not a patient person and a year is a long time to wait to find out what happens.

[Kitty279]

Oh well, he couldn't foresee that there would be a movie one day for which they cast the hottest actors for the wrong roles Besides, the good guy there is Bilbo, and he returns home, don't forget that!

Understandable, Balin was just one mention in a long trilogy, you have no reason to remember that name, I believe. Even I didn't register it straight away, and I had read the Hobbit shortly before LotR. But then, you can read LotR 100 times and still find new details.