The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

[Nostalgiabuff]

i bet a lot of the negative reviews are just people who love to tear things down, they just hate to see other people have success. i will go see it tonight and post a review

[Earth 2 Chris]

Yeah, we as a society sometimes tend to love something, then hate it when it comes back around.

Chris

[TomStrong]

I took the day off and went to see it with my wife and enjoyed it. The scenery and look of the film was beautiful. The film departed from the book in many respects just as the LOTR trilogy of films did. The film certainly had more comic moments in it that the LOTR but that also is the feel of the Hobbit book. I think people who review films try to make press for their negative reviews. I will certainly see the rest of the films and enjoy them for what they are. If critics gripe because it differs from the book, get the unabridged audiobook. Critics never liked the Lord of the Rings either.

[Figuremod73]

Good to hear.

Tell me though (without giving anything away) did it get into middle-earth historical lore? More importantly....did anyone get sick and barf?

[Sideshow Spock]

I think people who review films try to make press for their negative reviews. I will certainly see the rest of the films and enjoy them for what they are. If critics gripe because it differs from the book, get the unabridged audiobook. Critics never liked the Lord of the Rings either.

That's not really true - looking at rotten tomatoes, Fellowship got over 90% favorable reviews, and the rest of the trilogy got even better.

The Hobbit is currently at 65% favorable.

[EMCE Hammer]

I really want to like it. I still have my set of books from when I was a kid, as well as my Rankin Bass record set. The Hobbit was an iconic part of my childhood, probably even more than Star Wars if you can believe that. I want to see it and feel the same love as I did for the LotR films. I'll be looking for a 2-D version for sure.

[Figuremod73]

I'm one of those who believes Jackson REALLY does have respect for the material. Sure, he puts his artistic license on the story line but for the most part I think he did really well with LOTR's, (ok, Helms deep could have been better, and Frodo's trip thru Mordor was underdone but....) I'm confident about this as well.

I've always wanted The Silmarillon fleshed out; I think it would make a good cartoon series than anything. I would still like to see bits and pieces of it in the film though.

[TomStrong]

I feel the same about the Rankin Bass. I had a book and tape my mother got me and still have the book.

[Nostalgiabuff]

just got back. loved it. don't bother with 3d though, it's distracting.
the movie, like the book, is more whimsical than LOTR
as already noted, the scenery was gorgeous, lots of funny moments. but lots of action as well. the Gollum scene was lots of fun, Andy Serkis at his best.
don't listen to the negative crap, it's a good movie and lots of fun. I took my wife and 3 children to see it and they all loved it

[TomStrong]

The Eagles . . . !! Ditto on the scenery, I felt like I had spent some time in Middle Earth. I usually just do that in my head.

[ScottA]

My son went to the midnight showing with his girlfriend last night and they both really enjoyed it. That's all that matters.

[drquest]

I just got back from seeing it with two of my kids, and 4 of their friends, all 13 or under. They all really liked it, and I did too. I can see someone going into possibly expecting something else, like a LOTR sequel, but this isn't that movie, and the book isn't either. So depending on your expectations, some might come out of it not having a fondness for the movie.

It had a few slow times, and filler stuff, but the fillers were mostly scenery which was amazing. My favorite was probably the Gollum part, gotta love that little guy

[rche]

How is it with younger kids?

[Apositive]

I'll go to this eventually but not this weekend....I hate crowds. Three hours is an awful long time for me to sit in one place.

Plus I also want to see Django Unchained and Zero Dark Thirty---something may have to wait until its DVD release. :(

[Nostalgiabuff]

you know, i seem to recall a lot of people did not like Fellowship of the rin either because they just did not get it and then once the other two came out they started to understand
the Hobbit is slower paced than LOTR but so is the book. the additional footage they added in from the appendices fleshes out the whole storyline(including for LOTR)
Radagast was a lot of fun, what a bizarre character...LOL for those who don't know, he is the 3rd of the five wizards in Middle Earth