The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

[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]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[Earth 2 Chris]

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

Chris

[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

[Figuremod73]

Im suspecting (and hoping) that the reason its not liked by some is because its different for LOTR. It is a more juvenile story with less suspense.

A part of me is hoping theres alot of back story from The Silmarillion. It's really where my interest is.

[Earth 2 Chris]

It's really surprising to hear this. Who would have thought Jackson would have dropped the ball? I still want to check it out for myself, but I did not expect this reaction.

Chris

[EMCE Hammer]

I read a review yesterday that just slammed it from beginning to end.

[spacecaps]

Sooo.......I've heard this movie is pretty bad. Someone actually went as far to call it "The Phantom Menace of the decade" I hope this isn't the case and I'll reserve judgment till I see it this weekend but my expectations are pretty low at this point.

[TomStrong]

I went to the theatre and swapped my tickets for the 2d and saved some bucks! I also retread the novel over the last few days to brush up. I'm going tomorrow at noon. I'll try to post sans spoilers tomorrow afternoon.

[PNGwynne]

I loved LOTR and should be excited about this film, but somehow I'm not. The trilogy aspect concerns me--will it be bloated, off-canon?

I would have felt more conmfortable with a 2-parter, with some some Silmarillon prelude.