The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - my review/thoughts
I feel like I'm one of the last few people who finally got around to watching 'The Hobbit' but let me tell you it was worth the wait! The movie is absolutely beautiful and if you're a fan of everything middle-earth you would not want to miss this :) Yes it has been getting mixed reviews with many people complaining about the 'bloatedness' of the
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I greatly suspect that PJ and CO. took their opportunity to add all this background info in and expand the scope of the film past the canon of the Hobbit due to the fact that once the Hobbit was done, there is almost no chance that any more Middle-Earth films would be made. No grand epic love story of Luthien and Beren, complete with them taking on the biggest bad of all of Middle-Earth, Sauron's BOSS: Morgoth . No tragedy of Nienor and Turin. The Fall of Gondolin, which is chock full of epic stories and which was Elrond's childhood home. The Fall of Numenor and the founding of Gondor and Arnor. Numenor was the kingdom of men founded by Elrond's twin brother, who chose to become human and is the forefather (by like thirty + generations of Aragorn). So many amazing tales that are probably never going to be seen in film. Which is the right of the Tolkien Estate and I do not fault them for it. Esp. since I have a feeling most Hollywood studios would destroy these tales :( But that said, I get why PJ would expand these the way he has, using history of Middle-Earth that is there, but that most casual readers would not even be aware of.
Yes, Azog was my least favorite aspect of these films! I liked that PJ included the Azanulbizar backstory (and loved the part of Thorin using the oak as a shield!) but what was with him surviving and spending hugely unnecessary bits of the movie chasing after them? And now how on earth (or Middle-Earth) is he going to properly work in Dain II and Bolg? Since Dain II Ironfoot actually killed Azog at Azunulbizar? And Bolg is the character who should be doing what Azog is doing throughout the film!? Mind you, I am just letting go the fact that Thror was killed before that battle entirely. Really, Azog died in 2799 T.A. and this is 2941 T.A. at present in The Hobbit. Argh . At least they could have had it be Bolg and at least that would make sense in context. I still would not have felt it should be there (as there is already more than enough reason for Thorin to hate the orcs and do we really need another vendetta? Thorin has enough going on, thanks!) but it would fit...
Loved the troll scene! That, the meeting/dinner at Bag End and the Riddle scene were the ones that just beautifully captured the spirit of the book and how I felt about these scenes when they were read to me as a child! Perfect. Also, loved the fact that William, Tom and Bert are all in the same position as we see them in FOTR:)
And the soundtrack:) I love it, esp. the new Misty Mountain theme.
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Wow you've mentioned so many epic plots/stories that could possibly covered in The Hobbit which means I need to read some of those appendices before the 2nd part. Yes it seems to me that PJ wants to tell us more about middle earth and it's history than just cover the Hobbit book which will be interesting to watch if he manages to pull it off well.
Yes omg I was so confused about Blog in the movie - I was like doesn't he come in the war scenes towards the end? Azog/Blog was confusing. It seems they're setting up Azog to be the main antagonist and we'll probably have a Thorin/Azog showdown where Azog is killed and Thorin fatally wounded leaving him to die eventually.
LOL I like what you said! Thorin does have enough on his plate already but gah I dunno they just want to set him up as this angsty dwarf prince who will avenge everyone and everything and he will be the tragic hero.
Yes the party scene was actually one of the best! It was long but captured the essence so perfectly.
AHHHHHH addicted to the Misty Mountains scene!
Curious to know what you liked and didn't. Also what did you think about Lee Pace?
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As for Lee Pace as Thranduil? I was hesitant at first when I heard he had been cast and even the first few pictures released did not completely allay my worry. I mean, I love Ned (my favorite character Lee Pace has portrayed to-date), but the Pie Maker persona could not really compare to an Elven king, much less the leader of the remaining Sindarin in Middle-Earth and father to Legolas. And even though we only get two insanely brief (and non-vocal) scenes with him, I think he will do an excellent job. As for everyone complaining about what a jerk/ insert insulting epithet here ______ he was, I can only say wait for the rest of the story. B/c there is far more to him. And hopefully they show that!!!
Is that what you meant? or looks? Costume design?
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Yep that's what I meant.
I've never watched anything with Lee Pace before but I did know that he was in Pushing Daisies and was like -' wait they cast that guy in the hobbit' ? I didn't even know who he was playing but I was confused . I finally saw the first promo pic they released and read the character description and was like okay maybe this could work. I wish he had atleast a line in Hobbit AUJ but yeah so far things are look good and I'm extremely excited for him. Yeah lots of ppl (esp those who haven't read the book) are hating on him for that reason but yep he will be so so good in the next two movies. Also that's his character. He's not Legolas. He's vain and proud but yes the rest of the story will prove him different :)
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