So I saw The Hobbit

[cleolinda]

Due to the computer trouble (see the previous entry) and also my general and regrettable allergy to deadlines, I haven't finished the Breaking Dawn thing yet. However, even if I do finish it this weekend… I'm not sure when it will be appropriate to post it, given the really, really awful events in Connecticut. Charlie's Over-Protective Father

Comments

[hopeandmemory]

The tonal whiplash thing might explain some of my mixed feelings having seen the film twice already and now being able to take a break and actually think about it. The whole Azog thing was super confusing to me, because by the time the events in The Hobbit take place, he's already dead. He dies in the same battle Thror is killed in. I'm not sure why they decided to go with him as the Big Bad and probably write out Bolg as the enemy in the Battle of the Five Armies (which is sure to be absurd and massive). I understand that splitting the story in such a way requires some kind of antagonist to be brought in so you can end the first volume with some kind of triumph, but it came off a bit weird

[hippydippymama]

I'm still not entirely sure of what the movie timeline with Azog and Thror and Thrain's deaths were. Azog beheaded one and then one was taken prisoner, and I know in the BOOK how that goes, but they sorta handwaved what happened to Thrain, there. But somehow in the movie this didn't bother me because EPIC DWARF BATTLE OMG.

Also, I really wish they had brought Dain in, and shown more of his story, given how important he ultimately ends up being.

I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT FIGWIT!! Someone posted about him on Tumblr and I just about died. I kinda wish they'd kept his nickname. =P

[pinkrouge]

Wait, what? Figwit has a name other than Figwit? Wasn't he in the credits of RotK as 'Figwit'? I can't remember...

[an_lagat_glas]

Bret Mackenzie was credited as Lindir in The Hobbit.

[phyncke]

I really liked the dwarf battles and that back story added to the tale as it added to Thorin's character. I was not feeling the orc thing and them being chased to Erebor. I am not sure how I feel about PJ changing the whole structure of the tale. This is no longer about Bilbo - it is now Thorin v Azog. That does not work for me at all. I am really worried about what will develop with this plot and how it will effect the ending of the story. That is simplicity itself as they face the dragon and if the orcs muck that up, I am going to be pissed.

This is certainly not my Hobbit but I did enjoy the film.

[hippydippymama]

**SPOILERS if you don't know the book ends**

I was UNPREPARED for the awesomeness of Richard Armitage's Thorin. Like, I knew seeing all the old guard (both Ians, Hugo, CATE AND OMG ELIJAH HI ELIJAH!!) was going to do me in, and I knew Martin would be an endearing, adorable Bilbo, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT, THORIN GODDAMNED OAKENSHEILD.Basically, I agree with you here

[jubilantia]

Amen, with the Thorin love. I actually remembered at the end of this movie about his dying, and I was like "oh no... surely not yet?" But yeah. That part will break me.

I loved his eyeroll, and the comic timing was BRILLIANT.

I think Jackson has a gift for distilling and shaping the story into something that would work for a movie, i.e. the Home/Hearth/Friendship themes that really fit with hobbits, and creating the Pale Orc character as an antagonist for this movie, until we meet Cumbersmaug.

[cleolinda]

Every time I started thinking "omg Thorin is so awesome" I always finished the thought with "...and he's gonna die." And also? Fili and Kili. MAN, that is tough to think about.

[hippydippymama]

I know they can't really do it, or it completely defeats the purpose of the story, but I would not really mind if they changed that. Seriously. It would be like the ultimate fix-it-fanfic.

[quicksilvermad]

I actually overheard the ticket booth employee warning a customer from watching the high frame rate version of the movie because "the human eye can't keep up with that much visual information." Which, duh. Why did they even release a version like that

[r_a_black]

The guy who played Bofur (and his awesome hat) had me thinking of the Beatles for whatever reason. I have no idea why.

I was thinking Foo Fighters the whole time, kept reminding me of their lead singer.

[hopeandmemory]

oh my god YES, james nesbitt does bear a striking resemblance to dave grohl, now that you mention it.

[encarmencita]

OMG, that was Lee Pace! Piemaker Elf Lord!!!

[scornedsaint]

Not necessarily a question for Cleolinda, but for everyone here. I keep hearing about how long it is; will my nephews (ages 7 & 9, decent attention spans) enjoy it or will there be too much exposition for them?

[hippydippymama]

If they can sit through any of LOTR movies, they should be able to handle this fine. There's a lot more humor in this (the dwarves descending on Bilbo's house, the bit with the trolls, etc) that I think it'll keep them up.

[rj_anderson]

I took my 7 and 10 year old sons last night and they both adored it. Mind you, they'd been begging me to take them ever since they found out there was going to be a movie, since they love the book. I think it would have taken a lot more problems than a little dragginess here and there to keep them from enjoying it.

[ladyvyola]

I sat through a 6:40 showing with my four nephews and nieces. My brother is a major fan and they've all seen LOTR multiple times, watch their parents play the video game, have the Legos, etc, etc, ad infinitum