The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

[kellyrfineman]

Yesterday, my sweetheart and I saw the last of The Hobbit films. I really loved it, and was quite emotional about it for a while afterwards. I think it's because (a) Thorin died (which I knew he would, since it's in the book), and the Tauriel/Kili/Legolas story line really hit me as well and (b) it's likely Peter Jackson's last foray into the

Comments

[ext_2338497]

I have to say, Kelly, I had the total opposite reaction to the Hobbit movies. I sobbed my heart out the first time I READ Thorin's death and cry every time I reread it. But it was so different in the movie--the reasons behind it, the character himself, that I was so frustrated I didn't even feel like I was watching Thorin die

Re:

[kellyrfineman]

Oh, I know there are LOTS of people in your camp, Becky. Including the comment below. But I happened to be okay with the films, overall, and in part for making the link between The Hobbit (which felt self-contained) and LOTR. Last time I read the books, I found Thorin to be selfish and deluded (although not necessarily suffering dragon sickness and marginally insane). He was more responsive to immediate threats, however

[ext_2959445]

I would not have missed any of the movies (I saw most of them on opening day), because of my fondness for the books, however, I thought The Hobbit trilogy was poorly done. I can understand the addition of backstory details to foreshadow the LOTR, but I didn't think the addition of Tauriel was at all necessary. Unless my memory serves me wrong, I don't believe that there is a single female character in the book The Hobbit! How I wish more time had been added to the first three movies, instead of turning the shortest book into 3 movies! And don't get me started on the omission of Tom Bombadil from LOTR. ;) I also re-read all the books periodically, but I'm not even close to approaching 30 re-reads! You're a true fan!

[kellyrfineman]

There is indeed no female character in The Hobbit, unless there is a serving wench somewhere in a pub or something. It's all a huge sausage fest, and I suppose that they added Tauriel to make it less obviously so. I don't recall reading an appendix with backstory for Legolas, so I am guessing they invented it out of whole cloth, but it didn't really bug me.

That said, I agree with you about the LOTR movies. Even the lengthier director's cuts aren't long enough for me. I understand them omitting the Tom Bombadil section, since it does very little to advance the overall plot, but like you, I'd have enjoyed seeing it. Am hoping you read Becky Levine's comment (above) about The Hobbit movies. She's unhappy about the treatment of Thorin and the addition of backstory from the appendices AND the love triangle. (I see her points, and understand them, but still really liked the movies as they are.)

[angeladegroot]

I read the books and saw the movies - loved them!

[kellyrfineman]

I knew you'd agree with me, somehow!

[tommy50702]

I enjoyed both previous films. They were no LOTR but it was different and it was good to be back. I am very glad for that.

[kellyrfineman]

That was my take, too!