It didn't open in Australia until Boxing Day, but since then I have seen it four times, and I am not sated yet!
I think it is quite brilliant. It respects the literary world created by Tolkien, but Sir PJ and his team have visualised it in a way that is perfect for cinema. Three hours wasn't long enough. I was genuinely shocked when it ended because I could have easily sat there for another couple of hours.
My highlights:
1. The Erebor prologue was perfection. It set up all three movies, showed the history of the animosity between Mirkwood Elves and the Dwarves, introduced the major themes and characters in a few short minutes.
2. Gollum/Smeagol and Bilbo. I could have sat there for hours watching Serkis and Freeman. It was like a theatre piece, watching two amazing actors play off one another.
3. The casting. I do applaud those casting directors who choose to forgo the Hollywood archetype and instead choose classically trained actors from the UK, Ireland, NZ and Australia for these big movies. There is a depth and respect there that allows an audience to completely believe in what they are watching, however fantastical.
4. Thorin! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
5. Fili and Kili! Double Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
6. The Stone Giants. Mentioned very briefly in the book. It was brilliant fun.
7. The score. Oh, Howard Shore, you freaky God of Music you.
8. Martin Freeman. Comedic without being deliberate. That is a rare gift. He is the perfect Bilbo.
9. Little throw backs to The Lord of the Rings: Weathertop, Frodo and the party sign...
10. Rivendell. I cried. Simple as.
It wasn't all perfection. I thought the CGI for the Wargs and Radagast chase was rather poor, and I didn't like Azog. However, it was an amazing film and I cannot wait for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
9 comments:
I am totally booked this Wednesday at 4.30 pm to see this!! Can't wait!! And I insisted on seats closest to the exit doors where the loos are! LOL!!!
Take care
x
I too loved it.
I have yet to see it. Glad you enjoyed it so much!
I very much enjoyed it, too! And though I worried at the outset whether I could sit for that long, I didn't look at my watch at all. It was wonderful.
What didn't you like about Azog? The way he was CGIed, or the fact that he was in the story at all?
And I missed the reference to Weathertop. Where did that come in?
I need to see this! Gah. I'm excited. :D
Bander, I thought having a menace chasing the dwarves was great, but I thought the CG was poor.
Weathertop was featured as Azog's hiding place.
I'VE JUST SEEN IT!!! OH WOWOWOWOWOOWWOW!! Donna! You are so RIGHT!! When it ended I nearly SCREAMED because I wanted it to go on! I didn't even notice the time or the 3D - I LOVED IT!!! Oh wow. Dare I say this was even better than LOTR part 1?!? Yes I dare!!
Take care
x
Yes, a fair review. I absolutely loved the film. Bilbo was perfect. I loved the way Jackson tried to pull together LOTR and The Hobbit a little more (pulling in Saruman etc.) I was OK with Azog, although the Goblin King wasn't quite how I'd imagined him. Can't wait for #2...
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