The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by Dean, Dec 24, 2012.

  1. Dean

    Dean Prototype

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    There was some discussion in anticipation of this movie in various threads prior to its release, but since it's been out in most markets ... crickets and tumbleweeds here at Skullbrain. Is that because members haven't gotten around to seeing it yet? Surely there are some strong opinions? Or is it that there is such a glut of opinions and reviews out there that we don't need to do that here? :)

    I liked it a lot. After seeing it, I found myself wrangling with a lot of criticisms. Then I went to see it again, and realized that both times, I'd been fully entertained, enraptured, and delighted ... and appreciated many more details that didn't hit me on first viewing, being a bit overstimulated by it all. So who cares about my petty criticisms of certain scenes and editorial decisions? It's a slam-dunk wonderful time at the movies and I greatly anticipate the next two installments.

    I liked the 48fps/3D effect. Didn't necessarily need it but there were several scenes (particularly those large or complex in scope) where the image benefitted from the doubling of visual information. I realize this is one of the most controversial elements of the release, and while (as with any other technological innovation) it might take awhile for the masses to acclimate to, I didn't think it made the imagery any less cinematic.

    It's sort of weird when one's positive opinion feels like it's going against the grain. The preponderance of negativity about this movie seems excessive and frequently based on false premises or irrelevant expectations. Going out on a limb here ... I kinda love it.
     
  2. Daimyo

    Daimyo Side Dealer

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    I fucking hated it. From Bilbo being rude to Gandalf and the first chapter of the book being stretched to an hour and it only got worse from there. Pale orc on a white warg? Radagast? Galadriel and Saruman? Unnecessary tension between the Dwarves and Elves? Cheesy one liners added in like it's a fucking Bruce Willis action movie? The eagle scene? Far too much creative license and it was all used to stretch a short book into three movies and make it more like typical Hollywood drivel. Tolkien was a great author and his work stands well on its own. Leaving things out to make a movie work is one thing but to add so much when you clearly lack his talent is just maddening and I'm not even what could be considered a fan boy of the books. I admire your ability to separate the movie from the book but I just can't do it. LOTR recieved few enough changes that it didn't really bother me but I was already worried when he said he would stretch Hobbit to three movies and clearly I should have been. I still look forward to watching Smaug lay waste to Laketown but these movies wont be the experience I had hoped for.
     
  3. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    All I needed to see was the bad CGI in the preview to know to stay away. Looks as bad as that crappy I Am Legend movie.
     
  4. Mecha

    Mecha Side Dealer

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Yeah, I am a huge fan of the first 3 films, but will probably stay away from this one. I hear it drags and drags..
     
  5. Winu

    Winu S7 Royalty

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Went in without expectations (or reading the book) and loved it! Just took things for what they were, and it became a fun movie. :)
     
  6. psilo110

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    havent seen it yet but one film would have been plenty.
     
  7. bryce_r

    bryce_r Die-Cast

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Agreed. I have stayed away from reviews so far and I am going to still going to see this in the theater but knowing that they are making this 3 films leads me to believe that the material will be stretched really thin.

    After the first Matrix came out there seemed to be a new film making trend where they filmed sequels back to back (matrix 2 and 3) and it always seems like the story suffers from it.

    I thought at first that they were going to make The Hobbit 2 parts and I was pretty sold on the idea.
     
  8. slipstar01

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    After hearing reviews I had prepared for disappointment, but since my wife bought tickets a week before opening I was obligated to go, best choice ever. It was like an 80's classic S&S flick, but it had realistic graphics. 1 film would not have been enough... Maybe if they were just making The Hobbit, but with inclusions of The Simmalrillion laden throughout the film, it could be a 5 part movie. It's really good, filled with less drama, and more action. It feels like a children story, that hasn't been dumbed down. A+.
     
  9. blakewest

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    I really appreciated the background material at the beginning about Thorin and the Dwarves. When I read the book as a kid, I did not pick up that of all the middle earth peoples, the dwarves had no homeland at all. I think its impressive that Jackson is trying to make Thorin and at least a couple of the other dwarves more three dimensional than the little old men from the Rankin-Bass cartoon.

    Also, I think the new cinematographic tech really enhanced my sense of being transported to middle earth. I felt like 3d was actually worth being used here as opposed to being a gimmick.
     
  10. Lalo

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    i personally loved it.
    i'm a huge fan of the actual book. i went through the movie noting the similarities and differences through out. there was a bunch of stuff added on, but i found most of those interesting/fun. i went in having read the bad reviews and having low expectations. i was pleasently surprised to say the least.
     
  11. Lalo

    Lalo Mini Boss

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    i'm sure the next two films will be even better!
    can't wait to see beorn!!!
     
  12. Kerk1

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Went in reading the mixed reviews and as a big fan of the book, absolutely loved it! Found myself in another world for almost 3 hours and didnt want it to end. The worlds and characters created are so rich.

    Comparing to LOTR and The Hobbit I felt the movie did a great job of distinguishing the two. Where as LOTR is darker and more dramatic, The Hobbit movie felt more magical and definitely a little more "childish" in comparison which was perfect.

    I dont see what people mean by bad CGI?? It was very well done overall!

    I want to see it again :D
     
  13. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    I just hate any CGI. Always feels cheap and easily distinguishable from the rest of the movie. I can always spot it and always let out a sigh when I see it. I'm absolutely no fun :lol:
     
  14. blakewest

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Gollum is so creepy in the new one. Not that he doesn't still look animated, but just how alive the animation looks. Lixx Im sure the very intensity of detail would give you to groan out loud in the theater like a dying man. ;)
     
  15. ted kopper

    ted kopper Side Dealer

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    but I'm guessing you're a fan of tokusatsu vfx?
    :lol:
     
  16. il_muffino

    il_muffino Addicted

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    You THINK you can always spot it. Everyone thinks they can always spot it. If the CGI was there and you didn't spot it, how would you know? You wouldn't. Anyway, I remember seeing television ads for Titanic and thinking "That CGI (of the sinking ship) looks so fake." When I finally saw the film on the big screen, totally different story. In fact, the CGI was the ONLY convincing part of that crappy movie, but that's a topic for another thread. I haven't seen the Hobbit yet, but my brother had the same complaints about it a couple of weeks ago having only seen the TV ads. "CGI looks fake. Dwarves look fake." He's since seen the film and can't stop raving about it. Just saying.
     
  17. psilo110

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    i would pay to see a guy in a rubber smaug suit smashing up scale models
     
  18. Dean

    Dean Prototype

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    When we really get to see Smaug, it's going to be interesting to see how the mo-cap thing works out. It'll probably be incredible, given that it's WETA and Andy Serkis, but the challenge is that a dragon's body shape is so much farther from the basic humanoid shape that a creature like Gollum has. I like that from what we've seen so far, Smaug seems very fierce, scary, destructive and evil. And beautiful.

    The only CGI that didn't quite work for me in "Journey" were the scenes of Radagast distracting the Orcs in his bunny sled. Otherwise very impressive work across the board, especially with the goblins, wargs and Gollum. Oh, and the virtual sets. The prologue scenes of Erebor were just stunning, as were the goblin kingdom and Rivendell.
     
  19. Kingboy D

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Just saw it today and I loved it. I was afraid going in after reading all the bad press, but it far surpassed my expectations. Of course, the LOTR (considering the trio as a single movie) was one of my favorites of all time. But I still went in with an open mind. I hadn't read the book since I was a kid, and some parts flickered recognition within me.

    As to the CGI, I agree with Dean. That scene he described was the only one where it looked bad. Everything else was outstanding.

    I thought there was plenty of action, especially in the second half. My 9 yr old had trouble sitting through the long movie, but then again, that is to be expected considering his issues we are currently diagnosing.

    Oh, and I saw the normal version of the movie, so no comment on the quality of the filming.

    My only complaint is the long wait until we see the other parts. I just now remember how I hated having to wait for the LOTR parts II and III. I want it all NOW!! ;)
     
  20. Kerk1

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    I KNOW! I could have sat in the theatre for all 3 in a row... And the tease of Smaug at the end! :shock:
     
  21. Daimyo

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    For as picky of toy geeks as you are, I am shocked to hear so many positive appraisals. :lol: ;) I will admit though, after taking my son to see it I did enjoy it more the second time around. I think the lack of shock over certain changes and not having to wonder if I was crazy for thinking certain things had been changed helped in my simply watching it. I still don't like the changes and hope the next two don't go much further in that respect but I am softening on it. I was already planning on seeing the other two anyways so nothing changed on that front. I now find myself pondering where they will cut off the second movie. I had the thought they would have to end it with the killing of Smaug. If both that and the final battle are all in the third the second may be lacking a ending. I suppose they could leave it hanging with Bilbo just meeting Smaug.
     
  22. audiodifficulties

    audiodifficulties S7 Royalty

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Agreed.
    I loathe the fact that so much of what we see anymore is just generated. I'd prefer a complete animated movie to over cgi live action any day.
     
  23. Lixx

    Lixx Mr. Grumpy™

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    Thank fuck someone agrees with me. I remember having a conversation with a fellow TLA video store clerk ( yes I worked there for a month when I lived in Philly) in 1997 prior to all those new Star Wars movies coming out. He was going on an on how in the future everything will be CGI and I was telling him how much that would suck and not translate well for epic storytelling. It's just studios being cheap and not wanting to pay extras. My feelings will always be if your a crafty enough film maker you will shoot scenes well instead of relying on CGI. I can see where it could be useful on occasion but its way overused.

    EDIT: Also I'm not trying to persuade people to dislike this movie. If you like it and felt you got your money's worth I'm happy for you. I think besides my CGI hate, I just never really got into the Hobbit as a book. All I remember from it, and this would have been about 30 years ago, was the Battle of 5 Armies. Was that in it? The Simarillion was always my favorite. Never liked Hobbits. I like Melkor. He was just misunderstood. :twisted:
     
  24. COOP

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    I enjoyed it - my expectations were lowered by all the negative nerd-press, but it was lots of fun. I realize there was a lot of additional material not in the book, but who cares? The first fight scene that introduces the main Orc dude looked like a Frazetta painting come to life - the goblins were amazing too.
     
  25. Daimyo

    Daimyo Side Dealer

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    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
    I agree the goblin swarms looked great but am I the only one that thinks the pale orc and white warg look completely out of place? For some reason the white warg just looked fake next to the dirty dingy ones, forced if you will and Azog looks more like a smooth skinned uruk hai. Like something our of a bad video game or corny Hollywood movie. The smooth skin, the painfully organized and visually perfect scars, the lack of bumps, cysts, grime and hair all just looked silly to me. He stood out like a sore thumb and not in a good way. And yes, I know my stance puts me squarely in butthurt geek boy territory. :lol:

    Edit: FINE, I'm the only one who disliked it for non CGI reasons and I am the only one who though Azog looked ridiculous! I'll go sit in the corner.... :lol:
     

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