The Hobbit Movie (Review)

I went and saw The Hobbit in 3D IMAX tonight.

The 3D experience was fantastic!  We were sitting a bit close to the screen for my liking (row 6, and a bit off centre).  Some of the 3D effects felt like there were right on top of us. A bit freaky at times.

So far as the movie goes, I found that it had a different feel than the previous 3 movies.  I can't quite put my finger on how it felt different.  At some points it kind of reminded me of the sets from The Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Some of the special effects were quite cheesy, and where the computer generated portions of scenes in the previous 3 movies were so well done that it was hard to tell reality from computer generated, it was very apparent in The Hobbit at times.

Since the book started out as a bedtime story for Tolkien's son, the movie had a light airy tone to it, with many comedic elements.  But it's not a kids movie because there is also a great deal of violence in it (a head being hacked off, stabbings....you know, typical sword fight blood and gore).

And there is a huge amount of license liberty taken. Most of the movie (70% maybe?) didn't happen in the book.

Without giving away any spoilers, I just have to mention that the scene with the eagles seen in 3D is freaking awesome!!!

I've heard some say that it was filmed differently; something about a faster speed and that some found it nauseating to watch. I didn't find it nauseating.  But it might be what gave it that weird "feel" that I mentioned.

Because it was a Tolkien story I give it 5/5 stars.

As a general movie? Being honest I'd say 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I am going back to see it again in a couple weeks, this time sitting more towards the back, in the centre of the screen.

The Hobbit was filmed 48 frames per second, as compared to the normal 24 frames a second, so the filming is very different and gives the overall picture a very different quality. Some people said they loved it, and yes, some people said they got nauseated from watching the film. I just told Rick last night that I'd love to see The Hobbit.....I've always loved Tolkien. It's disheartening to know that they took that much creative liberty with the film that 70% of the movie wasn't in the book. But I'd love to see the movie anyway.

The Hobbit is not a very long book, and much of the content in it is glossed over because it was supposed to be a bedtime story.  So for them to make three 3 hour movies, they would have to take a great deal of licensed liberty.

I felt that some of the scenes were too drawn out. For example when they were trying to escape the orcs inside the mountain; I thought that scene would never end.
 

I've heard quite a few mixed reviews, which is a shame. Hard to top The Lord of the Rings though. I'm looking forward to going soon!

Well we saw it on Tuesday in Imax 3D. I got a headache and felt nauseous afterward! I was fine with the other 3D movie I saw, but this one must be different.
Anyway, I enjoyed the movie and found it entertaining. Not a match for Lord of the Rings, but then nothing would be.

So is it okay to watch if you haven't seen any of the other movies or read the other books? The Hobbit is the only one of the books that I've read, and I'm interested in seeing the movie.

catbehaviors said:

So is it okay to watch if you haven't seen any of the other movies or read the other books? The Hobbit is the only one of the books that I've read, and I'm interested in seeing the movie.

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Yes, it is based on "The Hobbit" which really has nothing to do with The LoTR, or at least that's how it started out anyway. 

A bit of a spoiler as to how they tie this movie into the The Fellowship of the Ring.......don't read if you don't want to know

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Spoiler - last chance!!!

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The Fellowship of the Ring starts with Frodo reading in the woods and Gandalf arriving in The Shire. Frodo leaps into the cart and talks to Gandalf for a short while, then runs off to read again.

The Hobbit starts off a little before that. Bilbo preparing for his party, hanging up the do not disturb sign on the gate, and Frodo leaving the house to go off to the woods to read.  The whole scene is about 5 minutes long.

i saw it last friday in 3D.i never seen a 3D movie before and i loved it. especially the eagles. seemed like they were coming up from behind you. but i too thought the escape from the orcs was way too long. all everybody did was run in the whole movie

pushylady said:

Well we saw it on Tuesday in Imax 3D. I got a headache and felt nauseous afterward! I was fine with the other 3D movie I saw, but this one must be different.
 

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That's because it was filmed at twice the speed of other movies.  It's yet to be decided if this is going to be the new norm for future movies.  You can bet that since Peter Jackson did it, many other movies that will be coming out will be in done in that speed.

goonie said:

i saw it last friday in 3D.i never seen a 3D movie before and i loved it. especially the eagles. seemed like they were coming up from behind you. but i too thought the escape from the orcs was way too long. all everybody did was run in the whole movie

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Yes, that scene was way, way too long.   And as I said, the eagle scene was freaking amazing!!! 

pushylady said:

Anyway, I enjoyed the movie and found it entertaining. Not a match for Lord of the Rings, but then nothing would be.

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I'll probably think so too once I get around to watching it. glad you liked it - LOTR movies are awesome, especially the 3rd one

c1atsite said:

I'll probably think so too once I get around to watching it. glad you liked it - LOTR movies are awesome, especially the 3rd one

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I really liked the The Two Towers best of the three. I think it was the big battles, and the Orcs arriving at the keep with the dark and the rain was awesome!

Yes it was awesome. Scarier than The Return of the King-- because I had never seen a huge battle prior to The Two Towers. Plus the title The Return of the King gives away the happy ending lol. However I loved it because it was so emotional.

I loved it, loved it, loved it!
And that's coming from someone who is not a LOTR fan.

Some 3D movies are too goofy, with everything 'jumping' out at you (balls and twigs and things in kids movies, very predictable), but the ones I've seen lately aren't like that. The 3D just adds dimension to everything, makes you feel like you are IN the movie. Like Avatar, loved that very much...

I tried to see it today and was told yesterday was the last day - I waited too long! oh well, I'll catch it on cable on demand