I liked The Hobbit. Yes, it’s a tad too long at two hours and 49 minutes. And, yes, there’s padding (but it’s so well done I didn’t mind it). We’re back in Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth with the wizard Gandalf the Gray (Ian McKellen) and Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and a dozen dwarves. They’re on a quest to reclaim the home of the dwarves: lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. The scenery is spectacular. I almost want to travel to New Zealand (where the film was shot) to see the magnificent mountains and valleys. After a slow start, the action picks up and the last 30 minutes will take your breath-away. I can’t wait for the next two episodes! GRADE: A-
I enjoyed the LOTR trilogy, and I’ll probably see this one,
but,
When I go to see a movie, I want to see a movie and be done with it: not make a down-payment on a mortgage!
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY only covers six chapters of J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel, Dan. Plenty of filler will be needed to stretch this story out for three movies!
I highly recommend THE LIFE OF PI. Gorgeous and meaningful.
LIFE OF PI is on our SEE SOON list, Patti. I just have to get through next week’s FINAL EXAMS and grading.
I’ve wanted to visit New Zealand for years and I’m sure this will only enhance that.
Still, we’ll wait a few weeks to see it.
THE HOBBIT was on six of the 18 screens at the Regal Theater I went to, Jeff. And, of course, it was on at the adjoining IMAX theater. I don’t think I could withstand the long flight to New Zealand. I’ll just watch LORD OF THE RINGS and THE HOBBIT trilogy.
That is longer than I realized. Was there an intermission? I’d hate to miss something because I had to take a break… I’m not sure how he can stretch one novel to almost 9 hours when he made three films of three novels. A pair of films should have been plenty. Still, I’ll wind up buying the extended director’s cut when it comes along… Sigh.
Fortunately, I’ve read THE HOBBIT and I knew when the scene was going to be mostly dialogue, Rick. That’s when I made my dash to the Men’s Room. I missed none of the real action (which is visually stunning!). All of my medications act like diuretics.
Jackie feels the same as you about the flight, George, one of the main reasons we’ve never made it Down Under. Perhaps someday… (sigh)
Maybe when Jackie gets new knees, she’ll feel differently, Jeff!
I feel a bit better after your review. Not heard anything but bad so far. Maybe it takes a fan to see through the padding. What I’ve heard is the third film is to be a bridge to the LOR. Does that mean new material? What can they come up with in the way of action? Bilbo supposedly lived a quiet life after THE HOBBIT.
I’m with you, Randy! I’m wondering what “new” material Peter Jackson and his crew can possibly come up with to bridge THE HOBBIT with LORD OF THE RINGS, too. When you see THE HOBBIT, you’ll like it.
I read that the dwarves have not one but two musical numbers in the first 45 minutes. That does not sound promising…
I used the dwarves singing their song to slip out to the Men’s Room, Drongo. Later, I slipped out again when Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves reached the Elves. I didn’t miss any of the incredible action scenes.
Richard and you make me think that it would be nice with these longer movies if they did some sort of intermission like they used to in the old days. As much as tickets cost they should make the viewing more of an experience that way. Any more I just don’t do a lot of hydration before and during a film because I won’t leave, I refuse to miss a minute of a film.
Glad you enjoyed it George. I too am looking forward to the next two. If they follow form each of those will be longer than this one.
Age may change your “I refuse to miss a minute of a film” philosophy, Carl. I blame my medications for my frequent urination but aging plays a role, too.
Maybe, but I’m going to hold out for as long as I can.