The Hobbit Movie Trailer!

[Mithalwen]

What is there to be excited about? We know the plot and we know how PJ does things in ME - ad the trailer has confirmed it will be moulded to fit LOTR. The only variables are the additions and changes hinted at by casting which is more the macabre curiosity that inspires folk to rubberneck at a car crash rather than excitement.

While obviously we all know the books and perhaps the vast majority of Hobbit viewers will have seen LOTR but... even if you know what the story is with a film you sort of put that on hold and appreciate they don't know what will happen to them. Somehow the whole film being done as a flashback to Frodo is a handicap to that. Even within the context of the trailer, even if you went to that trailer in complete ignorance of Tolkien and the Jackson films you are informed instantly that everything is going to turn out alright in the end because Bilbo is telling it from the perspective of a safe and prosperous old age. It just makes all that portentous "will I return? I can't guarantee it.. I am not responsible for his fate " stuff utterly pointless

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Let's not let the physical embodiments of these beings lead us astray: Gandalf and Galadriel have known each other for thousands of years and I think Tolkien let's us understand they have a close relationship (which doesn't have to mean anything sexual to be sure) and they seem to admire each other... and they're the guardians of the rings... So bringing that part of their mutual history forwards looks like a decent addition (comparing to many other ones others and I have already said we hated in the LotR).

Indeed. They're very old friends so why wouldn't they be touchy-feely? Personally, I got over my shock that they weren't doing The Hobbit 'straight' a long time ago and I admit I'm quite interested and even excited to see how this stuff with The White Council pans out. I'm sure this scene is something to do with that. And aside from anything else, it might give me a chance to see Chris Lee as Saruman on screen again.

The new cast members chosen really are good choices. People outside the UK might not know them all very well or even at all because most of them are best known from TV shows in the UK. Richard Armitage is a fantastic actor and can turn his hand to any number of different roles. He's outshone anything Colin Firth could do in a costume drama lead role and stole the show in Robin Hood. Though I have to say in response to the dubbing of Aidan Turner as 'Kiligolas' that here you have pinpointed the wrong man. It's Armitage that has the fanatical following, including 'The Armitage Army'.

Aidan Turner himself is a great choice. He was vampire Mitchell in Being Human. I tend to think that he was chosen not for his looks but because Being Human has a devoted cult following and his presence will reel in the SF geeks.

Martin Freeman I've said all along would make the perfect Bilbo. In The Office, the whole series ended up not being about the Ricky Gervais character but about Freeman's character Tim, and his relationship with Dawn.

This is without even considering Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, Sylvester McCoy (another geek pleasing choice) and Benedict Cumberbatch. The only choice that I hate is Barry Humphries as the Great Goblin which reduces the role to pure pantomime, and I'm not convinced Stephen Fry won't chew up the scenery.

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Though I have to say in response to the dubbing of Aidan Turner as 'Kiligolas' that here you have pinpointed the wrong man. It's Armitage that has the fanatical following, including 'The Armitage Army'.

Aidan Turner himself is a great choice. He was vampire Mitchell in Being Human. I tend to think that he was chosen not for his looks but because Being Human has a devoted cult following and his presence will reel in the SF geeks.

Kiligolas being Kiligolas has nothing to do with the actor himself or anything he may or may not have previously done. I don't think it’s the actor's fault.

It has everything to do with Kiligolas not looking anything like a dwarf (note the discussion above where people couldn't figure out whether he was a ranger or a cameraman who wandered into shot or whatever) and overall he just looks like a pretty boy Ranger...ergo Kiligolas. I would have called him "Kiligorn" but I thought that sounded weird.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Kiligolas being Kiligolas has nothing to do with the actor himself or anything he may or may not have previously done. I don't think it’s the actor's fault.

It has everything to do with Kiligolas not looking anything like a dwarf (note the discussion above where people couldn't figure out whether he was a ranger or a cameraman who wandered into shot or whatever) and overall he just looks like a pretty boy Ranger...ergo Kiligolas. I would have called him "Kiligorn" but I thought that sounded weird.

Well seeing as you particularly like Dwarves, I can see I can't get round you

But for me, my particular 'thing' is Hobbits, and this is one race that Jackson gets consistently right in my eyes, so it tends to forgive him a host of sins. I've seen endless completely awful representations of Hobbits (the Hildegard Brothers and Ted Nasmith* being prominent offenders) so when I saw what Jackson had done with them I was delighted.

*I just want to take their paintbrushes away and tell them "Look, if you have an urge to paint pictures of stunted, twisted little people, then why don't you go and specialise in illustrating George RR Martin novels, I'm sure they could do with another picture of Tyrion Lannister". Grrr.

So...hmmm...yes....given my feelings on that then I can see why they don't make the grade for you!

[Kath]

FINALLY seen it! (No youtube at my house!)

I like it.

The Hobbit is a children's book. The film is not going to be a children's film. No point in making one as it wouldn't be worth it. I have accepted that now and am looking forward to it! I think if they are able to recreate the 'feeling' that Fellowship managed then it will hold enough of the hobbitness of the book to be enjoyable.

Martin Freeman looks fantastic. Beardgate aside the dwarves look pretty good. Gandalf looks much better as Gandalf the Grey and was far more canon-friendly in that guise in LotR.

I love that with Andy Serkis back as Gollum we are going to hopefully get a full version of Bilbo finding the Ring.

Ok, all the portentous "I won't be responsible for his fate" etc bits are a little over the top. That said, 'his fate' doesn't have to mean death. If you have an audience familiar with LotR it's actually a nice nod to the future plot. Which makes it slightly anachronistic for Thorin to be saying but if you will hang out with Wizards ...

Are we going to get more trailers given it's still a year away?!

[Galendor]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

What is there to be excited about? We know the plot and we know how PJ does things in ME - ad the trailer has confirmed it will be moulded to fit LOTR. The only variables are the additions and changes hinted at by casting which is more the macabre curiosity that inspires folk to rubberneck at a car crash rather than excitement.

I agree, good analogy. I also don't fully like of Jackson's "vision" of Middle Earth, nor the liberties he takes, and especially the silly parts designed to appeal to the masses. We will undoubtedly get boat-loads of the same in this movie. Sigh. I wish there had been a different director for The Hobbit, at least then we could expect something different. But there's nothing to be done about it, so despite it all I still look forward to this movie.

[Mithalwen]

Or wait for it to be on telly...

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Or wait for it to be on telly...

That's the ticket. Just as I'll not help George Lucas further line his pockets by buying his new Star Wars Blue-ray set (deleted scenes be darned), there's no reason I necessarily have to help PJ buy that new Bentley.