An Unexpected Journey, or the morning after

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

This idea that seems to be going around that it's your *duty* to watch this film mutiple times, even if you weren't very impressed the first time- well, it seems very odd to me.

Heh. You've certainly done some very creative reading

[Ben K.]

Yeah, I watched it a second time too. Wanted to experience HFR (did 2D the original time) since I have my doubts we'll see anyone else doing it anytime soon, but my AUJ virgin companion insisted on regular 2D. Theatre was still full at this point in the run and the movie got an ovation afterwards (which didn't happen on my first viewing on opening day, just overheard some disgruntled comments about dragon-teasing). In all honesty, I think this trilogy may be better received by the casual viewer than LOTR - if the after-movie reactions of the casual crowd and the LOTR fanboys is anything to compare.

I enjoyed it a lot more the second time around. I appreciated the childish nature of many scenes, Bilbo's character arc and thought things were set up well for the trilogy. Bilbo's betrayal of Thorin, Throrin's self delusion and Fili and Kili's deaths will pay off in the end barring some major missteps. Action scenes remain the only thing I would cut down on.

My only apprehension is the third movie and a potential two hour Battle of Five Armies.

[Rumil]

Hmm, Hoooom, indeed,

well at last I've seen it, and do you know, I quite enjoyed it overall.

Reading the present thread I find myself nodding along with or wincing painfully at many of the same points people have raised above.

But after all "He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom", or so some chap said once, so am not going to detail every niggle.

One thing I find very difficult is to try and imagine the film from the point of view of someone who doesn't know the book. I think this is all but impossible, The Hobbit has been with me for a very long time, as it has with most of you here. Perhaps this may explain some of the odder decisions, perhaps not.

My major frustrations with all the PJ films is that they have been astonishingly good at portraying the scenery, very good at finding the right actors to play the characters, and where they have stuck to the Book scenes and dialogue, have been wonderful. The divergent plots are generally the weakest in my view.

Certainly there was a choice to be made - go for the 'fairy' vibe with full on Tra-la-la-lallying or choose the 'Quest of Erebor' route. In my mind from a LoTR perspective this means choosing the real story rather than Frodo's bedtime tale. It had to be this way really.

People have commented that Thorin seems to have been more prominent than Bilbo. I wonder if that might have been the way to go all along? The Saga of Thorin.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Heh. You've certainly done some very creative reading

I don't think so- I've noticed quite a few people saying things like that, and I'm just saying, it seems odd to me. Maybe some people find movies tend to grow on them with repeated viewing, or something. But I realise my earlier post sounds rather accusing, which wasn't my intention.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I dislike how the Wargs never get to kill anyone in these movies. They could surely have sacrificed a few of those Rivendell elves, no?

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

I don't think so- I've noticed quite a few people saying things like that, and I'm just saying, it seems odd to me. Maybe some people find movies tend to grow on them with repeated viewing, or something. But I realise my earlier post sounds rather accusing, which wasn't my intention.

Not on here. I don't think anyone here would claim it was your duty to see the film multiple times - either see it or not! The only duty anyone has is paying their taxes

I enjoyed it more the second time which is highly unusual, as the law of diminishing returns generally applies to films and TV. But I put it down to the absolute assault of stuff that seeing it for the first time involved. Plus those stupid 3D glasses. I now look at this icon ----> differently...

[Bêthberry]

TH:AUJ is shut out of the big Oscar nominations, getting nominations only for Makeup and Hair Design, Production Design, and Visual Effects. Nothing for direction, music, acting, best film. 2013 Oscar Nominations

[Ulvenok]

Oh yes and while Gollum is very well made, the alien in prometheus is also very well done. While some of the special effects in the hobbit looks fake...would be nice to see it get no oscars, then maybe jackson would step up his game for the next movies.

[elvet]

I will be seeing it again in regular 3D. That will make it 5 viewings. I concidered travelling to see it in IMAX again, but the combination of 3 hours in the car and 3 hours in the theater leaves my back sore.
As I have mentioned, I like the movie. I like the movie going experience, and that is part of the urgency to see it so many times. In a few short weeks, the only other choice for seeing it will be at home. Irregardless of how good a home theater one can have - dogs bark, cats want on laps, phone rings, etc. Because I will wait to buy the extended edition I may not see this again for almost a year, and right now that just seems too long.

[Michael Murry]

Originally Posted by elvet

... Because I will wait to buy the extended edition I may not see this again for almost a year ....

I saw this movie once, and thought that I already had seen the extended edition. In light of this, the lack of an Oscar nomination for Film Editing seems perfectly rational to me.