miriel68 wrote:

I am probably the only person here who didn't like the movie. In fact, I found it even worse that the first one, which at least retained SOME of Tolkien atmosphere. I liked some scenes (spiders, Thranduil - Thorin confrontation) and the whole Dragon - Bilbo scene (then, sadly, Dragon began to chase the dwarves relentlessly without killing a single one of them, transforming himself from menacing into stupid), but the movie as a whole, I found it just boring. I don't mind Jackson "betraying" the spirit of original book, it is his creative licence, but the whole thing felt like a pale LOTR rip-off to me: I was catching myself thinking: yes, we saw it there... yes, it is almost identical as... only in LOTR the same things had a much deeper emotional impact. There are far too many orcs and too many action sequences in it, IMO, and not enough space for characters: Martin Freeman, for example, had been almost pushed to background and he has very few chances to show his development as a character. Thorin has been reduced to a gloomy I-want-to-reclaim-my-kingdom-and-I-am-very-serious-about-it figure. All the actors are good (may be with the exception of Orlando Bloom, but this is not a surprise), but they aren't given enough material to shine. It is no surprise, therefore, that the Dragon comes as the most nuanced personality in the whole film

You are right. But I still think that it is worth watching because some scenes are impressive and inventive. I just try to focus on the good parts and "delete" the others.

miriel68 wrote:

I am probably the only person here who didn't like the movie. In fact, I found it even worse that the first one, which at least retained SOME of Tolkien atmosphere. I liked some scenes (spiders, Thranduil - Thorin confrontation) and the whole Dragon - Bilbo scene (then, sadly, Dragon began to chase the dwarves relentlessly without killing a single one of them, transforming himself from menacing into stupid), but the movie as a whole, I found it just boring. I don't mind Jackson "betraying" the spirit of original book, it is his creative licence, but the whole thing felt like a pale LOTR rip-off to me: I was catching myself thinking: yes, we saw it there... yes, it is almost identical as... only in LOTR the same things had a much deeper emotional impact. There are far too many orcs and too many action sequences in it, IMO, and not enough space for characters: Martin Freeman, for example, had been almost pushed to background and he has very few chances to show his development as a character. Thorin has been reduced to a gloomy I-want-to-reclaim-my-kingdom-and-I-am-very-serious-about-it figure. All the actors are good (may be with the exception of Orlando Bloom, but this is not a surprise), but they aren't given enough material to shine. It is no surprise, therefore, that the Dragon comes as the most nuanced personality in the whole film

I'm going to see it today and I actually fear that afterwards I will have to agree with you. I had my problems with Part 1 (just like Harriet), where I already thought more than once 'okay, been there, done that in LOtR'. And chances are... it won't get any better in Part 2.
And I freely admit: if it weren't for Martin and Benedict, I probably wouldn't go and see Part 2 at all.
 

I would like to see the original in a cinema; just to hear the two voices of you know who.
And get to know the dwarves a bit better.

Last edited by Be (December 17, 2013 2:51 pm)

Why would anyone hate it? It's a movie to have fun with. I don't take it too seriously. It can be a matter of  fan's obsessive expectations. Always dangerous to get too involved. Be aware of the sentiment, Sherlock would probably say.

Tolkien purists hate it because of Tauriel, who I actually like. I don't even mind the love story; I think it's rather sweet and Aidan plays it so well ^^ And some just hate it because they hated the first one, even if they haven't seen this one *shakes head*

I watch a movie because I want to be entertained. If I want Tolkien's vision, I've got the book. Peter Jackson makes these films for escapism. I think we can all appreciate that these days.

This is from the sneak peek that was done back in March. Obviously didn't make it into the final movie, will probably be in the extended cut, though 

http://royal-nephews.tumblr.com/post/46196454470/peptomilkshake-anonymous

Are you referring to my post, kitty? Then please read it more carefully.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/reviews-of-ithe-hobbit-th_b_4451881.html

^^

It's alright, kitty, I know you enjoy the film very much 

Well, it's all a matter of taste in the end, isn't it? A lot of people like the film, others don't quite like it all that much, what's the problem? It seems to me, kitty, as if you're taking it almost personally when someone says that he/she didn't like the movie. It's great that you like it and that you are willing to spend money on a ticket for the third time. There are movies out there where I did the same (STID, for example), but I wouldn't go and see this one a second time.

I had a good time this afternoon watching it, but there still were things in it where I thought 'okay, alright, let's move on'. Too much of Orks, not enough Hobbit in The Hobbit for my personal taste.
I don't know the book, but the movie really makes me wonder why it's called "The Hobbit". I would have loved to see much more of him, not just because of Martin, but because everyone was going on about Bilbo's development and that he is more courageous now. And yes, I suppose he is more courageous now, but still... he didn't really have a chance to speak too many lines, did he? When he finally encounters Smaug I really had to laugh at one point, because Smaug rambles on and on and on - and I suppose it's only natural, after all he really didn't get a chance to chat with someone for a very long time, right?  And when Bilbo answers him, the stuff he says is pretty funny.
But still, it's just not enough Bilbo for me. The Orks were getting on my nerves, and I'm not sure yet what to make of Tauriel. Introduce a female Elb, fine.Yes, she knows how to fight. But of course she's also there as a love interest... is that really necessary...?

So, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it, either. It's a decent movie, that's for sure. But I'd say it lies in the nature of things that not everyone will like it - and please, nobody is obliged to like it, right?