The Hobbit

[NEONKNIGHT]

Peter Jackson, Oscar-winning director of the Lord of the Rings movies, has signed a deal to produce two films based on JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit.
The filmmaker had been in dispute with New Line Cinema over income generated by the first film in the Rings trilogy.

"I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us," said Jackson. "We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth."

A director for the films - prequels to the Rings movies - has yet to be named.

Source:-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7150644.stm

:D

[zing_deleted]

excellent news

[Delta Whiskey]

I'm surprised they're making two films, are they going to call them:

1 There
2 and Back Again

[Tezcatlipoca]

... he's not directing them though :(

[Caff]

Oooooh Goody

I hope Bill Bailey gets a part :)

[NEONKNIGHT]

... he's not directing them though :(

Maybe not directing the picture but he is 'THE MAN' executive producer. It'll still be his film.

I'm hoping Jack Black gets a part in the movie.. ;)

[Maggy]

.

I'm hoping Jack Black gets a part in the movie.. ;)

Why?What film in his repertoire leads you to believe he would be ideal?:erm:

---------- Post added at 22:52 ---------- Previous post was at 22:48 ----------

Oooooh Goody

I hope Bill Bailey gets a part :)

Why?

[NEONKNIGHT]

Why?What film in his repertoire leads you to believe he would be ideal?:erm:

Because he look's like a hobbit already! :D I think he has a good range of acting skills to be honest.

[Caff]

Why?What film in his repertoire leads you to believe he would be ideal?:erm:

Why?
---------- Post added at 22:52 ---------- Previous post was at 22:48 ----------

He's already part-troll and would make a superb hobbit :)
........ he didn't get a part in LOTR though...
Oh forget it...............:D

[Maggy]

I'm sorry but most readers of Tolkien have had a humour bypass and would rather a 'serious' actor was chosen. ;)

[NEONKNIGHT]

I'm sorry but most readers of Tolkien have had a humour bypass and would rather a 'serious' actor was chosen. ;)

Most definately. It's hard to believe I know but some readers/fans of Tolkien's work think its actually TRUE!!!! Now there's a very scary thought. :erm:

:)

[dilli-theclaw]

I must admit it has been well over fifteen years since I last read this properly, so I look forward to the films with interest. But I suppose I'd better see if I can find an audiobook version.

[Cobbydaler]

I must admit it has been well over fifteen years since I last read this properly, so I look forward to the films with interest. But I suppose I'd better see if I can find an audiobook version.

Here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hobbit-Unabridged-Audio-Set-AUDIOBOOK/dp/0007146906/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198178559&sr=8-2)

Bit pricey though! :erm:

[dilli-theclaw]

Wow that is a bit expensive!

[Cobbydaler]

Wow that is a bit expensive!

Well I suppose it's unabridged & only £4.50 a CD...

I wonder if there are any Trolls unabridge? :erm:

:tiptoe:

[sir_drinks_alot]

thay should get cat stevens to do the soundtrack :)

[maddyp]

ooh now you have got me thinking of bill bailey as a hobbit and singing "oh baby baby its a wild world..."

[Maggy]

thay should get cat stevens to do the soundtrack :)

:eh:

Don't think he's into writing sound tracks and he's not called Cat Stevens anymore.

Such random responses in this thread.:)

[12noon]

If i can remember back to when i read the books, the "Hobbit" was a thin-ish book and the "Lord of the Rings" was 3 bigger books. So how are they going to make two films out of the "Hobbit" ?

[dilli-theclaw]

More delays?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7240421.stm

[tweetypie/8]

Source:-http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7150644.stm

:D


happy days !!

[Maggy]

happy days !!


Are you on the same planet? Did you not notice post #20? :confused:

[alferret]

Heard about this on the radio, newline cinema paid the up front of £32k and has renegged on the reas of the deal which was 7.5% of gross box office takings plus a precentage of aftersales DVD's but not merchandise.

Also the Tolkein estate want to remove the licence for the 2 hobbit films from newline cinema as they feel they will not get any monies agreed for the films.

I agree with the estate, why should they trust newline with the Hobbit.

[maddyp]

so that explains why bill baily has gone off to skins instead of waiting for his hobbit part
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=28092220

[Tezcatlipoca]

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22440

Confirmed:

The deal is done.

Guillermo del Toro will be directing The Hobbit, which will be done as two back-to-back movies.



del Toro previously directed Cronos, Blade 2, Hellboy, Pan's Labyrith, and Hellboy 2, amongst others.

A good choice, I think :)

[NEONKNIGHT]

If i can remember back to when i read the books, the "Hobbit" was a thin-ish book and the "Lord of the Rings" was 3 bigger books. So how are they going to make two films out of the "Hobbit" ?

If I'm reading the following correctly (?) this seems to suggest that they are doing The Hobbit as one film and some sort of 'back ground in-between film' aswell ????

That means we're looking at release dates in 2011 and 2012, assuming shooting starts next year, for The Hobbit and an in-between-quel set in the 77-odd years that pass between that story and The Lord of the Rings.

Source for this is taken from Matt's link to who is directing the film:-http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22440

[maddyp]

great, this will and give the staff in the games workshop a reason to exist.. ;)

[dilli-theclaw]

MMMmmm The Hobbit to be (possibly) in 3d?
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a206005/del-toro-confirms-hobbit-3d-talks.html

Whatever - I'm just happy it's all still being done :)

[Hom3r]

I've been waiting for ages for the to make this film.

Peter Jacksons going to be very busy, what with the Dambusters remake and the 22-part Hobbit to make

[Maggy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11560411


Filming on The Hobbit is set to begin in February after it was finally given the go-ahead by film studio bosses.
Warner Bros also announced that Peter Jackson, who directed the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, would helm the two-part prequel.
The films, based on JRR Tolkien's book, had been delayed for months due to MGM Studios' - which owns half the project - ongoing financial woes.

[Lew]

Excellent! :)

[Kymmy]

After months of delay filming is finally underway

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12803125

[Hom3r]

The only annoying thing is that it will be 2 years before the dambusters film will start :(

[Will21st]

Finally,can't wait to see this!Especially since they are using the new RED EPIC cameras that can shoot at up to 5K/120fps! :shocked:

This should look amazing in 3D! (or 2D for those who don't like extra dimensions ;) )

[denphone]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a356330/stephen-fry-on-the-hobbit-peter-jackson-had-me-eating-testicles.html

Stephen Fry has said that he plays a "very gross figure" in Peter Jackson's upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit. The actor told Digital Spy that his Master of Laketown in the two-part film recalls Jackson's earlier work in movies like Bad Taste and Brain Dead.

"He had me eating testicles... gross appetites. I mustn't give too much away but I've got a bald cap and then on top of that a really bad combover wig and this wispy moustache and wispy beard and horrible blotchy skin and disgusting fingernails

The Hobbit will be divided into two parts and released as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on December 14, 2012, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13, 2013

Andy Serkis has said that the first trailer for The Hobbit will be released before the end of this month.


Can't wait to see the trailer.:cool:

[devilincarnate]

The actor told Digital Spy that his Master of Laketown in the two-part film recalls Jackson's earlier work in movies like Bad Taste and Brain Dead.

Two brilliant movies

[denphone]

Two brilliant movies

Yes they were excellent films.

[martyh]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a356330/stephen-fry-on-the-hobbit-peter-jackson-had-me-eating-testicles.html











Can't wait to see the trailer.:cool:

just a shame it's going to be so long to see them ..2 yrs before the conclusion :(

[denphone]

just a shame it's going to be so long to see them ..2 yrs before the conclusion :(

Yes personally l cannot wait to see them as l loved the LOTR trilogy.

[martyh]

Yes personally l cannot wait to see them as l loved the LOTR trilogy.

Ditto
I read the Silmarilion as a child which introduced me to the world of Tolkien and have read all the Middle earth stories many times over

[Caff]

Hmphhhh - no Bill Bailey - would have livened it up for me.

[denphone]

Hmphhhh - no Bill Bailey - would have livened it up for me.

You will still be very impressed when the film does arrive at the cinema though Caff.:)

[Caff]

You will still be very impressed when the film does arrive at the cinema though Caff.:)
I hope so :)

[denphone]

http://www.facebook.com/WetaWorkshop/posts/10150417729917303

http://twitter.com/#!/search/warner%20bros


Warner Bros announces release of The Hobbit trailer on their Twitter page today : "Get your 1st look at the return to Middle-earth on 12/21 when the trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey plays before Tintin Movie!"

[soup dragon]

here are some video blogs from Peter Jackson

video 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8Flmbcv-H_g

video 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jKnWSYg2DC8

video 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8QFv0GTjg20

video 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u5WkkcI8yFw

[Will21st]

Yes they were excellent films.

'I'm a Derek,and Derek's don't run! :D

'I kick a*** for the Lord!!' :D

Jackson said they were remastering his older films to be released on Blu-ray,but so far nothing... :(

Meet the Feebles is also excellent,imo. :)

[Chris]

Jackson said they were remastering his older films to be released on Blu-ray,but so far nothing... :(


I imagine the Weta guys are probably a bit busy at the moment. ;)

Besides, the sensible time to re-release LOTR would be after The Hobbit is out, for maximum exposure and interest levels.

[Will21st]

I imagine the Weta guys are probably a bit busy at the moment. ;)

Besides, the sensible time to re-release LOTR would be after The Hobbit is out, for maximum exposure and interest levels.

I'm not talking LOTR ;)

Just checked,BrainDead has been released on Region A (North America) Blu-Ray,so that seems done. :)

Not sure if the films are even being remastered by WETA,but anyhow it wouldn't have mattered cause Jackson anounced the new masters when Guillermo del Toro was still supposed to direct The Hobbit.They've been worked on for a good while...

LOTR films will be converted to 3D in the not too distant future.... work which won't be done by WETA,but hopefully supervised by PJ himself.

[denphone]

The Hobbit trailer has just been released and what on your thoughts on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0k3kHtyoqc

[Chris]

:hyper:

[Sirius]

I so cannot wait for this film :hyper:

[denphone]

I so cannot wait for this film :hyper:

Yes me too.

[soup dragon]

looking forward to this, still not sure about 3D but will reserve final judgement.

[joglynne]

If that small taster is an accurate sample of what we will see then I shall be very happy.

[denphone]

Here's another taster trailer for The Hobbit.:hyper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alyXHIwwsi0

[martyh]

Here's another taster trailer for The Hobbit.:hyper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alyXHIwwsi0

you getting excited Den :D

[denphone]

you getting excited Den :D

Definitely as for me this is the most awaited film of the year.:)

[Chris]

That trailer has been out for months ...

[denphone]

Oh dear.:)

[LSainsbury]

That trailer has been out for months ...

That's just what I was thinking!

[Will21st]

Here's another taster trailer for The Hobbit.:hyper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alyXHIwwsi0

yeah,the trailer is old,Den... no harm done,though! ;)

The Hobbit films will be the technologically most advanced films to date,can't wait for these.

4K 3D at 48 frames per second... that'll be heaven for me!! :D

[tizmeinnit]

a good few of those who have seen some in 48 frames have not liked it

[Will21st]

a good few of those who have seen some in 48 frames have not liked it

and a good few of those who have seen it liked it....

I know people complained about the footage looking too realistic,but that is more down to the higher resolution than the frame rate.

Also,3D and 48 or even 60 FPS are a good match because it reduces general eye strain due to reduction of motion blur in fast paced scenes.

Can't wait to see what these technological advances will look like when combined.

[denphone]

Peter Jackson confirms that The Hobbit will become three films.:hyper:

http://www.totalfilm.com/news/peter-jackson-confirms-that-the-hobbit-will-become-three-films

[Chris]

I'm encouraged to hear him give the reasons why he's been able to make a trilogy out of a single book that was considerably shorter than any of the books in the Rings trilogy. Can't wait to see what he does with the extra material from the Appendices.

[Maggy]

Perhaps he can include all the parts of LOTR that he left out..but making a trilogy out of a days read does seem somewhat of a magical achievement.:erm:

[Will21st]

Perhaps he can include all the parts of LOTR that he left out..but making a trilogy out of a days read does seem somewhat of a magical achievement.:erm:
Well,I guess he'll add his own stuff just as he did with LOTR,I don't think he'll use left over scenes from LOTR though....

I wonder when the LOTR will be converted into 3D,can't be that far off now.IMO,it would make for a nice,uniform viewing experience. :)

[Hom3r]

I wonder how long each of the 3 films will be?

I saw TLOTR in the cinema on release and each was around 3 hours, I have since bought the 4 hour versions.

[Maggy]

Well,I guess he'll add his own stuff just as he did with LOTR,I don't think he'll use left over scenes from LOTR though....

I wonder when the LOTR will be converted into 3D,can't be that far off now.IMO,it would make for a nice,uniform viewing experience. :)

Not left over scenes but whole sections of the book that were not included.:rolleyes:

[Chris]

Not left over scenes but whole sections of the book that were not included.:rolleyes:

Given the length of the theatrical releases, I'd be curious to hear how you think he could have included any more material without spoiling them? AFAIK the purpose of moviemaking is to make a good movie, not to pickle novels in celluloid. ;)

[Maggy]

Given the length of the theatrical releases, I'd be curious to hear how you think he could have included any more material without spoiling them? AFAIK the purpose of moviemaking is to make a good movie, not to pickle novels in celluloid. ;)

:confused: Eh?Chris you are attributing opinions to me that I do not hold..I thought that the films were better for the removal of the material.

However I fail to see how a day's read book such as the Hobbit can possibly be made into a trilogy and I was facetiously suggesting that maybe Jackson was going to use the material he rejected from LOTR in the Hobbit.

No need to take issue with me at all..

[Chris]

No issues, just curiosity, as I said ^

If I'm hearing right, the Hobbit trilogy is not simply the novel of that name committed to film, it's the wider story of Bilbo and the other characters as revealed in both The Hobbit and Tolkein's Appendices.

[tizmeinnit]

That makes sense as Frodo is in it and he was not in The Hobbit at all

[Will21st]

Right,we're getting close to this now.

For anyone who's interested in seeing this in HFR 3D,as it is the way Peter Jackson intended you to see this I suggest you do,here's a list of theatres Odeon have confirmed so far. I will update the list over the next 2 weeks as it is NOT final!

Blackpool
Bournemouth
Brighton
Chelmsford
Dundee
Dunfermline
Glasgow Quay
Hatfield
Kensington
Kingston
Lincoln
Norwich
Trafford Centre
Tunbridge Wells
Wrexham Eagles Meadow

[Lew]

Watched it this afternoon. It was bloomin' brilliant!

[denphone]

Obviously not giving much away Lew was it as good as the films from the trilogy?.

[peanut]

Obviously not giving much away Lew was it as good as the films from the trilogy?.

They say it's over long, drawn out and the 48fps isn't good. And the 3D makes your head hurt. Oh and you'll probably get a sore arse for the running time.

[denphone]

They say it's over long, drawn out and the 48fps isn't good. And the 3D makes your head hurt. Oh and you'll probably get a sore arse for the running time.

Well l can always take a soft cushion with me.:)

[dilli-theclaw]

I do hope it's not ALL about the special effects as I'm going to an Audio described showing.

Trying to get Natalie to go too, but she doesn't fancy it.

[Lew]

They say it's over long, drawn out…

I didn't find that to be the case.

…and the 48fps isn't good. And the 3D makes your head hurt.

Watched it in 24fps 2D anyway as I took my Mum to see it. I'd still like to see it in 48fps 3D though.

[tizmeinnit]

what point in the story does it get to ? spoiler it if you want

[Qtx]

Not keen on the idea of Martin Freeman being Bilbo, but hoping those worries are misplaced!

[denphone]

Not keen on the idea of Martin Freeman being Bilbo, but hoping those worries are misplaced!

Martin Freeman is a excellent choice.

[Lew]

what point in the story does it get to ? spoiler it if you want

It ends just after they're rescued by the eagles

[Qtx]

The text from that spoiler was emailed to me lol.

[techguyone]

All I'll say is: it's good go see it, it's lighter in tone than LoTR but it's nice that there's familiar faces and it has the Peter Jackson LoTR universe 'feel'

I'll not go into more detail cause although I'm dying to, it's only been out a day, and not many will have seen it yet.

I saw it in ordinary 2D and it still looked as good as the LoTR cinematically, so it's not the poor cousin compared to 3D

[Qtx]

Martin Freeman is a excellent choice.

He normally plays gormless type characters, so its going to be hard to get that image out of my head unless he plays the part well enough to forget.

---------- Post added at 21:21 ---------- Previous post was at 21:19 ----------

All I'll say is: it's good go see it, it's lighter in tone than LoTR but it's nice that there's familiar faces and it has the Peter Jackson LoTR universe 'feel'

Think that was part of my worry. Kind of like when they changed Q in the James bond film.

[techguyone]

He does, it's excellent casting, he makes a great hobbit.

[Qtx]

He does, it's excellent casting, he makes a great hobbit.

Not heard anyone say otherwise so its looking promising :)

[chris9991]

I watched it in 3d HFR and I can understand where the criticisms come from but I think the picture was really good. I watched another movie straight after and the poorer visual quality was quite jarring.

[Lew]

I haven't seen any films in HFR yet but to me, 24fps is too slow for today's large cinema screens. Panning shots in particular look quite jerky to me at 24fps.

[Will21st]

Amazing film,48FPS 3D is the future of film,no doubt.

[Damien]

I went to see this. I didn't notice the higher frame rate, I was watching in 3D but didn't notice it...

I think they have messed up in making it three films. I don't it works and it feels rather confused and padded. It's also looking like The Hobbit itself, i.e the book, will have been completed in the second film so who knows what the third film will be?

[cimt]

Well didn't Tolkien have notes that he planned to use to expand The Hobbit after LOTR was written? It was mentioned on The Colbert Report (think it was that show) that Peter Jackson mentioned that they were using notes that Tolkien had written to expand the story.

[Damien]

Well didn't Tolkien have notes that he planned to use to expand The Hobbit after LOTR was written? It was mentioned on The Colbert Report (think it was that show) that Peter Jackson mentioned that they were using notes that Tolkien had written to expand the story.

I heard that and they're doing more stuff about the return of Sauron from the looks it, a sense of dark foreboding. It's still a bit weird and hacky though.

[Stephen]

I went to see this. I didn't notice the higher frame rate, I was watching in 3D but didn't notice it...

I think they have messed up in making it three films. I don't it works and it feels rather confused and padded. It's also looking like The Hobbit itself, i.e the book, will have been completed in the second film so who knows what the third film will be?
Not every 3D showing is in HFR. You really would notice if it was. Cineworld have a PDF indicating which 3D showings are HFR. So far its only 2-3 a day at some sites.

[Damien]

Not every 3D showing is in HFR. You really would notice if it was. Cineworld have a PDF indicating which 3D showings are HFR. So far its only 2-3 a day at some sites.

Ah yeah. I wasn't sure, additionally because I was watching in 3D I thought I might confuse it with the 3D stuff. I don't like watching in 3D but they've seemed to notice that it's not especially popular so decided to limit the 2D showings. :mad:

[Stephen]

Well they shot it in 3D so want to get the most amount of money from it.

I've a ticket booked for a HFR 3D showing tomorrow morning. It sounds interesting due to having no motion blur during fast moving scenes. I imagine if it works out then action movies will benefit from the HFR the most.

[denphone]

'The Hobbit' Wins The Holiday Box Office

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2013/01/02/the-hobbit-wins-the-holiday-box-office/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2013/jan/02/hobbit-life-of-pi-box-office

Impressive to say the least.

[Tezcatlipoca]

I still haven't seen this. I'm going to try and go this weekend. Standard 2D, though, as none of the cinemas in Cambridge are showing the HFR version and that's the only thing that would make me willing to pay for 3D.

I'm still confused as to how Jackson is stretching it out to three films. OK, I think he's using the LOTR appendices too for some stuff, and adding some of the things that would've happened "off the page" in The Hobbit, but still... three films?

[Derek]

I'm still confused as to how Jackson is stretching it out to three films.

By including long scenes of dwarves walking across some hills in New Zealand every five minutes and no one in the editing suite having the balls to tell him he could do with cutting a scene here and there.

[swoop101]

I hope to watch this later, my sons saw it at the cinema and said it was good.

[tizmeinnit]

By including long scenes of dwarves walking across some hills in New Zealand every five minutes and no one in the editing suite having the balls to tell him he could do with cutting a scene here and there.

it also takes 13 minutes to get to page one

[martyh]

I still haven't seen this. I'm going to try and go this weekend. Standard 2D, though, as none of the cinemas in Cambridge are showing the HFR version and that's the only thing that would make me willing to pay for 3D.

I'm still confused as to how Jackson is stretching it out to three films. OK, I think he's using the LOTR appendices too for some stuff, and adding some of the things that would've happened "off the page" in The Hobbit, but still... three films?


From what i heard that was a descision made by the studio not jackson .He originally intended on only making 2 films but the studio told him to make it 3 ,presumably for the increased box office and dvd revenue it would generate ,so he is using some of the bits from the Silmarillion to supplement the story ,which Warner bros do have the film rights for .
This was all on a radio interview i heard just before christmas ,i will try to find some links

---------- Post added at 19:38 ---------- Previous post was at 19:34 ----------

Jackson is confirming that he’s been given the go-ahead on Hobbit 3 from Warner Bros., which is funding the fantasy project. Initial reports say the movie will be a Summer 2014 release, breaking from the tradition where Jackson’s Middle-earth movies are released during December (and a year apart). That’s assuming The Hobbit: There and Back Again doesn’t change from a December 2013 release.


The genesis for a third Hobbit film stems from the supplementary material Tolkien wrote about the history of Middle-earth, going into far greater detail than either Tolkien’s original Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings (http://screenrant.com/tag/lord-of-the-rings/) book trilogy. The Silmarillion is one of the better-known examples (outside the inner circle of hardcore Tolkien fans, that is), but Jackson revealed that the Tolkien estate holds the film rights to that epic tome, during The Hobbit‘s Comic-Con panel (http://screenrant.com/comic-con-2012-hobbit-panel-recap-johnh-188367/). Deadline (http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/peter-jackson-confirms-the-hobbit-will-be-three-films/) has the scoop on Jackson announcing that Hobbit 3 is on the way, and the site reiterates several discussion points we’ve already raised. The biggest, of course, concerns continued public skepticism about whether the basic Hobbit story foundation can stretch to cover three movies without becoming thin (even with padding, in the form of additional Tolkien narrative material incorporated by Jackson and his writing staff).


http://screenrant.com/hobbit-3-movie-trilogy/




It seems that Jackson and his fellow filmmakers own the rights to 125 pages of the appendices that Tolkien published as the conclusion to the Return of the King novel. There have also been whisperings that Jackson has been drawing inspiration from an unpublished version of The Hobbit written by Tolkien, who fleshed out certain characters and retooled plot points so that the story has stronger ties to the Rings trilogy (note: that’s less official, more rumor at this stage).

[Angua]

Martipa (who does not like a lot of 3D) & I watched in the standard 3D format as this is all we get at our local Cineworld. Brilliant film, 3D used appropriately and the story flows brilliantly. So much so that even after 3 hours I would quite happily stayed and watched the next film. Son has seen it twice and he and my daughter are off to see it again on Wednesday.

Definitely does not feel stretched or padded, one particular significant section of the book even seemed shortened for the film. For me it felt like lessons learned in LOTR have been put to very good use in the Hobbit An Unexpected Journey. The pacing, characterisation and CGI work is cohesive, with Martin Freeman playing the younger Bilbo very well indeed.

Best film I have seen for a long time and I prefer this to LOTR.

[Kymmy]

Personally I preferred LOTR.. The hobbit was too linear in following the same group throughout most of the film, at least with LOTR it split into sub plots with the fellowship separating and being followed in their own stories. You can't fault the filming/fx but found myself wanting more side story than just following the group.

[tizmeinnit]

Martipa (who does not like a lot of 3D) & I watched in the standard 3D format as this is all we get at our local Cineworld. Brilliant film, 3D used appropriately and the story flows brilliantly. So much so that even after 3 hours I would quite happily stayed and watched the next film. Son has seen it twice and he and my daughter are off to see it again on Wednesday.

Definitely does not feel stretched or padded, one particular significant section of the book even seemed shortened for the film. For me it felt like lessons learned in LOTR have been put to very good use in the Hobbit An Unexpected Journey. The pacing, characterisation and CGI work is cohesive, with Martin Freeman playing the younger Bilbo very well indeed.

Best film I have seen for a long time and I prefer this to LOTR.

but there is the whole scene with Saruman and Galadriel and other bits added to add some sort of constancy with LOTR even Legolas is going to get some screen time . They have used Appendices and even parts of The Simarilian to turn a 2 movie story into 3 and whats with Azog? he was only mentioned in the book and was more of an appendage to LOTR where reference to the battle at Moria where some other Dwarf killed him. To me that whole role is just to fill out film one seeing as without there is not a main villian even though the necromancer who we never see is Sauron

Film 2 is The Desolation of Smaug so a lot has got to happen and I assume by the title we will see Smaugs death ( which was a bit of an anticlimax in the book) so Film 3 There and Back Again has the battle and then a bound to be drawn out epilogue I guess

[Angua]

but there is the whole scene with Saruman and Galadriel and other bits added to add some sort of constancy with LOTR even Legolas is going to get some screen time . They have used Appendices and even parts of The Simarilian to turn a 2 movie story into 3 and whats with Azog? he was only mentioned in the book and was more of an appendage to LOTR where reference to the battle at Moria where some other Dwarf killed him. To me that whole role is just to fill out film one seeing as without there is not a main villian even though the necromancer who we never see is Sauron

Film 2 is The Desolation of Smaug so a lot has got to happen and I assume by the title we will see Smaugs death ( which was a bit of an anticlimax in the book) so Film 3 There and Back Again has the battle and then a bound to be drawn out epilogue I guess
Perhaps it may include the bit with Tom Bombadil which might fit better in these films.

[tizmeinnit]

Perhaps it may include the bit with Tom Bombadil which might fit better in these films.

its possible :)

I did not even mention Radagast look at the role he has in TUJ he was mentioned once in the book. Ironically we didn't see him in LOTR even though he aided Saruman by getting Gandalf into the tower

[martyh]

Perhaps it may include the bit with Tom Bombadil which might fit better in these films.

wouldn't work ,apart from it being the wrong book Bilbo never met Bombadil

[tizmeinnit]

wouldn't work ,apart from it being the wrong book Bilbo never met Bombadil

He didn't meet Radagast either until the film lol

[martyh]

He didn't meet Radagast either until the film lol

Personally i think the 3rd book will build on the rise of the necromancer/sauron and his return to Mordor ,also there is scope to cover the change that happened to Saruman ,This is mostly covered in the appendices and happened after Bilbo returned home so this would make a direct link to the LOTR and mesh them quite nicely into a continuous story .

[Tezcatlipoca]

Back when this was going to be just two films, the second was going to be a "bridge" between The Hobbit and LOTR.

Although they don't have the rights to The Simarillion or the Lost Tales, there's a lot of material in the Appendices (which they do have the rights for), plus there are things in the book that IIRC were briefly mentioned but have been fleshed out in the film (e.g. Gandalf going off on wizard business becomes Gandalf meeting up with Saruman etc.).

Perhaps it would have been better if it wasn't called "The Hobbit", but instead was "Chronicles of Middle-earth part 1: The Hobbit", or something like that, given that it's not simply that one book being adapted into three films.

---------- Post added at 13:04 ---------- Previous post was at 13:03 ----------

Oh. I saw it last night. Loved it. I prefer the previous films, but I thought it was still very good.

[tizmeinnit]

Personally i think the 3rd book will build on the rise of the necromancer/sauron and his return to Mordor ,also there is scope to cover the change that happened to Saruman ,This is mostly covered in the appendices and happened after Bilbo returned home so this would make a direct link to the LOTR and mesh them quite nicely into a continuous story .

makes sense cuz it would also give us a reason to know Radagast

[denphone]

Smaug among most anticipated in 2013.

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/01/23/smaug-among-most-anticipated-in-2013/

Yes l am certainly looking forward to the next instalment.:hyper:

[denphone]

There and Back Again release date moved.

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/03/01/there-and-back-again-release-date-moved/

[Will21st]

and The Hobbit has reached a Billion worldwide!

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-hobbit-hits-425757

good news,bring on the Desolation!

[denphone]

and The Hobbit has reached a Billion worldwide!

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-hobbit-hits-425757

good news,bring on the Desolation!

Yes that's a impressive take and yes indeed bring on the next one.

[peanut]

Hopefully the next one will be better. It reminded me of the Harry Potters, way too long and when you've finished watching it and then try to sum it all up and you come to the conclusion of 'not a lot'. If someone asked me what it's about and what happened I'd struggle to say more than a couple of sentances, not good for a near 3 hour film.

And the effect were quite ropey at best. Quite disappointing really.

[Will21st]

Hopefully the next one will be better. It reminded me of the Harry Potters, way too long and when you've finished watching it and then try to sum it all up and you come to the conclusion of 'not a lot'. If someone asked me what it's about and what happened I'd struggle to say more than a couple of sentances, not good for a near 3 hour film.

And the effect were quite ropey at best. Quite disappointing really.

have you seen a different version of this film? In 48FPS 3D the CGI was absolutely incredible,state of the Art.a watershed moment,really. What didn't you like about the FX?

[denphone]

Trailer for Desolation of Smaug to Appear with Man of Steel?.

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/08/trailer-for-desolation-of-smaug-to-appear-with-man-of-steel/

Should be interesting.

[denphone]

'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' launches first trailer.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a489121/the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug-launches-first-trailer-video.html

:hyper::hyper::hyper:

[Chris]

Direct YouTube link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=idp6wjqG674

[Sirius]

Direct YouTube link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=idp6wjqG674

Thats a film i cannot wait to watch.

[peanut]

I hope it's better than the 1st one. Which shouldn't be too hard.

[Chris]

Get out of here, I loved the first one. :Yikes:

Just got it on DVD the other week .... I don't get out to the cinema as much as I used to.

[denphone]

I hope it's better than the 1st one. Which shouldn't be too hard.

Sorry peanut but l disagree strongly with you on that. :nono:

[peanut]

Sorry peanut but l disagree strongly with you on that. :nono:

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it I just wished the running time was cut in half then it would have been better. I've seen the LOTR trilogy quite a few times and really enjoyed that (apart from the over long ending) but the hobbit felt really flat and not a lot happened in it for the running time.

I prefer Game of Thrones, I know it's different obviously but if they made something epic like LOTRs or Hobbit for an adult audience then that would be really something. The hobbit felt like a disney film.

[denphone]

The Hobbit 3 Now Titled "The Battle of the Five Armies"

Read more at http://movies.cosmicbooknews.com/content/hobbit-3-now-titled-battle-five-armies#6UtFIyiuMHBopJbU.99

[adzii_nufc]

Both on Blu Ray now with UV codes. Picked em both up. With desolation it felt obvious I was watching characters on a set in specific scenes (even though we are it's not usually so noticeable) Great movie nonetheless.

[Angua]

Both on Blu Ray now with UV codes. Picked em both up. With desolation it felt obvious I was watching characters on a set in specific scenes (even though we are it's not usually so noticeable) Great movie nonetheless.
Part 2 never felt quite as finished as part 2 to me.

[joglynne]

Smaug's revenge, a town on fire AND the evil Eye Of Sauron: First look at dramatic trailer for The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2708990/The-Hobbit-Battle-Of-The-Five-Armies-trailer-promises-Smaugs-revenge-town-fire-AND-evil-Eye-Of-Sauron.html

[denphone]

Its looking good.:hyper:

[Sirius]

Its looking good.:hyper:It is indeed :D

[denphone]

The new and final trailer for Peter Jackson's third and final Hobbit film, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAgTiBrrDA