The Hobbit
On Saturday I saw part 2 of Peter Jackson's Hobbit.
First, let me say that it was beautiful, and the sets and settings were awesome. And that if I were not familiar with the book, or I didn't care about it, I might well have liked it.
Note that I didn't say "part 2 of the Hobbit".
I left Part 1, thinking it was pretty good, largely faithful, and while I didn't like some of the changes I noticed I could see it being better for Hollywood and for drawing the folks who didn't already love the book into the movie.
I was concerned and disappointed that something had been left out of the first movie; I thought they'd gotten beyond that point. Near the start of this movie, I originally thought "Oh good! It's here." As soon as I realized where it was going, though, I turned cold and nearly rose out of my seat saying "Mr. Jackson. JUST WHAT are you playing at."
I had fear about the "original character" I'd heard would be introduced, however I didn't object to that character.
I didn't object to the extra story lines that were not part of what was front and center in the book, even if I wasn't sure that was "what had really happened".
I didn't mind the LOTR character who also appeared. I don't remember enough of his race and parentage to know if it makes sense that he be here, so I can't actually object.
I didn't mind the family members of one of the major characters who were introduced.
I didn't like the changes made to the scene at the back door.
I was slightly annoyed by the action they showed that I didn't think happened in the book. And I will not listen to people who say that they needed to pad things out, because he took out one of my favorite scenes. I did not like the changes made, trimming out a lot of story line just before they move from one scene to another. I am annoyed by the modifications to the time line made only to hype up the tension. And he took out other scenes that, even with my crappy memory I remember from the book. I grit my teeth at the possibly 45 minute setup (stuff that never happened in the book) of an admittedly awesome 5 second display. I am FURIOUS at gratuitous changes they made in the interactions between Bilbo & Smaug & the hoard of gold. My reaction to ... some of the other changes ... which can only have been put in there for the requisite (stupid!) Hollywood romance is more visceral.
My reaction to the movie: (1) I _may_ not see #3 (which would have been unheard of to even think before I saw this movie, tenacious as I am -- although I probably will, if only to get my bitchin' rights), (2) I am more angry with Peter Jackson than ever I was with Bakshi, and (3) I am rereading JRR Tolkien's Hobbit (again, for the 2nd time in about a year) to wash the taste out of my brain.
First, let me say that it was beautiful, and the sets and settings were awesome. And that if I were not familiar with the book, or I didn't care about it, I might well have liked it.
Note that I didn't say "part 2 of the Hobbit".
I left Part 1, thinking it was pretty good, largely faithful, and while I didn't like some of the changes I noticed I could see it being better for Hollywood and for drawing the folks who didn't already love the book into the movie.
I was concerned and disappointed that something had been left out of the first movie; I thought they'd gotten beyond that point. Near the start of this movie, I originally thought "Oh good! It's here." As soon as I realized where it was going, though, I turned cold and nearly rose out of my seat saying "Mr. Jackson. JUST WHAT are you playing at."
I had fear about the "original character" I'd heard would be introduced, however I didn't object to that character.
I didn't object to the extra story lines that were not part of what was front and center in the book, even if I wasn't sure that was "what had really happened".
I didn't mind the LOTR character who also appeared. I don't remember enough of his race and parentage to know if it makes sense that he be here, so I can't actually object.
I didn't mind the family members of one of the major characters who were introduced.
I didn't like the changes made to the scene at the back door.
I was slightly annoyed by the action they showed that I didn't think happened in the book. And I will not listen to people who say that they needed to pad things out, because he took out one of my favorite scenes. I did not like the changes made, trimming out a lot of story line just before they move from one scene to another. I am annoyed by the modifications to the time line made only to hype up the tension. And he took out other scenes that, even with my crappy memory I remember from the book. I grit my teeth at the possibly 45 minute setup (stuff that never happened in the book) of an admittedly awesome 5 second display. I am FURIOUS at gratuitous changes they made in the interactions between Bilbo & Smaug & the hoard of gold. My reaction to ... some of the other changes ... which can only have been put in there for the requisite (stupid!) Hollywood romance is more visceral.
My reaction to the movie: (1) I _may_ not see #3 (which would have been unheard of to even think before I saw this movie, tenacious as I am -- although I probably will, if only to get my bitchin' rights), (2) I am more angry with Peter Jackson than ever I was with Bakshi, and (3) I am rereading JRR Tolkien's Hobbit (again, for the 2nd time in about a year) to wash the taste out of my brain.