(no subject)
So I went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug today and I quite liked it.
As always, things were tinkered with/added/subtracted etc from the original story but it didn't detract from the experience as a whole.
I would have liked a longer bit with Beorn, though hopefully that will be in the extended edition dvd, he was in maybe 15 minutes of the film, and I don't recall him being quite as crazed in his bear form as they were saying he was in the movie. I liked Smaug's design, even though it was wyvern-y, as he has no forelimbs but gets about quite well on his 'wing arms'. But his voice was loverly, and the effects on him were great, showing him almost swimming through heaps of gold, and in general very expressive and fluid movement. I also liked where they ended this installment, with him heading to Laketown to destroy it.
The attraction between Tauriel and Kili, of course, was not in the book, especially since Tauriel was added specifically for the movie, but I didn't object too strongly to its addition. Was also amused how the Master of Laketown's head lackey was rather reminiscent of Wormtongue, in a fashion. I guess all sycophants have similar characteristics.
Assorted other musings: it was neat how they framed Sauron's 'return', with a creative image of the Eye, Legolas actually got a bloody nose, which amused me, but he was still surfing on things, enemies, and whatnot. Bard's character seemed rather less heroic that he was portrayed in the book, but given the situation of his family, and the town, I can see why he is how he is. All in all, I enjoyed the film, and am glad we only have to wait six months for the third installment (though I still hold they could have done it in two, but the extra material does flesh out the story nicely)
Now I need a toy Smaug to sit and gloat on my desk. Yes. *skims the toys r us website*
Also saw a preview for a new Godzilla movie. Hopefully it's better than the 1998 version. (Which, honestly, wasn't horrid, I just don't think it should have been a "Godzilla" movie. Random mutated giant monster attacking a city? Fine, I loves me some monster movies. But it's not Godzilla.)
As always, things were tinkered with/added/subtracted etc from the original story but it didn't detract from the experience as a whole.
I would have liked a longer bit with Beorn, though hopefully that will be in the extended edition dvd, he was in maybe 15 minutes of the film, and I don't recall him being quite as crazed in his bear form as they were saying he was in the movie. I liked Smaug's design, even though it was wyvern-y, as he has no forelimbs but gets about quite well on his 'wing arms'. But his voice was loverly, and the effects on him were great, showing him almost swimming through heaps of gold, and in general very expressive and fluid movement. I also liked where they ended this installment, with him heading to Laketown to destroy it.
The attraction between Tauriel and Kili, of course, was not in the book, especially since Tauriel was added specifically for the movie, but I didn't object too strongly to its addition. Was also amused how the Master of Laketown's head lackey was rather reminiscent of Wormtongue, in a fashion. I guess all sycophants have similar characteristics.
Assorted other musings: it was neat how they framed Sauron's 'return', with a creative image of the Eye, Legolas actually got a bloody nose, which amused me, but he was still surfing on things, enemies, and whatnot. Bard's character seemed rather less heroic that he was portrayed in the book, but given the situation of his family, and the town, I can see why he is how he is. All in all, I enjoyed the film, and am glad we only have to wait six months for the third installment (though I still hold they could have done it in two, but the extra material does flesh out the story nicely)
Now I need a toy Smaug to sit and gloat on my desk. Yes. *skims the toys r us website*
Also saw a preview for a new Godzilla movie. Hopefully it's better than the 1998 version. (Which, honestly, wasn't horrid, I just don't think it should have been a "Godzilla" movie. Random mutated giant monster attacking a city? Fine, I loves me some monster movies. But it's not Godzilla.)