The Hobbit

[Bromptonboy]

We have been listening to the audiobook (unabridged) while on family trips to prepare.

[Bryancd]

I'm back from Erebor! Whew, lot's in the Desolation of Smaug, some familiar, and quite a bit brand new to create this triliogy. I had a great time, saw it in IMAX 3D, but the 3D wasn't too big a deal, so don;t feel compelled to see it that way. I loved it, although I think I may have liked An Unexpected Journey more. Spoilers below..

[spoiler]The elements which are in the book work very well for the most part, although I was a bit underwhelmed by the Beorn element and felt the barrel escape the elves was a bit over the top (kind of like the Goblin Town sequence in Unexpected Journey), and the spider of Mirkwood kind of feel been there down that after Shelob in LOTR. The Legolas/Tauriel inclusion works well, and she was terrifc, way better then Arwin. Some of the Laketown sequences drag a bit as well. A new element with Gandalf discovering the emerging Sauron was exciting and Smaug rocked the house. [/spoiler]

[Bromptonboy]

Thanks Bryan, I'll save the $'s on 3D then - since the whole family will go - and that ads up.  :)

[Rico]

IMAX means 3-D.  I love IMAX, so that's where I'm going Sunday, I think!

[Bryancd]

IMAX means 3-D.  I love IMAX, so that's where I'm going Sunday, I think!

Yeah, it wasn't bad, just minimal. Imax is DLP so the image is nice and bright.

[Rico]

Saw part 2 today in IMAX and really enjoyed it.  At this point, these films are really not "The Hobbit", but basically "The Lord of the Rings - The Early Years."  And, I'm along for the ride.  The new stuff was cool and fun to watch.  As Bryan has said, Evangeline Lilly makes a great elf in Tauriel.  I actually think this part moved better and seemed tighter than part one.  And Smaug - WOW!  Looks great in IMAX!  Perfect casting too for his voice.  Bring on Part 3!

[Bryancd]

I really want to go see it again while still in theaters.

[ChrisMC]

Evangeline Lily makes me feel kinda funny...like when we climbed the rope in gym class.. ;)

[jedijeff]

I saw this today in the HFR 3D, and really enjoyed it. I found it moved along quite well. I will have to admit, I have not read the book since I was a kid, so I really only had vague recollections of the story, some of the stuff Between Smaug and Bilbo was familiar to me. I think I liked this one over the first one, as the pace was just much more quicker, and I felt a bit more into middle earth. I liked the references to the LOTR scattered throughout, and liked the scenes where Legolas and Tauriel where fighting, as they looked so smooth.

[Bromptonboy]

Uggh, killing me that I haven't been to this one yet.

[Bromptonboy]

Saw this today.  Smaug was amazing, Tauriel was amazing, but I am very disappointed in the movie.  This seems to be the minority opinion - so I will chalk it off to me be a crotchety old guy who loves the original story.  Once I digest it - and it stops repeating on me..maybe I'll list my observations in a spoiler tag.  I think they were planning a Disney park ride when they wrote the script for this movie.

[Bryancd]

I wasn't as in love with this one as I was the first, either Pete, which does seem to be the minority opinion, but I still very muched enjoyed.

[Bromptonboy]

Here goes a few observations.  I don't want to rain on the anyone's parade, so I will not harp on about it.

Things I loved:
Smaug is magnificent!  BC is perfect for the voice - the CGI was brilliant.
Lake Town looked great.
It was visually thrilling to see these parts of Middle Earth.
[spoiler]I liked the inclusion of Legolas - since that is very logical.  Tauriel was amazing, and also a logical addition.  Evangeline is stunning.
Thranduil looks great.  Bard looks like what I had in my mind from the books.[/spoiler]
Things I didn't like so much:
[spoiler]I groaned from the story line between Tauriel and Fili.  I don't like the whole Azog - now Bolg chase and invasion of Lake Town.  The extended action scenes were like filler, and tedious.  It looks like he is setting up a ride for Disney or MGM - or mabye even a new theme park based on middle earth (which I wouldn't mind seeing!).[/spoiler]
Things I hated:
[spoiler]Gandalf being captures in Dol Goldur.  The pursuit while escaping from the Elven fortress in barrels.The biggest thing I hate about this movie - is Bilbo's diminished role.  He was much more clever and brave in the books - especially the escape from the Elven fortress.  He is more clever in the first encounter with Smaug in the book.  I hated the wormtongue like character that got added into the Lake Town scenes.  Beorn - while looking cool - has a diminished role.[/spoiler]
I could go on..
All that being said, I recognize that things have to change to appeal to a newer audience.  You can be certain I'll see the 3rd as well....and I'll hate myself for it.  :)

[Jobydrone]

Going this weekend with my daughter Riley, looking forward to it! 

[Rico]

I like this poster a lot!