Posted on 12/06/2013 3:31:21 PM PST by BenLurkin
eter Jackson has picked up the pace. He began his Hobbit trilogy at an amiable, meanderingly wayward canter, and tried the patience of believers and non-believers alike with that initial supper scene, almost an epic in itself. But this second episode commences with a narrative whipcrack – a quick flashback to Gandalf and Thorin tensely discussing their great plan in the snug bar of the Prancing Pony – and then we're off, at a tremendous gallop.
The Desolation of Smaug is a cheerfully entertaining and exhilarating adventure tale, a supercharged Saturday morning picture: it's mysterious and strange and yet Jackson also effortlessly conjures up that genial quality that distinguishes The Hobbit from the more solemn Rings stories. The absurdity is winning: you're laughing with, not laughing at. For me, it never sagged once in its mighty two hour 40 minutes running time and the high-frame-rate projection for this film somehow looks richer and denser than it did the last time around. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. Jackson has shown that he is an expert in big-league popular movie-making to rival Lucas and Spielberg. His Smaug, with its fight scenes, chase spectaculars, creepy creatures and secret stone doors opening with a grinding noise, is something to set alongside the Indiana Jones films.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
When I go to the movies, I want to be caught up in a story. High Frame Rate makes me caught up in a set, in makeup, in feeling like I'm pushed around in a wheelbarrow through something fake. It feels like looking at a full-motion diorama.
I haven’t seen the second one yet, but the first was mostly a snoozer. He should probably have cut this down to two films, max. Not everything has to be a trilogy, it’s getting ridiculous.
I just couldn’t get past what a bad movie the first one was.
I can’t take three movies for one book.
The Hobbit is not a long book. There is no reason in the world why a movie picture adaptation should exceed 120 minutes. Total.
If they took out all the walking it would only be 30 minutes long.
What? BenLurkin because you’re afraid that people will find out how terrible your taste in movies is? Just saying.
I liked it quite a bit.
I disagree. While Peter Jackson should have included only relevant background material in the Hobbit, it should be as long as it needs to be.
In the Hobbit’s case, three movies might have been too much, but it certainly would have needed two movies to tell the whole story.
You can call me Ben, Newbie.
I haven’t seen the first one. If it’s that bad, then maybe Jackson should’ve done a “scouring of the Shire” in its place.
I did see the first installment of “The Hobbit”. I enjoyed it; found the storytelling, acting, cinematography engaging throughout.
IMO, if someone found it boring, the problem is elsewhere than the film itself ...
Some of us like to wallow in our fantasy. TLOTR brushed over too many potential stories for me. Eight long movies for Harry Potter seemed rushed to me. ;-)
I loathed the farce of the dwarves running around in the goblin cave.
I loved LOTR Trilogy but was very disappointed there was no scouring. Nearly my favorite part of the books.
There are some great bits in the first one - some bits did seem superfluous like the mountain battle or whatever it was called and it pretty well jumped the with shark with some of the action stuff in the Goblin Kings cave. It is not LOTR and does not try to be - it is far more lighthearted. The Desolation of Smaulg doesn’t come out here until the day after Christmas - looking forward to it!
It has it’s moments, it’s just bloated, like they stretched it out to fill up a trilogy. The last hour is worth waiting for though, if you can make it.
How ironic. Somebody complaining about trilogies when it comes to works of Tolkien.
“The Desolation of Smaug”
What is a Smaug?
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