The LOTR trilogy was an epic that will remain relevant for generations as will the books themselves. The LOTR speaks to the very heart of western values and civilization. In effect, Tolkien’s objective was just that. He interwove Judea-Chistianity over pagan Roman, Celtic, and Saxon/Nordic mythologies and race memories.....in effect, exactly what Western Civ is all about. Peter Jackson’s challenge there was to cut the 3 volume classic down to fit into the 10 to 12 hour total run time (depending on the many versions he marketed)
The Hobbit was written first, by Tolkien’s own admission, as a bedtime story for his kids.
The Hobbit suffers in over-stretching what is at it’s heart a short story into another 12 hour over-commercialized epic. It shows, but is still better than most sci-fi or fantasy work. The Hobbit (both book and film) lacks the well done and deep studies in personalities and inner as well as outer angst of men and women in conflict with the evil of this world and the next.
All that said, I will/have seen everyone of them 3x in the theater and then buy the first cut, the director’s cut, and the boxed set extended version with commentary as they are released.
And I will participate breathlessly in discussions like this, because in the end, I am a geek and embrace it.
I first read LOTR while still in school...many years ago. And reread it and reread it.
I don’t know if the movies were really that good or if I superimposed my conception of how things were in the books.
Your point about The Hobbit is absolutely correct. A pretty good short story without the depth of LOTR.
But making money is the name of the game...and maybe someone will be compelled to read the books.
The Hobbit movie should have been made in a single episode.
I understand the economics of making three movies, but they should at least have the honesty to admit that they whored themselves for money, and not claim it is “art.” It is not art. It is three paychecks instead of one. Period.
Well and truly said, brother. :-)