Critics review 'An Unexpected Journey'

Tin is in my black book. "More later" she says - I'll have run out of buckie by then!

I am so glad I saw the movie the 12th.. because I am not so pissed off of all the spoilers I thought the cgi was good, particularly Azog.

Tin - Shame about the 3D. Thought it looked great in 48FPS 3D.

Petty - However much you think you would need to watch Fellowship in full for the first time. There is lots to like but also lots to really not like!

its an Elk not a Moose.

If you were Elthir, I would point out that a Moose is technically an Elk.

Slate posted a review from two Hobbit "virgins" that I thought was pretty funny and highlighted an issue with the film. Namely, that it panders a lot and was clearly made for pre-existing fans and not really anyone else. Interestingly, that's the exact opposite approach from what PJ did with FOTR.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/im/2012/12/the_hobbit_movie_reviewed_by_tolkien_virgins_does_the_peter_jackson_film.single.html

well Petty must be in the middle of the film by now. I havent heard any long drawn out Nazgul screams coming from Scotshobbitlandia, so maybe he likes it. that would be weird.

More likely his mates tied him down and stuffed his sporran in his mouth so they could watch the movie in peace.....

Petty and Ringdrotten should both be watching the movie right now.

I know, its an odd thought, whats going through that noodle of his.
its going to take him ages to get home too. He needs a bunny sled.

shall we take bets on how much he hates it? I say he hates pretty much all of it apart from Riddles in the Dark, and I bet even that wont pass muster. probably has the wrong type of underground rock or summat. maybe its not grey enough.

can anyone hear drums? drums in the deep? I think its coming from a Scotshobbits little legs, drumming in frustration.

Ugh I just know I'll be sitting here refreshing until Petty gives a blow by blow review.

you may be a long time waiting. Petty has to get a boat, a train and a bus to get to civilization. and back.
I am not kidding either.

yup thats about right.

what would be even scarier. He likes the film.

I think the whole forum might implode if that turns out to be the case.

I have had a bit of time to digest things, and I have come to the conclusion that its a good solid effort from PJ with a few niggles. But the reason I dont rate it as much as LOTR is that I am not as emotionally invested in the Quest as I was for Frodo and Sam. Its just not epic enough, but the film is trying very hard to make the Quest epic. Its just not. Thats why they have made Thorin the focus, to turn the story into a more heroic and tragic one. Thats fine, as it makes for stirring cinema, but for anyone who has read the book, its a bit forced. I dont mind it, and I think RA is going to be a great Thorin, but personally I would have preferred a smaller scale and the focus to be on Bilbo more. I would have preferred a more intimate cozy whimsical feel, with big landscapes to show how small and lonely Bilbo feels. But Its good, very good in parts. I liked Dale and Erebor, that was pretty amazing, and the Eagles were beautifully filmed. The Dwarves are going to get better too, Bofur is my favourite at the moment.

I think that's an very fair assessment.

Agreed, I don't like how Thorin is having his own overarching storyline with Azog, and I was palming my forehead at the end of the film, not only because it never happened, but also because it had no point! It gave Bilbo a chance to prove himself to Thorin, but that's it.

When they're all flying with the eagles, it reminded me of Beren and Luthien, flying over Gondolin

I thought Bilbos telling Thorin he stayed to help them find a home was very good. it made the Quest seem worthwhile all of a sudden.

I agree, that was probably my favorite scene in the entire movie. Martin Freeman did a great job with the material he had to work with but that scene elevated the character of movie!Bilbo to greater relevance and meaning.

Also, Petty should be done watching the movie about now. We just have to wait till he gets home.

cumon Petty! spill the beans.