The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Review Thread (Spoilers)

[tommyboy81]

So the 48fps is not supposed to cause your vision to be blurry? I've never been able to get my eyes focused just right 3D movies. It always looks blurry out of my right eye? Sometimes it feels like my eye is going crosseyed. I guess it's trying to adjust. I zlso wear glasses and have Astigmatism in both eyes.

My worst 3D experience was Transformers: DotM IMAX 3D. Sat 4 rows back, far right. Had to tilt my head a certain way and keep it because the whole screen would get blurry. Had a really nasty headache at the end.

But I am seeing The Hobbit in IMAX 3D. It's a different IMAX (better looking picture than the last one.) but the screen is not as huge. It's not small but it's not the 7 story tall one I saw Transformers in.

[Rainhurt]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

So the 48fps is not supposed to cause your vision to be blurry? I've never been able to get my eyes focused just right 3D movies. It always looks blurry out of my right eye? Sometimes it feels like my eye is going crosseyed. I guess it's trying to adjust. I zlso wear glasses and have Astigmatism in both eyes.

My worst 3D experience was Transformers: DotM IMAX 3D. Sat 4 rows back, far right. Had to tilt my head a certain way and keep it because the whole screen would get blurry. Had a really nasty headache at the end.

But I am seeing The Hobbit in IMAX 3D. It's a different IMAX (better looking picture than the last one.) but the screen is not as huge. It's not small but it's not the 7 story tall one I saw Transformers in.

Hopefully you get a better seat for Hobbit. Watching movies in the first few rows is awful even for a 2D movie yet alone 3D. I don't even know why they bother putting seats that close, only silly teenagers who like to run around the theatre ever sit in them.

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by Rainhurt

Hopefully you get a better seat for Hobbit. Watching movies in the first few rows is awful even for a 2D movie yet alone 3D. I don't even know why they bother putting seats that close, only silly teenagers who like to run around the theatre ever sit in them.

well the one they opened here is not as big as the one I went to. Looks like I can sit anywhere. You're not surrounded by screen. 40ft X 70ft

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

So the 48fps is not supposed to cause your vision to be blurry? I've never been able to get my eyes focused just right 3D movies. It always looks blurry out of my right eye? Sometimes it feels like my eye is going crosseyed. I guess it's trying to adjust. I zlso wear glasses and have Astigmatism in both eyes.

My worst 3D experience was Transformers: DotM IMAX 3D. Sat 4 rows back, far right. Had to tilt my head a certain way and keep it because the whole screen would get blurry. Had a really nasty headache at the end....

Well, I’m not an eye doctor so you should consult with one of them and do not ignore your problem. Given that primary advice, I would recommend that you sit toward the back of theater and if you still experience that problem with stereoscopic motion picture viewing, then all I can offer you is that in my experience in speaking with eye doctors…and I do speak with many on that staff at USC, who, by the way, have directly contributed to producing outstanding devices like this…

Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System Artificial Retina - YouTube

I would say that you might be suffering from something like non-strabismic binocular vision dysfunction or amblyopia…I hope I got the spelling right on those two maladies. But that’s not really what I’m interested in pursuing with this study. Unfortunately, it sounds like you basically can’t see stereoscopic content the way a *normal* individual does.

b.t.w., if it’s not clear, it would also be appreciative if all those who view an HFR 3D screening of The Hobbit and do not have any visual or vestibular side effects, as mentioned previously, would speak up and say so. I need to have a total for the pertinent negatives (no side effects experienced group) too.

[L-Rouge]

easy 4.5 from 5 for me.

Technically extraordinary, drop dead gorgeous vistas

[Show spoiler] lonely mountain, rivendale

. I saw this in Standard 3d and amongst the tightest presentation of 3d I have seen. (auditorium with HFR 3d is down until spare parts arrive) Really natural environment, little in the way of technical distractions lovely depth and at least 1 object felt as if it hit my eye haha. Only switching my glasses to the side at somestages reveals a warmth in lighting had been cooled down, So 2d will have it's own strength.

I haven't read the book in years so I likely can't delve to the technical points of plot as you may wish.

[Show spoiler] The story does drift into side stories and characters and this does fill the film to the point of seeing the lonely mountain in the greater distance and a sudden "sequel leading" visit inside to see a waking dragon.
There is exposition to chew through which I have to say didn't detract too much at all. the additional supplements I might add may have taken a slight dent in the feel of the Hobbit. because even if I hadn't read the book in Yonks there were some things I didn't recognize so briefly I felt another story was being told as the focus on Smaug became a vastly distant goal.

Humour is laden through this, worked a treat for me, some things were nailed, Bilbo's Troll scene had a real LOL moment, though I may argue my memory remembers something that wasn't present. never mind.

If Radagast The Brown was an Apparent Jar Jar, I would say Radagast holds more Dignity, I was fine with him TBH.

Spectacular character designs and awesome voice acting especially from a character who's name I can not remember but voiced by Barry Humphries aka Dame Edna. really strong wit, Gollum of course is of high caliber as well.

Howard Shore's music is terrific

Martin Freeman, is brilliant as Bilbo

Overall a fab movie an easy 2hrs 49 min, I never felt the need to look at the watch. A critique may be that I feel the movie is safe in that expectations were met but not abundantly exceeded, being 1/3 movies it still holds a good presence on its own.

4.5/5

[L-Rouge]

Sadly, Only Star Trek teaser here

[Nommag]

4/5 for me. Good use of the time with lots of action. The book was well rendered and it had a positive light hearted touch. The set pieces were great and 3d well done. I definitely think it will be hard to sit through again as many of scenes were obviously stretched to help create a 3rd film.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Nommag

4/5 for me. Good use of the time with lots of action. The book was well rendered and it had a positive light hearted touch. The set pieces were great and 3d well done. I definitely think it will be hard to sit through again as many of scenes were obviously stretched to help create a 3rd film.

agreed, it felt way to stretched out in places.... could have been trimmed to two books easily it seems.

the 48fps made it look just a tad ....off as well. not sure if I like it

[beadelf]

Originally Posted by skyfallpaul

It would be a great movie to watch. I think one of the best movies of this year. It going to release on 14 December. Really waiting so much for the movie to watch.

??? what ???

[triefy]

As I stated in a previous thread, I thought the film was boring for 2/3rds of the film. Only until the last hour does it really seem to care about its audience.

I also felt that HFR 3D is a great concept but poorly executed in this case. I literally thought something was wrong as the movements of Bilbo walking around the house & writing in the book looked like it was on 2x speed. Add in the fact that Jackson seemed to have traditional camera crane movements sweeping through landscapes which didn't make any of it natural nor make it look more real.

I really hope that it was just the HFR that soured my experience for the film, but I doubt it. I checked my watch numerous times during the first hour & 45 minutes.

[Nommag]

Originally Posted by triefy

As I stated in a previous thread, I thought the film was boring for 2/3rds of the film. Only until the last hour does it really seem to care about its audience.

I also felt that HFR 3D is a great concept but poorly executed in this case. I literally thought something was wrong as the movements of Bilbo walking around the house & writing in the book looked like it was on 2x speed. Add in the fact that Jackson seemed to have traditional camera crane movements sweeping through landscapes which didn't make any of it natural nor make it look more real.

I really hope that it was just the HFR that soured my experience for the film, but I doubt it. I checked my watch numerous times during the first hour & 45 minutes.

My theatre had both a 48fps and normal 3d so I chose normal 3d for my first viewing so my initial viewing was ruined if I didnt like 48fps. Will probably go and see it again at some point in high frame rate.

[triefy]

Originally Posted by Nommag

My theatre had both a 48fps and normal 3d so I chose normal 3d for my first viewing so my initial viewing was ruined if I didnt like 48fps. Will probably go and see it again at some point in high frame rate.

Not a bad idea my friend. Since this was a press/advance screening, I didn't have a choice in the matter unless I wanted to wait to see it until this weekend.

[johnchatzo]

I hate 3D but out of respect for Peter Jackson i'll see the movie the way he wants the audience to see it.I hope it does not suck.

[BluPayne4400]

I have a question do i have to wath the previous Lord of the Ring films to enjoy going to see The Hobbit? I've seen em but been so long ago i forget the whole story and will not be albe to watch them in time for this release.

[L-Rouge]

No, the characters that do feature in the LOTR trilogy have non of the Sauron Agnst, Hobbit can be watched on it's own.

[j128v897]

Originally Posted by BluPayne4400

I have a question do i have to wath the previous Lord of the Ring films to enjoy going to see The Hobbit? I've seen em but been so long ago i forget the whole story and will not be albe to watch them in time for this release.

Not a need to watch them in my opinion. This all takes place before LOTR so it doesn't affect your understanding of what is going on.

[JamesKurtovich]

Geez... IMAX 3D is $17 per ticket...

[Angel Eyes]

I have a bad feeling about this one.......hope I am wrong.

[BluPayne4400]

Originally Posted by L-Rouge

No, the characters that do feature in the LOTR trilogy have non of the Sauron Agnst, Hobbit can be watched on it's own.

Thanks

Originally Posted by j128v897

Not a need to watch them in my opinion. This all takes place before LOTR so it doesn't affect your understanding of what is going on.

Thanks

Originally Posted by JamesKurtovich

Geez... IMAX 3D is $17 per ticket...

Iknow same here jeez movie prices getting a bit outrageous when the BD will more than likely only run $25 on release date. add another tix most likely its a $34 bill before you even walk thru the door.

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by BluPayne4400

Iknow same here jeez movie prices getting a bit outrageous when the BD will more than likely only run $25 on release date. add another tix most likely its a $34 bill before you even walk thru the door.

If I hear good things about the 3D, I might just go with the plain 3D that's $12 each. If not (live action is usually okay with no 3D), I'll go with the cheap ticket.