Well critiqued. Did you find you got used to the motion later on, or was it hard to tolerate even later on in the movie?
When those "quick" movements came on screen, I was distracted every time. It was very noticable to me and just didn't look natural. I would say it took away from the overall experience.
Just got back from seeing it in 2D and it was amazing. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun seeing a film in the theater. Went out to lunch with the family afterwards and were all feeling great and then we get home and turn on the news.
Wow, so many emotions going through my mind with this viewing. If I'm scatter brain, just bear with me.
First off, I didn't particularly like the film. It was what I expected. The Peter Jackson of the Fellowship of the Ring is gone. In his place is the Peter Jackson of King Kong, the Two Towers, and Return of the King. Meaning, the indulgent director who pads way too much, over reaches on the emotional front and over directs the action sequences. He has moments when he reigns it in and those tend to be the best aspects of the film.
In the end, this story of Bilbo Baggins should've been either two, two hour films or one, three plus hour film. Nothing more.
There are three mistakes he makes with this film that hamper it.
First, it is very clear that he sees this as the prequel to the Lord of the Rings, in term of the story choices he makes in order to add elements that are references to what will happen later. The problem is is that they don't feel organic to the story of Bilbo's adventure. It's pure padding just to make sure that you get the full Lord of the Rings experience once this trilogy is done and you go to the story of the War of the Ring.
Second, the callbacks either musically, structurally with the narrative, or character beats all feel completely nostalgic. They don't fit. I'm going to make a comparison to the Star Wars Prequels here because I think it's completely apt. The two masterstrokes Lucas implored in the Prequels was to first treat as if the Original Trilogy didn't exist and two, musically build the films to the themes that we've come to love in the Original Trilogy.
In terms of how it's structured, the Prequels don't give us answers to certain universe logic that we're witnessing until Obi-Wan explains them to Luke in Episode IV. Meaning, we're thrust into the story of the Prequels and we play catch as we go along from Episode I to Episode VI. It makes the Star Wars Saga feel completely organic.
Starting out with Ian Holm and Elijah Wood was incredible stupid on Jackson's part. It doesn't work. Just start out with Freeman as young Bilbo and once all the Drawes show up for dinner, flashback to the prologue that explains the Drawes quest to the audience. That feels way more organic to how it was done in the film.
Musically, Shore's score quotes direct themes that are there to invoke nostalgia towards the original films. They don't fit this film. John Williams brilliantly built to the themes as we got closer and closer to the Original Trilogy. It feels organic to the story we're watching. I think it was a big mistake for Jackson to have Shore outright quote the favorite themes from the trilogy. It just doesn't feel right.
Third, this story isn't about Bilbo Baggins. They try to force it in there but it doesn't feel natural. The whole middle section of the film completely forgets about Bilbo Baggins and it hurts the picture when they true to force Bilbo back to the audience. I didn't really buy it. Yes, this is a set up film but if I don't care about Bilbo now, why would I later in the next two films, especially when it's very clear that Jackson is going to be adding more elements to make everything line up to the Lord of the Rings, in terms of references and tone.
This film just didn't need to be this way. There's a much, much better film amongst all this footage Jackson has. It's just too much.
Now, having said that...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, 48FPS IS THE REAL ****ING DEAL...IN 3D.
This was the absolute best 3D presentation I've ever witnessed. I don't like 3D in the slightest. It's a gimmick. But at 48fps, it's a ****ing revelation. I honestly don't know what type of cinema is right for 48fps. I don't see it working for dramas, indies, or comedies (considering network television comedy is already at that). Frankly, I don't even know if 2D 48fps is such a good idea either. I just don't know.
What I do know is that Avatar 2 and 3 at 48fps in 3D is going to be a sight to behold. Hell, the next two Hobbit films are going to be a sight to behold. The visual effects. The vistas. The action. Just spec-****ing-tacular. The one drawback is lighting, production design, and makeup. Frankly, none of them felt fake, except for the make up. That'll get fixed. At times, yes, the action felt like it was moving in fast forward but it wasn't all the time.
I don't want to say that it's like looking out of a clear window or real life but that's about the best way to describe it. Spectacle filmmaking is forever changed with this. I don't see how Transformers 4 isn't in 48fps in 3D. Visual effects take on another dimension at this frame rate. Gollum felt like he was right in front of me during the Riddles in the Dark sequence (which is easily the best sequence in the film). It's startling excellent, the look of this film. New Zealand has never looked better in the cinema.
48fps in 3D is so damn impressive that, despite the fact that I think Jackson messed up royally by splitting this story in three parts, I'm there opening day for Part 2, just to see what he throws at us in 48fps in 3D. Wait until you see Rivendell. Jesus Christ, what a sight!
Sorry for this long post because I'm of two minds on this film. I just think, had he just told the story as it was in the book and not try to connect it to Lord of the Rings, it would've been a nice, light fantasy film about a hobbit who's finds out what he's worth.
On the other hand, 48fps is here and we better get use to it because it's here and it's not going anyway. I don't even know how to use this. I don't know what types of films this is needed for. All I know is is that I just witnessed something visually special this evening. It's beyond anything I've ever seen.
I was going to choose the 10:45 2D showing to avoid the crowds. However when I got there the place was pretty deserted so I wisely then choose the 3D HFR showing at 11:00 instead. There were ONLY 15 people in the entire showing for mine. I then asked the teller how many people attended the midnight showing and he replied 400, while the Harry Potter one had over 1500!
I guess word of mouth is going to have to drive this movie. But that should be no problem as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
[Show spoiler]I had a big ass smile on my face for quite a bit of it. I laughed at a lot of scenes. Some from ones that Jackson intended to be intentional and some from others were Jackson went overboard with some scenes. Such as Radagast's Bunny Sled Orc chase(now that one scene reminded me of a Benny Hill skit). The other that I can remember is the Stone Giant fight. Holy %^$&! That scene was so over the top ridiculous it was nuts. I laughed straight through that one. But.....you know what, I don't really mind it cause strangely enough those goofy scenes did sorta fit into the lighter tone of this children's story.
The only real angst that I remember from watching this were a few scenes were Jackson strayed so much from the story by making things up. Such as the Goblin/Wargs rally atop Weathertop. It was like some other fantasy movie strayed into this one for a few moments. Kinda weird.
Two of my favorite scenes are-
Throin marching out of the fallen tree in slow mo to confront his enemy while fires were raging about him. (a beautifully filmed shot)
The Giant Eagle swooping in to pick up the fallen Thorin in slo mo. (this is also a beautiful shot scene by Jackson. Seeing the eagle appear above his body in slow mo, then it's talons sloooowly wrapping him up and lifting him away)
Rating: 5/5
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Sounds good Duffy Attendance heere in norway is over the top All good seats taken for a couple of weeks
Now, having said that...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, 48FPS IS THE REAL ****ING DEAL...IN 3D.
This was the absolute best 3D presentation I've ever witnessed. I don't like 3D in the slightest. It's a gimmick. But at 48fps, it's a ****ing revelation. I honestly don't know what type of cinema is right for 48fps. I don't see it working for dramas, indies, or comedies (considering network television comedy is already at that). Frankly, I don't even know if 2D 48fps is such a good idea either. I just don't know.
What I do know is that Avatar 2 and 3 at 48fps in 3D is going to be a sight to behold. Hell, the next two Hobbit films are going to be a sight to behold. The visual effects. The vistas. The action. Just spec-****ing-tacular. The one drawback is lighting, production design, and makeup. Frankly, none of them felt fake, except for the make up. That'll get fixed. At times, yes, the action felt like it was moving in fast forward but it wasn't all the time.
I don't want to say that it's like looking out of a clear window or real life but that's about the best way to describe it. Spectacle filmmaking is forever changed with this. I don't see how Transformers 4 isn't in 48fps in 3D. Visual effects take on another dimension at this frame rate. Gollum felt like he was right in front of me during the Riddles in the Dark sequence (which is easily the best sequence in the film). It's startling excellent, the look of this film. New Zealand has never looked better in the cinema.
48fps in 3D is so damn impressive that, despite the fact that I think Jackson messed up royally by splitting this story in three parts, I'm there opening day for Part 2, just to see what he throws at us in 48fps in 3D. Wait until you see Rivendell. Jesus Christ, what a sight!
Sorry for this long post because I'm of two minds on this film. I just think, had he just told the story as it was in the book and not try to connect it to Lord of the Rings, it would've been a nice, light fantasy film about a hobbit who's finds out what he's worth.
On the other hand, 48fps is here and we better get use to it because it's here and it's not going anyway. I don't even know how to use this. I don't know what types of films this is needed for. All I know is is that I just witnessed something visually special this evening. It's beyond anything I've ever seen.
Wowzer....
I agree with your assessment of 48-FPS. However the other issues I did not notice at all except for a bit of hurry at the start.
BTW, the groan inducing moment in the film for me was when
[Show spoiler]Bilbo jumped to the aid of the fallen Thorin at the end.
Second, the callbacks either musically, structurally with the narrative, or character beats all feel completely nostalgic. They don't fit. I'm going to make a comparison to the Star Wars Prequels here because I think it's completely apt. The two masterstrokes Lucas implored in the Prequels was to first treat as if the Original Trilogy didn't exist and two, musically build the films to the themes that we've come to love in the Original Trilogy.
In terms of how it's structured, the Prequels don't give us answers to certain universe logic that we're witnessing until Obi-Wan explains them to Luke in Episode IV. Meaning, we're thrust into the story of the Prequels and we play catch as we go along from Episode I to Episode VI. It makes the Star Wars Saga feel completely organic.
interesting comparison. I felt The Hobbit, largely avoids the pitfalls of the Star Wars franchise, with regard to quality of acting, technological differences in aesthetic etc. I felt The Phantom Menace was one large Ecyclopedia to all the mysteries of the Original Trilogy. which I might add, was a big detractor for me (Midi-chlorian/hormone imbalance).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumpman
Third, this story isn't about Bilbo Baggins. They try to force it in there but it doesn't feel natural. The whole middle section of the film completely forgets about Bilbo Baggins and it hurts the picture when they true to force Bilbo back to the audience. I didn't really buy it. Yes, this is a set up film but if I don't care about Bilbo now, why would I later in the next two films, especially when it's very clear that Jackson is going to be adding more elements to make everything line up to the Lord of the Rings, in terms of references and tone.
That though was evident, I do agree with that. but I will say, the Hobbit is in 3 sections, so to see that these movies will no doubt favour Bilbo, overall.
I'll say wait for the extra 27 minutes of EE ;-), see where that goes.
Sounds good Duffy Attendance heere in norway is over the top All good seats taken for a couple of weeks
Yea. It was a VERY entertaining movie. Sure Jackson deviates again. Some of it is cornball. And quite a few times I felt like that I was watching some other film, not the Hobbit. But...I guess that I am used to Jackson's excesses now and I got a laugh out of some of the bad stuff. My GWAD!
[Show spoiler]That Radagast sleigh ride chase across the fields was downright 'Benny Hill' in it's silliness.
But for some reason instead of me cursing at Jackson this time, I just laughed and enjoyed it.
And like a wise man once said: "Laughter is an instant vacation."
nteresting comparison. I felt The Hobbit, largely avoids the pitfalls of the Star Wars franchise, with regard to quality of acting, technological differences in aesthetic etc. I felt The Phantom Menace was one large Ecyclopedia to all the mysteries of the Original Trilogy. which I might add, was a big detractor for me (Midi-chlorian/hormone imbalance).
See, I felt differently with the Prequels but I felt this way with the Hobbit. Go figure.
I agree, and that is why resolution (2K, 4K, 35mm, IMAX) is not always everything.
I'm open to all the possibilities. Again, I basically swore off 3D after the shoddy presentation I had of John Carter earlier this year. I was done with the glasses and the low light levels in the theatre because of the 3D.
This 48fps thing in 3D is something wholly different. 3D was made for higher frame rate after what I saw today. I can't go back after that. I mean, it was a beautifully clean and brighter, vibrant picture. I knew I had glasses on but for a while there, I didn't feel like I had them on.
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. I thought i'd take my own medicine heh
I then asked the teller how many people attended the midnight showing and he replied 400, while the Harry Potter one had over 1500! 
Attendance heere in norway is over the top
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