The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey (2012) 2D/3D - March 19, 2013 Reviews

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by bam777

Special features for both 2D and 3D Theatrical Cut releases:



- New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth

- Video Blogs
Start of Production
Location Scouting
Shooting Block One
Filming in 3D
Locations Part 1
Locations Part 2
Stone St. Studios Tour
Wrap of Principal Photography
Post-production Overview
Wellington World Premiere

- Theatrical Trailers
Dwarves
Letter Opener
Bilbo Contract
Gandalf Wagers
Gollum Paths

- Game Trailers
The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-Earth
Guardians of Middle-Earth
Lego The Lord of the Rings



Standard DVD copy of An Unexpected Journey (2D)
UltraViolet digital copy An Unexpected Journey (2D) (expires 3/19/15)

What bothers me about the special features listed here, unlike the best special features (IMO) of the Lord of the Rings movies, is the lack of any background material related to the story, Middle-earth, or the author (Tolkien). Of course, that is the problem I have in general with this movie. Instead of a film adaption of "The Hobbit", by J.R.R. Tolkien, it is more of "The Hobbit - a story by Peter Jackson and Phillipa Boyens, loosely based on characters and situations from the J.R.R. Tolkien novel". When the EE is released, I wonder if the extra footage will actually be related to the story or the as-of-yet unfulfilled promise of material in the LotR appendices - or will it be more of "the life and times of Azog the Goblin" and other superfluous garbage?

[Member-222782]

I'm waitin' for the Extended Editions - not falling for the double-dip games like I did with the LOTR trilogy. I've got theatrical version Blu-rays sitting around that will never get watched. Gotta put my foot down.

[ryanmcv]

It's too bad they didn't include a sneak peak of The Desolation of Smaug. Didn't the Fellowship theatrical DVD include a short preview of Two Towers?

[Starpower67]

I know this will be a guess, but you guys seem to be pretty accurate with your guesses here. If the regular version does in fact come out March 19, when do you estimate the extended edition to come out? I can't remember how long it was in between for the LOTR extended edition.

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

What bothers me about the special features listed here, unlike the best special features (IMO) of the Lord of the Rings movies, is the lack of any background material related to the story, Middle-earth, or the author (Tolkien).

I imagine they're saving this for the Extended Edition. The extras list seems along the same lines as the theatrical DVDs of LOTR.

Originally Posted by Starpower67

I know this will be a guess, but you guys seem to be pretty accurate with your guesses here. If the regular version does in fact come out March 19, when do you estimate the extended edition to come out? I can't remember how long it was in between for the LOTR extended edition.

With LOTR, the EEs came out 1 month before the next film.

[Cabby]

Originally Posted by JohnDoe NY

Why not? Extended doesn't necessarily mean better. You fanboys

I agree. This film was already extended enough. If it was worthy of being in the movie it would have been in the theatrical considering they were avidly trying to extend the thing into a trilogy. It's not like the LOTR trilogy where material was left out because of the length. This is the opposite, they added stuff in just for the sake of turning it into a trilogy.

In this case I do not think the extended version will be a significant step up from the theatrical. I'm just getting the theatrical blu-ray in March and that's that, lol.

[poke smot]

still not crazy about the 3d cover art. the bear? anyway, might have to do a slipcover switch. regardless day 1. loved the flick.

[Starpower67]

Originally Posted by Rizor

I imagine they're saving this for the Extended Edition. The extras list seems along the same lines as the theatrical DVDs of LOTR.

With LOTR, the EEs came out 1 month before the next film.

Yikes! Now that's a long wait!

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by poke smot

still not crazy about the 3d cover art. the bear? anyway, might have to do a slipcover switch. regardless day 1. loved the flick.

It's been changed. It's now a closeup of Gandalf.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by poke smot

still not crazy about the 3d cover art. the bear? anyway, might have to do a slipcover switch. regardless day 1. loved the flick.

Heck that art was somewhat passable, IMO...the new art just plain horrible!

Looks like Gandalf is posing for Middle Earth's version of Vanity Fair or Rolling Stone. I'll never understand how studios arrive at these decisions.

[Blu-Benny]

for me....the main reason for buying the EE release is for all of the extras that it'll have.

i think i've watched the EE LOTR movies 2x each since owning them and that's it.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by ryanmcv

It's too bad they didn't include a sneak peak of The Desolation of Smaug. Didn't the Fellowship theatrical DVD include a short preview of Two Towers?

Yeah, Towers had a ROTK preview, and ROTK had the "super trailer" for all three.

[Adam_WM]

Here's the rub:

"In addition, Peter Jackson will host a live first look at “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the second film in The Hobbit Trilogy, on Sunday, March 24th at 3:00PM Eastern/Noon Pacific. Content will be streamed live and an edited version will be archived on the Trilogy’s official website. Access to the live event will be limited to holders of an UltraViolet code available by purchasing “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack or 2-Disc Special Edition DVD. Select digital retailers will issue access codes upon purchase of the film. Visit http://www.thehobbit.com/sneak for more information."

According to the digitalbits.com: Other important details: Warner Home Video has now officially confirmed that an Extended Edition will be available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD “in time for the holidays.”

[SethRex]

Then I may just buy the theatrical through Vudu and buy the EE on disc.

[poke smot]

Originally Posted by poke smot

still not crazy about the 3d cover art. the bear? anyway, might have to do a slipcover switch. regardless day 1. loved the flick.

Ok I can live with the new 3d art. Now make those leaves lenticular....sweet.

[bhavesh bhatia]

This has been the most disappointing news for me till now! I was actually expecting so much from this release. In terms of special freatures of course! There are no documentries related to the book or some making. Just the production videos that we have already seen so many times. No previews for the Special Extended Edition or The Desolation of Smaug. No Teaser Trailer and more over no TV Spots! I ain't spending a cent on this release. There's nothing that I don't have! I have the trailer downloaded and all the production videos as well!

Sorry to say this, but PJ, you have actually let us down!

[Ugly Pig]

Originally Posted by bhavesh bhatia

There's nothing that I don't have!

You mean aside from the movie, right?

[Edword]

Originally Posted by bhavesh bhatia

This has been the most disappointing news for me till now! I was actually expecting so much from this release. In terms of special freatures of course! There are no documentries related to the book or some making. Just the production videos that we have already seen so many times. No previews for the Special Extended Edition or The Desolation of Smaug. No Teaser Trailer and more over no TV Spots! I ain't spending a cent on this release. There's nothing that I don't have! I have the trailer downloaded and all the production videos as well!

Sorry to say this, but PJ, you have actually let us down!

Well seeing how there's going to be the extended edition released later this year it's not surprising.

[JLaw1719]

I'll just rent this and wait for the extended cut. No reason at all for me to buy it.

[bhavesh bhatia]

Originally Posted by Ugly Pig

You mean aside from the movie, right?

Oh, of course! But you can always download the movie, using VOD or if your country has no anti-piracy rules.

Originally Posted by Edword

Well seeing how there's going to be the extended edition released later this year it's not surprising.

Come on! There were extended editions for all the three movies in the LOTR Trilogy too! But look at the standard DVD features, they were so satisfying! But for AUJ, I am not lovin' it at all!