The EE is pretty disappointing. It doesn't feel EE, like The Lord of the Rings were.
Maybe because there weren't much new scenes. Only the Rivendell part stands out and the Great Goblin scene.
I have more the feeling they added more quick camera shots in action moments and more little pieces you won't directly notice.
After seeing TC vs EE, well the TC was already more then finished. Or they have should added the EE footage in the first place.
Disappointing because of what? Not as many deleted scenes? Because there are still PLENTY of special features that don't make it so "disappointing". At least to me.
Agreed about the special features. Those are the reason to get this set (they were also the reason to get the LOTR trilogy set).
Even the theatrical versions of LOTR were "finished". The extra scenes just fill things out more that's all. I actually still prefer the theatrical version of Fellowship of the Ring.
Disappointing because of what? Not as many deleted scenes? Because there are still PLENTY of special features that don't make it so "disappointing". At least to me.
Well I wish it was more balanced. More background story combined with moments they now added into. Only the Rivendell part was good for background story. Like Gandalf now speaks to Saruman about the missing Rings, which was not in the TC. Those details I am missing.
I am a fan of extras, so I am very pleased with that. That makes it all good indeed.
Viewed the Extended Cut via iTunes (damn my impatience! ), and loved it. If anyone's interested, here's my review, as posted on TheOneRing.Net forums.
SPOILERS ABOUND.
[Show spoiler]I remember seeing An Unexpected Journey for the first time in theaters, and being heartbroken at how lukewarm I was towards it. Some of this had to do with misplaced expectations, and some of it had to do with actual shortcomings on the part of the film (in my opinion, anyway). I have warmed up to it considerably since then, however, and this extended cut carries me further along on that path. I believe it is a stronger film for the additions, and honestly I don't see why this couldn't have been the theatrical cut. The film was already running near 3 hours, and the 13 minutes restored here, though sparse, inject the film with some heart and character that were sorely missing before.
Words cannot express how critical much of the restored Rivendell sequence is to this film. First and foremost, I want to talk about Bilbo. I think many of us felt that he was kind of forgotten about in this section of the theatrical cut. I believe that the cuts made here may have been the chief reason I didn't connect with the film more initially. Bilbo's character arc is (or should be) the centerpiece of the film. But in the theatrical cut, he barely sees any development until his encounter with Gollum. Until then, he's just following along on the journey. But the restored footage in the extended cut puts an entirely different spin on this. In Rivendell, Bilbo discovers the magic and beauty of Rivendell, he's given a chance to stay - thanks to Elrond's invitation, he shares a very intimate moment with Thorin (thereby providing the first strands of their bond), and makes the most brave decision of carrying on with the quest. This added material reverberates throughout the rest of the film. When Bilbo glances back at Rivendell, resolving to follow the dwarves, it is now one of his finest moments in the film. Thorin's rebuke after the Stone Giant sequence now hurts all the more, and Bilbo's impulse to return to Rivendell now has much clearer context. He is not someone who is simply running back home after being yanked around the countryside. He had made the decision to stick by his new companions, and has been rebuked for it - by someone he thought he was beginning to have a clearer understanding with. Bilbo's strong development throughout these sections sets the stage for his misadventures in Goblin Town and Gollum's cave - and gives an incredibly strong emotional resonance to his statements and actions in the final moments of the film.
The added material also benefits the dwarves greatly. Thorin benefits from moments like his shock at Thror's insult to Thranduil. I think this shows an initial respect on his part toward the elves, and makes his sense of betrayal and eventual hatred toward them all the more impactful. Also, the scene on the balcony in Rivendell, creates a connection to Bilbo that fully brings alive their scenes later in the film. The rest of the dwarves are enriched as well. I got the sense in the theatrical cut that Bofur was just on the edge of being a standout character in the film, and here we get many great moments from him (including his fantastic musical performance!) that allows him to be one of the movie's most memorable characters. Various additions for him, as well as Nori, Oin, Kili, and the others, allow many of the dwarves to be more the passing faces they were before.
A couple of the smaller additions are actually some of my favorites. The addition of the Midsummer's Eve party with young Bilbo is a great little snippet that connects Gandalf to him, his family, and the Shire. I remember when I saw the film, McKellen's line delivery struck me as a little odd in his first scene with Freeman. I feel like the flashback scene more properly sets up this encounter. Gandalf is expecting to find the adventurous hobbit he remembers, and is caught completely off guard by what he sees in Bilbo. Not that we don't get a bit of that without the scene, but I do feel like it clarifies it and sets it up better. I also like Bilbo's time in the market, as it opens up the Shire a bit more and shows more of his love for his home. And, of course, anytime we get more dialogue between McKellen and Christopher Lee is a major bonus. That, in conjunction with the glimpse at Narsil and the Last Alliance painting, was great for building up the atmosphere of danger to come. But what I really love is the exchange between Gandalf and Bilbo prior to coming out of the Hidden Path. I remember feeling that Rivendell didn't seem to give off that sense of awe that the original trilogy gave to it. But setting it up with Bilbo feeling the "magic" of the Elves, gives that grand entrance a different impact. I think it also provides a wonderful explanation to audience members who felt that Rivendell seemed to pop up out of nowhere. This exchange, along with all the Rivendell additions, really restored the Last Homely House to that awe-inspiring and breathtaking paradise that I remembered.
One cannot go without speaking of 'Down, Down to Goblin Town'. I'm of two minds here. I'm not entirely sure that the style of song that was executed here is appropriate for Middle Earth. I agree with others who have said that it comes off a bit too modern. That said - I love it. It's pure lunacy. It gives the Goblins a completely bizarre and wacky entrance, and sets them far, far apart from the Orcs. In the theatrical cut, the Goblin Town sequence came off as Moria-lite, but this new introduction sets an insanely nutty tone, that lets you know that this is vastly new territory (as is the film itself).
Though this material did not add up to much screen time in comparison to the LotR EEs, I do feel it made a very positive impact on the film in just the right places. That is not to say that I have no lingering issues with the film. I still think that it drags a bit between Bag End and the Trollshaws (I remain very lukewarm toward the Moria flashback), and I remain unimpressed by Azog - though he fares better in the Extended Edition (the added material provides more time away from his subplot, lessening it's impact).
...and bunny sleigh. I'm getting used to it, but wth was Peter thinking?!
All said, I enjoyed the Extended Cut immensely - and am incredibly excited to see The Desolation of Smaug. Last year, I was expecting another film in the vein of The Lord of the Rings. But now I know what it is PJ is up to with these films, and am geared up and ready to see the next Hobbit film.
Last edited by Aragorn the Elfstone; 10-25-2013 at 02:13 AM.
Viewed the Extended Cut via iTunes (damn my impatience! ), and loved it. If anyone's interested, here's my review, as posted on TheOneRing.Net forums.
SPOILERS ABOUND.
[Show spoiler]I remember seeing An Unexpected Journey for the first time in theaters, and being heartbroken at how lukewarm I was towards it. Some of this had to do with misplaced expectations, and some of it had to do with actual shortcomings on the part of the film (in my opinion, anyway). I have warmed up to it considerably since then, however, and this extended cut carries me further along on that path. I believe it is a stronger film for the additions, and honestly I don't see why this couldn't have been the theatrical cut. The film was already running near 3 hours, and the 13 minutes restored here, though sparse, inject the film with some heart and character that were sorely missing before.
Words cannot express how critical much of the restored Rivendell sequence is to this film. First and foremost, I want to talk about Bilbo. I think many of us felt that he was kind of forgotten about in this section of the theatrical cut. I believe that the cuts made here may have been the chief reason I didn't connect with the film more initially. Bilbo's character arc is (or should be) the centerpiece of the film. But in the theatrical cut, he barely sees any development until his encounter with Gollum. Until then, he's just following along on the journey. But the restored footage in the extended cut puts an entirely different spin on this. In Rivendell, Bilbo discovers the magic and beauty of Rivendell, he's given a chance to stay - thanks to Elrond's invitation, he shares a very intimate moment with Thorin (thereby providing the first strands of their bond), and makes the most brave decision of carrying on with the quest. This added material reverberates throughout the rest of the film. When Bilbo glances back at Rivendell, resolving to follow the dwarves, it is now one of his finest moments in the film. Thorin's rebuke after the Stone Giant sequence now hurts all the more, and Bilbo's impulse to return to Rivendell now has much clearer context. He is not someone who is simply running back home after being yanked around the countryside. He had made the decision to stick by his new companions, and has been rebuked for it - by someone he thought he was beginning to have a clearer understanding with. Bilbo's strong development throughout these sections sets the stage for his misadventures in Goblin Town and Gollum's cave - and gives an incredibly strong emotional resonance to his statements and actions in the final moments of the film.
The added material also benefits the dwarves greatly. Thorin benefits from moments like his shock at Thror's insult to Thranduil. I think this shows an initial respect on his part toward the elves, and makes his sense of betrayal and eventual hatred toward them all the more impactful. Also, the scene on the balcony in Rivendell, creates a connection to Bilbo that fully brings alive their scenes later in the film. The rest of the dwarves are enriched as well. I got the sense in the theatrical cut that Bofur was just on the edge of being a standout character in the film, and here we get many great moments from him (including his fantastic musical performance!) that allows him to be one of the movie's most memorable characters. Various additions for him, as well as Nori, Oin, Kili, and the others, allow many of the dwarves to be more the passing faces they were before.
A couple of the smaller additions are actually some of my favorites. The addition of the Midsummer's Eve party with young Bilbo is a great little snippet that connects Gandalf to him, his family, and the Shire. I remember when I saw the film, McKellen's line delivery struck me as a little odd in his first scene with Freeman. I feel like the flashback scene more properly sets up this encounter. Gandalf is expecting to find the adventurous hobbit he remembers, and is caught completely off guard by what he sees in Bilbo. Not that we don't get a bit of that without the scene, but I do feel like it clarifies it and sets it up better. I also like Bilbo's time in the market, as it opens up the Shire a bit more and shows more of his love for his home. And, of course, anytime we get more dialogue between McKellen and Christopher Lee is a major bonus. That, in conjunction with the glimpse at Narsil and the Last Alliance painting, was great for building up the atmosphere of danger to come. But what I really love is the exchange between Gandalf and Bilbo prior to coming out of the Hidden Path. I remember feeling that Rivendell didn't seem to give off that sense of awe that the original trilogy gave to it. But setting it up with Bilbo feeling the "magic" of the Elves, gives that grand entrance a different impact. I think it also provides a wonderful explanation to audience members who felt that Rivendell seemed to pop up out of nowhere. This exchange, along with all the Rivendell additions, really restored the Last Homely House to that awe-inspiring and breathtaking paradise that I remembered.
One cannot go without speaking of 'Down, Down to Goblin Town'. I'm of two minds here. I'm not entirely sure that the style of song that was executed here is appropriate for Middle Earth. I agree with others who have said that it comes off a bit too modern. That said - I love it. It's pure lunacy. It gives the Goblins a completely bizarre and wacky entrance, and sets them far, far apart from the Orcs. In the theatrical cut, the Goblin Town sequence came off as Moria-lite, but this new introduction sets an insanely nutty tone, that lets you know that this is vastly new territory (as is the film itself).
Though this material did not add up to much screen time in comparison to the LotR EEs, I do feel it made a very positive impact on the film in just the right places. That is not to say that I have no lingering issues with the film. I still think that it drags a bit between Bag End and the Trollshaws (I remain very lukewarm toward the Moria flashback), and I remain unimpressed by Azog - though he fares better in the Extended Edition (the added material provides more time away from his subplot, lessening it's impact).
...and bunny sleigh. I'm getting used to it, but wth was Peter thinking?!
All said, I enjoyed the Extended Cut immensely - and am incredibly excited to see The Desolation of Smaug. Last year, I was expecting another film in the vein of The Lord of the Rings. But now I know what it is PJ is up to with these films, and am geared up and ready to see the next Hobbit film.
Sigh, you're so right and that's what's so frustrating about Jackson and these different versions of these films. Just like the EE's for the Rings trilogy, you look at that Rivendell stuff that gets added back in and you're wondering why the hell this was cut in the first place.
If it had just been the Rivendell stuff
[Show spoiler](minus the discussion of the Rings)
and everything else had been left out, I'd be fully on board with your review of the extended cut. As it stands, you now, like the Rings trilogy EE, have to weight the good material added with the bad material added and see if that'll bother you for the foreseeable future.
Once we saw the new material for the Rings EE, it was hard to go back to the theatrical cut. Here, I'm not so sure. Again, for me personally, the Rivendell stuff is the most we miss if we stick to the theatrical cut and you have to ask yourself, is it worth it missing that stuff for the rest of the trilogy to make sense.
And we don't know that yet.
I really, really wish Jackson would do true director's cut for these films that's a nice healthy mix of the theatrical cut and the EE. Because if he did, I already know of three films that would be better for it out of the four he's done so far in Tolkien's world.
As it stands, you now, like the Rings trilogy EE, have to weight the good material added with the bad material added and see if that'll bother you for the foreseeable future.
To be honest, that's true of pretty much any extended cut I've ever seen. There's usually something new that's truly indispensable, but there's also something that's so bad I feel like ejecting the disc and throwing it out of the window. I also like my movies to be paced like movies, instead of them resembling a sprawling mini-series or something.
In a way I'm glad that the EE isn't some bloated, rambling expansion of the film, because it was bloated and rambling enough already. Don't get me wrongo, I like The Hobbit enough to be buying the EE sight unseen, but less tends to be more when it comes to Mr Jackson's movies.
To be honest, that's true of pretty much any extended cut I've ever seen. There's usually something new that's truly indispensable, but there's also something that's so bad I feel like ejecting the disc and throwing it out of the window. I also like my movies to be paced like movies, instead of them resembling a sprawling mini-series or something.
In a way I'm glad that the EE isn't some bloated, rambling expansion of the film, because it was bloated and rambling enough already. Don't get me wrongo, I like The Hobbit enough to be buying the EE sight unseen, but less tends to be more when it comes to Mr Jackson's movies.
I'm with you. Especially when it comes to this Hobbit Trilogy. With the Rings films, I kind of understood the need to sprawl them out in the EE's, considering the source material and the fact that there were a lot of gaffes with certain details in the theatrical cuts in order to keep the pace moving.
Not here. 12 minutes isn't really bad. And if the rumors are true that Desolation of Smaug's theatrical cut is 156 minutes in length, I'm willing to bet that it's EE will probably be the length of An Unexpected Journey's theatrical cut. Go figure.
Viewed the Extended Cut via iTunes (damn my impatience! ), and loved it. If anyone's interested, here's my review, as posted on TheOneRing.Net forums.
SPOILERS ABOUND.
[Show spoiler]I remember seeing An Unexpected Journey for the first time in theaters, and being heartbroken at how lukewarm I was towards it. Some of this had to do with misplaced expectations, and some of it had to do with actual shortcomings on the part of the film (in my opinion, anyway). I have warmed up to it considerably since then, however, and this extended cut carries me further along on that path. I believe it is a stronger film for the additions, and honestly I don't see why this couldn't have been the theatrical cut. The film was already running near 3 hours, and the 13 minutes restored here, though sparse, inject the film with some heart and character that were sorely missing before.
Words cannot express how critical much of the restored Rivendell sequence is to this film. First and foremost, I want to talk about Bilbo. I think many of us felt that he was kind of forgotten about in this section of the theatrical cut. I believe that the cuts made here may have been the chief reason I didn't connect with the film more initially. Bilbo's character arc is (or should be) the centerpiece of the film. But in the theatrical cut, he barely sees any development until his encounter with Gollum. Until then, he's just following along on the journey. But the restored footage in the extended cut puts an entirely different spin on this. In Rivendell, Bilbo discovers the magic and beauty of Rivendell, he's given a chance to stay - thanks to Elrond's invitation, he shares a very intimate moment with Thorin (thereby providing the first strands of their bond), and makes the most brave decision of carrying on with the quest. This added material reverberates throughout the rest of the film. When Bilbo glances back at Rivendell, resolving to follow the dwarves, it is now one of his finest moments in the film. Thorin's rebuke after the Stone Giant sequence now hurts all the more, and Bilbo's impulse to return to Rivendell now has much clearer context. He is not someone who is simply running back home after being yanked around the countryside. He had made the decision to stick by his new companions, and has been rebuked for it - by someone he thought he was beginning to have a clearer understanding with. Bilbo's strong development throughout these sections sets the stage for his misadventures in Goblin Town and Gollum's cave - and gives an incredibly strong emotional resonance to his statements and actions in the final moments of the film.
The added material also benefits the dwarves greatly. Thorin benefits from moments like his shock at Thror's insult to Thranduil. I think this shows an initial respect on his part toward the elves, and makes his sense of betrayal and eventual hatred toward them all the more impactful. Also, the scene on the balcony in Rivendell, creates a connection to Bilbo that fully brings alive their scenes later in the film. The rest of the dwarves are enriched as well. I got the sense in the theatrical cut that Bofur was just on the edge of being a standout character in the film, and here we get many great moments from him (including his fantastic musical performance!) that allows him to be one of the movie's most memorable characters. Various additions for him, as well as Nori, Oin, Kili, and the others, allow many of the dwarves to be more the passing faces they were before.
A couple of the smaller additions are actually some of my favorites. The addition of the Midsummer's Eve party with young Bilbo is a great little snippet that connects Gandalf to him, his family, and the Shire. I remember when I saw the film, McKellen's line delivery struck me as a little odd in his first scene with Freeman. I feel like the flashback scene more properly sets up this encounter. Gandalf is expecting to find the adventurous hobbit he remembers, and is caught completely off guard by what he sees in Bilbo. Not that we don't get a bit of that without the scene, but I do feel like it clarifies it and sets it up better. I also like Bilbo's time in the market, as it opens up the Shire a bit more and shows more of his love for his home. And, of course, anytime we get more dialogue between McKellen and Christopher Lee is a major bonus. That, in conjunction with the glimpse at Narsil and the Last Alliance painting, was great for building up the atmosphere of danger to come. But what I really love is the exchange between Gandalf and Bilbo prior to coming out of the Hidden Path. I remember feeling that Rivendell didn't seem to give off that sense of awe that the original trilogy gave to it. But setting it up with Bilbo feeling the "magic" of the Elves, gives that grand entrance a different impact. I think it also provides a wonderful explanation to audience members who felt that Rivendell seemed to pop up out of nowhere. This exchange, along with all the Rivendell additions, really restored the Last Homely House to that awe-inspiring and breathtaking paradise that I remembered.
One cannot go without speaking of 'Down, Down to Goblin Town'. I'm of two minds here. I'm not entirely sure that the style of song that was executed here is appropriate for Middle Earth. I agree with others who have said that it comes off a bit too modern. That said - I love it. It's pure lunacy. It gives the Goblins a completely bizarre and wacky entrance, and sets them far, far apart from the Orcs. In the theatrical cut, the Goblin Town sequence came off as Moria-lite, but this new introduction sets an insanely nutty tone, that lets you know that this is vastly new territory (as is the film itself).
Though this material did not add up to much screen time in comparison to the LotR EEs, I do feel it made a very positive impact on the film in just the right places. That is not to say that I have no lingering issues with the film. I still think that it drags a bit between Bag End and the Trollshaws (I remain very lukewarm toward the Moria flashback), and I remain unimpressed by Azog - though he fares better in the Extended Edition (the added material provides more time away from his subplot, lessening it's impact).
...and bunny sleigh. I'm getting used to it, but wth was Peter thinking?!
All said, I enjoyed the Extended Cut immensely - and am incredibly excited to see The Desolation of Smaug. Last year, I was expecting another film in the vein of The Lord of the Rings. But now I know what it is PJ is up to with these films, and am geared up and ready to see the next Hobbit film.
Great review, thanks for the detailed descriptions of everything.
Any images of the 2D blu-ray release yet? I'm trying to figure out if it'll be the same design as the 3D release, or if it'll be a stripped down standard blu-ray case with a slipcover (I hope not).
Can anyone who has seen the extended edition shed some light on what the "fleeting nudity" mentioned in the mpaa rating is? I'm assuming some dwarves moon the elves in Rivendell.
Can anyone who has seen the extended edition shed some light on what the "fleeting nudity" mentioned in the mpaa rating is? I'm assuming some dwarves moon the elves in Rivendell.
Besides the orcs and goblins being cg, I don't understand the mixed reviews for this movie. It was so damn fun. After reading that lengthy and informative review, I'm pretty excited for the ee.
To be honest, that's true of pretty much any extended cut I've ever seen. There's usually something new that's truly indispensable, but there's also something that's so bad I feel like ejecting the disc and throwing it out of the window ...
Don't do that, send the discs to me and I'll pay postage.
Someone here (I can't find it right now) has a sig which says something to the effect of "Do you really have something to say or do you just like the sound of yourself typing?" I raise that question for the poster who has bashed this release repeatedly (about a dozen times in the last two pages alone). We get it, you don't like the EE and think that "the Rivendell stuff" is all that's decent. Please, no names because I'm not into insulting anybody, but saying the same damn thing over and over is rude & boring! Please give it a rest if you don't have something new to say!
Mathew Bristowe managing director from Prime Focas London stereo studio once was asked: Are there particular shots that you would recommend not doing a conversion but doing live action native-3D? He answered: "Yes, potentially where there are beards and hair are tougher than others where you've got lots of fine hair detail, these things you might have in close-ups or if its a potential wide shot with a lot of characters or your traveling through a forest. Anything thats got a lot of fine detail in there."
Looking forward to seeing some bass measurements or at least whether the audio is exactly the same on both releases. The bass on the regular edition is pretty weak.
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), and loved it. If anyone's interested, here's my review, as posted on TheOneRing.Net forums. 
It gives the Goblins a completely bizarre and wacky entrance, and sets them far, far apart from the Orcs. In the theatrical cut, the Goblin Town sequence came off as Moria-lite, but this new introduction sets an insanely nutty tone, that lets you know that this is vastly new territory (as is the film itself).
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