The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition - November 4, 2014

[Thesis]

I almost picked this up today, but I figured I'd pick it up next week instead. I already had dropped $100 in movies today after purchasing, Maleficent, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, Planes 2, and Hercules in 3D... The price is very steep...

[Packerfan75]

Yeah, yeah. I knew someone would come along and say that I didn't have to buy the theatrical. I never have to buy anything, I know.
But as a fan, am I going to wait a year to see it again? No. The point is that the studios are maximizing profits at our expense when they could release both at the same time to give us a choice to buy it once.
I'm not saying anything against anyone who double, triples or quadruple dips. Buy them all, I don't care. I'm just taking a personal poll.

[jaredofmo]

The point is that the studios are maximizing profits at our expense when they could release both at the same time to give us a choice to buy it once.

Not exactly. They don't necessarily have the cut and all the special features ready when they release the theatrical. Jackson even starts the audio commentary saying he came in to do it after editing Battle of the Five Armies. Also, it's a major way to get fans excited about the next movie that works. If you don't want to buy the theatrical edition (which goes for under $20 unless you're getting 3D or a special exclusive), that's your call.

[BLUgrass]

Do you guys think there's any chance that when Battle of the Five Armies EE hits blu ray that they will offer a LOTR type box to put all the movies together? I would buy one

[Cook]

Originally Posted by jaredofmo

Not exactly. They don't necessarily have the cut and all the special features ready when they release the theatrical. Jackson even starts the audio commentary saying he came in to do it after editing Battle of the Five Armies. Also, it's a major way to get fans excited about the next movie that works. If you don't want to buy the theatrical edition (which goes for under $20 unless you're getting 3D or a special exclusive), that's your call.

Yep. Jackson doesnt start his EE cuts until right before or after the theatrical cut of the film hits dvd. This isnt the studios choice. Its his choice and he does this because he is working on another film and is busy with that.

Also unlike most EE's Howard Shore actually scores the scenes that are going to be put back in. Scenes and vfx going into the EE arent always finished. So WETA has to do vfx on the EE and the next film at the same time. This all takes time. The Sound Designer has to build the new audio track for the new scenes. Etc.

These Extended Editions arent your average directors cuts and they cant get them done in time for that March or April blu-ray release. So rather than making the customer wait til the next November to get the film on blu-ray and losing some sales they release the bare bones theatrical cut in March or April to tied the fans over until the EE is finished and ready for release.

Frankly Im kind of tired hearing people complain about this. Its been like this with every single LOTR and Hobbit EE since 2001. For over a decade people have been complaining about this, and Jackson has always been very open about the time and work that goes into these Extended Editions. And we know his time and work thats dedicated to the new film. In short its ridiculous to expect him to have the EE ready for a March or April release.

If you dont want to double dip dont buy the bare bones theatrical cut and just wait for the EE in November. If you dont have the impulse control to wait for November or are a completist that isnt Jackson's fault.

[Vlad Draculi]

Isn't there supposed to be a booklet? I didn't get one with mine.

[Mandalorian]

I can't wait for this to arrive. I haven't seen it since it was in theaters, but I still think about that Ed Sheeran song at the end. I wasn't familiar with him at the time, but that song was cool. Hurry up Amazon!

[Vlad Draculi]

Originally Posted by BLUgrass

Do you guys think there's any chance that when Battle of the Five Armies EE hits blu ray that they will offer a LOTR type box to put all the movies together? I would buy one

I hope so. They did that for LotR EE when they first came out.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by BLUgrass

Do you guys think there's any chance that when Battle of the Five Armies EE hits blu ray that they will offer a LOTR type box to put all the movies together? I would buy one

Star Wars, Alien, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Bond, Rocky, Rambo, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, etc. did, so why wouldn't the Middle-earth saga? Whenever you have a popular series of films where one studio owns the rights to all of them there is always a "complete collection" box set released eventually.

[JackKnightStarman]

Originally Posted by Packerfan75

Yeah, yeah. I knew someone would come along and say that I didn't have to buy the theatrical. I never have to buy anything, I know.
But as a fan, am I going to wait a year to see it again? No. The point is that the studios are maximizing profits at our expense when they could release both at the same time to give us a choice to buy it once.
I'm not saying anything against anyone who double, triples or quadruple dips. Buy them all, I don't care. I'm just taking a personal poll.

Look for the most part I agree. But when the studio announces before retail theatrical release that later in the year there will be a "better" version, I won't complain. Especially since this has been common practice with this franchise since the beginning in 2002 on DVD. Also there are numerous ways to watch without full price purchase. There used to be places called Video Stores, VOD, which gave way to mail rental, then kiosk rentals to now streaming and digital copy.

[poke smot]

Originally Posted by Packerfan75

I kind of have a love/hate thing going here. I caved and bought the EE today, especially considering it's 25min longer and the extras but I hate double dips.
I love LOTR (doubled with theatrical and EE also), the Hobbit and want as much time in Middle Earth as possible but the intentional delay to get us to double dip makes me feel like I'm falling for an obvious milking job.
I don't normally do this as most movies first release is good enough so I'm not used to it. It just sours the experience for me some. I know we're getting much more content with the EE but not getting the option at first release and knowing why is what bothers me.
Anyone else get bothered by the intentional delay to get you twice?

You could always do what I did: bought the uv copy of the theatrical for $5. Held me over until today, and I saved $20.

[rickah88]

So bitter! My 3D statue(along with Planes2) is somewhere in Delaware with not movement since yesterday!! I'm hoping the USPS works some magic tonight and has that package Out for Delivery tomorrow morning!
As a Prime member, I might have to contact Amazon if I don't get this by tomorrow!

[shamus]

Originally Posted by rickah88

So bitter! My 3D statue(along with Planes2) is somewhere in Delaware with not movement since yesterday!! I'm hoping the USPS works some magic tonight and has that package Out for Delivery tomorrow morning!
As a Prime member, I might have to contact Amazon if I don't get this by tomorrow!

contact them by email. they will give you credit or extend your prime.

[SethRex]

I asked for the EE for chrismtas...but I gotta say I had a chance to pick up the EE steelbook from Target today. I chose not to. I have a feeling that's gonna kick me in the arse but still I gotta wait to see if I even get it for christmas. But I am getting really interested in watching the EE eek!

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Originally Posted by jaredofmo

Edgar_in_Indy, there is a Portugese track and subtitles.

Thank you so much!

[jaredofmo]

Originally Posted by Edgar_in_Indy

Thank you so much!

[BLUgrass]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Star Wars, Alien, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Bond, Rocky, Rambo, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, etc. did, so why wouldn't the Middle-earth saga? Whenever you have a popular series of films where one studio owns the rights to all of them there is always a "complete collection" box set released eventually.

Well yes I know that. I mean just the box - empty - that one could purchase to hold all the extended editions together.

[jaredofmo]

Originally Posted by BLUgrass

Well yes I know that. I mean just the box - empty - that one could purchase to hold all the extended editions together.

I wouldn't count on it, but we'll see. I'd love it if they did.

[Moviefan2k4]

I just saw this for the first time since its theatrical run, and to be honest, I don't remember enough of that version to notice all the differences in the extended cut. Overall, I really enjoyed it though, and am glad to have it in my collection. I really hope "Battle of the Five Armies" lives up to the hype, and I'm also hoping it doesn't take another full year for the extended cut of that to hit Blu-Ray.

[Cook]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I just saw this for the first time since its theatrical run, and to be honest, I don't remember enough of that version to notice all the differences in the extended cut. Overall, I really enjoyed it though, and am glad to have it in my collection. I really hope "Battle of the Five Armies" lives up to the hype, and I'm also hoping it doesn't take another full year for the extended cut of that to hit Blu-Ray.

It will. This is the release schedule WB and Jackson set out way back in 2001. Its been this way since FOTR. It isnt going to change. The Battle of the Five Armies EE will come out in November or December 2015.

Let's look at this logically. By sticking to the established schedule WB gets to spread their profits more, maximize sales of the Theatrical Cut and Jackson and crew gets plenty of time to finish the EE. And we the customer dont get a rushed release. Its advantageous for all of us. I know the wait sucks...god does it suck!, but these EE releases are truly remarkable and its because of the time Jackson and his crew put into them. Rushing it isnt the way to go about it.