Unfortunatly thats one of the sale copies we got at work, so I cant open i up for more detailed shots.
The image on the front is Lenticular. and Ill double check this on monday, but im 99% sure that it was a blue blu ray case inside the slipbox...not brown or some other color.
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! I'm sure I'll agree with all your points once I see the EE for myself; the additions sound really nice.
I cant see any part of a case in those pics. not crazy about the package though since I keep my blus of lotr in the digi dvd box. regardless more money I have to figure out how to spend or just wait for a bix set. no cant do that.
Anyone knows if the English subtitles for the Elvish/Orcish dialog will be burned-in like they were in the theatrical edition? I'd really hate that, especially as the font used is way too big. I heard that the iTunes version had no burned-in subtitles.
Anyone knows if the English subtitles for the Elvish/Orcish dialog will be burned-in like they were in the theatrical edition? I'd really hate that, especially as the font used is way too big. I heard that the iTunes version had no burned-in subtitles.
Thanks... Really disappointing. Especially awkward with dubbed versions having either double subtitles or subtitles with black background to cover the English ones. I would prefer to see the scenes without any subtitles though...
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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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