The Hobbit (Movie)

**Vuk** · 01-09-2012, 17:08

So, what do you think from the trailer you have seen? Also, has anyone been watching the Video Blog?
Am I the only one who is more than a little concerned at the cheap, burlesque portrayal of the almost-anime-looking Dwarves? Also, why in flying-&*#$'s sakes did they change Gandalf's? staff? Are we to believe that between the Hobbit and the LotR he was given a new staff?

That said though, a lot of people have been giving them heat for the singing, but I for one think it was excellent. People forget that they are not supposed to be professional singers. It is supposed to just be ordinary people singing. Songs and poetry were a huge part of the Hobbit, and it would be wrong not to feature it in the movie.
So what's your opinion?

**rajpoot** · 01-09-2012, 17:38

The trailer makes it seem that while it will be a great fantasy movie, it does not have that...unique LotR feel it. More like a regular fantasy epic.
Still it will be nice to see Ian McKellen as Gandalf again.
And yeah I find that song quite fitting with the mood.

**Vuk** · 01-09-2012, 18:12

Originally Posted by rajpoot

The trailer makes it seem that while it will be a great fantasy movie, it does not have that...unique LotR feel it. More like a regular fantasy epic.
Still it will be nice to see Ian McKellen as Gandalf again.
And yeah I find that song quite fitting with the mood.

I agree. I will definitely still watch it, and will probably like it/not mind it, but I think it is missing that touch that the LotR had: subtlety. LotR (at least the first two films...the third one lost that touch too I think) portrayed things in a subtle, and realistic (for the fantasy setting) way, trusting to the viewer to understand and appreciate it. Return of the King lost that almost completely, and it looks like this will too. If I could name one thing that made LotR so much different (and so, so much better) than other fantasy movies out there, it would be subtlety. (not that awesome visuals didn't help, but again, their subtlety was one of their strengths that made the visuals so appealing)

**Gregoshi** · 01-09-2012, 18:15

First off, it is a teaser trailer - note that nothing is really said or shown about the story other than Bilbo is supposed to go on an adventure. I thought the dwarve's song was excellent and just like I'd expect to hear from a dwarf, kind of a deep droning. It looks like there may be a light-hearted feel to it like the book as there was a brief shot of the dwarves cleaning up the dishes ("Because that's what Bilbo Baggins hates!"). I'm anxious to see what Smaug looks like - I'm expecting to be wowed after the job they did with the balrog and the ents.

I didn't notice Gandalf's staff was different, but I can't believe it won't be explained somehow in the movies if they have gone to the trouble to change it. There are a couple of opportunities in the movies for Gandalf to have lost his "old" staff - the Battle of Five Armies and his trip to Dol Guldor the find out about the Necromancer, but I don't believe the loss of his staff are mentioned in any of Tolkien's writings. At the same time, I wonder why Jackson would see fit to change the staff if it was not written by Tolkien as it is such trivial thing.

I'm still quite excited about the movies.

**Monk** · 01-09-2012, 18:53

Originally Posted by Gregoshi

At the same time, I wonder why Jackson would see fit to change the staff if it was not written by Tolkien as it is such trivial thing.

One of the things I do like about Jackson in regards to this franchise is he always does something for a specific reason in order to advance the story telling of the books, even if its doing something outrageous and contrary to what happened in them. Elves at helms deep to show the elves were still in the fight, despite their fight occurring "off camera" in the book comes to mind as the biggest example of that.

**Vladimir** · 01-09-2012, 19:14

Stop looking at a gay man's staff and enjoy a wonderfully produced movie with an epic story.

**Vuk** · 01-09-2012, 19:32

Originally Posted by Vladimir

Stop looking at a gay man's staff and enjoy a wonderfully produced movie with an epic story.

Maybe I am just a hardcore, but I cannot help get upset when they go and change something like that with no apparent reason. It is not going to make or break the movie, but it still ticks me off.

**rajpoot** · 01-09-2012, 19:37

Originally Posted by Vladimir

Stop looking at a gay man's staff and enjoy a wonderfully produced movie with an epic story.

I beg to differ. In a gay man, I think, his staff is what others will look at first off.

**Fragony** · 01-10-2012, 13:54

Originally Posted by Vladimir

Stop looking at a gay man's staff and enjoy a wonderfully produced movie with an epic story.

I had to do it, click at your own considerable risk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QAlt4Sfl7Q

OT it will at least by worth your time

**Gregoshi** · 01-09-2012, 20:00

Originally Posted by Monk

Elves at helms deep to show the elves were still in the fight, despite their fight occurring "off camera" in the book comes to mind as the biggest example of that.

I was thinking about that just yesterday (I'm re-reading the books right now). Just to nit-pick, the elves would have most likely sent help to Minas Tirith to fight Sauron, not Helms Deep.

Originally Posted by Vuk

Maybe I am just a hardcore, but I cannot help get upset when they go and change something like that with no apparent reason. It is not going to make or break the movie, but it still ticks me off.

This is why I'm wondering if there will be a story element in the movies to explain the change in staff - the LotR staff was already made, so why make a new one if not necessary?

**Vladimir** · 01-09-2012, 20:27

Originally Posted by Gregoshi

I was thinking about that just yesterday (I'm re-reading the books right now). Just to nit-pick, the elves would have most likely sent help to Minas Tirith to fight Sauron, not Helms Deep.

This is why I'm wondering if there will be a story element in the movies to explain the change in staff - the LotR staff was already made, so why make a new one if not necessary?

Exactly. I'm not so much of a purist to think the movie should follow the book exactly. Elves at Helm's Deep had a much greater emotional impact and fit better into the elves' departure. The quicker they show up and fight, the quicker you can move the departure story.

I'm more worried about the massive number of dwarves reducing the film to a parody of itself. Gimli was great but a bunch if miniature Scotsmen running around may be too much. Producers need to account for visual impact and Peter Jackson's portrayal received a great amount of praise from hardcore fans. I'm confident in his abilities. (Is he directing this???)