So, I just got home from watching the midnight release of The Hobit [no spoilers]

[Jay Knowles]

as the title suggests, I just finished watching The Hobbit midnight release (in 3D). while I don't want to spoil anything, I would like to add my two cents.

do not, and I repeat DO NOT watch it in 3d. I usually like 3D movies, but this one might be one to give a miss. I'm not sure if the 2D version is in 60fps, but it looks really clunky and as if it's been sped up ever so slightly, just enough to notice, and just enough to pull you right back from being able to get lost in the world.

That being said, the rest of the movie is absolutely brilliant, even the CGI monsters which I was a bit sceptical about at first grew on me, largely because Peter Jackson intended to carve out a separate piece of middle earth to tell his tale. It's not going for the super gritty, dark, ultra realism that Lord of the Rings was, it's more fanciful and fun and the CGI sees to fit in.

The sound and score is amazing, I'll be surprised if it doesn't win an award for it.

Probably the most important part for me was the characterisation. They made the dwarves seem like actual propper people with individual thoughts and feelings, not just [insert stereotypical dwarf here, *cough* Gimli *cough*] they all really start to grow on you after a while, and there's a really touching moment in there as well (not going to say when, where or who). also you get to see a bit of the other wizards and it really deepens a lot of how I thought of Gandalf to be.

alright, I need to sleep, so...

tldr; a definite watch (but you all knew that), watch it in 2d.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

They made the dwarves seem like actual propper people with individual thoughts and feelings, not just [insert stereotypical dwarf here, *cough* Gimli *cough*] they all really start to grow on you after a while

Dwarves that seem like actual people, what magic is this?
I admit, I'm getting a little tired of stereotypical Dwarves, it's always about ale and beards and more ale and more beards.

Thanks for the heads up on the 3D version.

 

[Smertnik]

The movie has been filmed with 48fps, not 60, as far as I'm aware. And I'm pretty sure the framerate would be the same for 2D and 3D.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

The movie has been filmed with 48fps, not 60, as far as I'm aware. And I'm pretty sure the framerate would be the same for 2D and 3D.

The 48FPS is only for the 3D. The 2D is in "traditional" 24FPS.

The general word on the 48FPS version is that it is...a problematic implementation of "new" technology that is going to take some getting used to. Everything filmmakers know and understand about filmmaking technique comes from the 24FPS era, and the 48FPS makes everything seem...I'm not sure how to put this. Like a soap opera? Cheap. Like a PBS special. Not because they actually are, but because all the things 24FPS used to obfuscate seem more evident. For a film like the Hobbit, so dependent on makeup and visual effects, it makes it look very cheesy and ren faire. The visual acuity is amazing, but it totally breaks the suspension of disbelief.

TLDR - See the 24FPS version unless you're a film wonk and want to see the first teething pains of new technology.

 

[Jonluw]

Thanks for the heads-up on the 3D version. Guess I'll be seeing it in 2D, then.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

They made the dwarves seem like actual propper people with individual thoughts and feelings, not just [insert stereotypical dwarf here, *cough* Gimli *cough*] they all really start to grow on you after a while

Dwarves that seem like actual people, what magic is this?
I admit, I'm getting a little tired of stereotypical Dwarves, it's always about ale and beards and more ale and more beards.

Thanks for the heads up on the 3D version.

You say that as if ale and beards are bad! Ale and beards are what make life worth living!
OT- good. I plan on seeing it for the midnight release here in 2d anyway. $2.50 isn't worth it.

 

[Smertnik]

The movie has been filmed with 48fps, not 60, as far as I'm aware. And I'm pretty sure the framerate would be the same for 2D and 3D.

The 48FPS is only for the 3D. The 2D is in "traditional" 24FPS.

Aww, really? What a bummer. I guess I'll have to watch it in 3D then as a "film wonk".

Edit: Apparently not even every cinema in my area shows it in HFR and those that do don't show it in English. Grrr.

 

[Berithil]

Bummer. I'm going to the midnight premiere on thursday, and all they have is 3D tickets at my local theater.

Ah well...

It's good to see someone giving the movie a thumbs up. I think too many people are comparing it to LOTR, when the two are very different

 

[Eddy-16]

do not, and I repeat DO NOT watch it in 3d.

Is it the normal 3D that looks like arse or just the higher FPS 3D version? Or do you only have one version in the States?

 

[Casual Shinji]

Dwarves that seem like actual people, what magic is this?
I admit, I'm getting a little tired of stereotypical Dwarves, it's always about ale and beards and more ale and more beards.

Thanks for the heads up on the 3D version.

Though one has the sneaking suspicion the reason they made some of the dwarves as un-dwarfish as possible was to appeal to the Legolas/Aragorn crowd.

I mean, hello...!

Spoiler

That's the most dashing dwarf I've ever seen in my life.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Dwarves that seem like actual people, what magic is this?
I admit, I'm getting a little tired of stereotypical Dwarves, it's always about ale and beards and more ale and more beards.

Thanks for the heads up on the 3D version.

Though one has the sneaking suspicion the reason they made some of the dwarves as un-dwarfish as possible was to appeal to the Legolas/Aragorn crowd.

I mean, hello...!

Spoiler

That's the most dashing dwarf I've ever seen in my life.

I would be lying if I said I'm not intrigued...
<---shameless.

 

[Jay Knowles]

Is it the normal 3D that looks like arse or just the higher FPS 3D version? Or do you only have one version in the States?

I live in New Zealand, the states doesn't get it until 3 days after us I think, we get all 3 versions, just well, I wanted to see what it was like with more fps, the pc gamer in me is convinced that more is better, but the rest of me is saying "Bilbo shouldn't be walking that fast?!". That being said, the clarity was amazing. Everything looked crisp and sharp. and there didn't seem to be any slight stuttering you get with some regular films.

Also, the dwarves drink plenty of ale and bread and meat, but they don't make a big deal about it. They put just enough in for you to know they're dwarves, but the rest is filled out with other interesting facets of their culture. From what I remember of the book Tolkein, was making constant references to bombur being really fat and eating a lot, playing it off for comic relief. Jackson doesn't do that, I think there's one time that he gets called fat, and maybe two times there's any mention of him eating lots of food. Mostly you can sort of see him doing it in the background if you're looking for it.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Though one has the sneaking suspicion the reason they made some of the dwarves as un-dwarfish as possible was to appeal to the Legolas/Aragorn crowd.

I mean, hello...!

Spoiler

That's the most dashing dwarf I've ever seen in my life.

What...that's not a dwarf! Lies! LIES I SAY! He's ruined the Hobbit forever!

Nah, although he does have a every 'elf-ish' look to him and I'm betting Legolas was a point of inspiration in his design. I just hope he doesn't come across as an elf, but short.

I've heard that the 3D showings are literally making people sick because of how the movie was filmed and stuff like that. I've never cared for 3D to begin with, but now I will certainly be staying away from the 3D for this one. Good old 2D is fine for me.