Sorry for the long delay in new posts! I was away for the holidays, and did not get a chance to post.
Mr. Y and I did manage to see the Hobbit over the holidays, and we both enjoyed it. I am actually not a big fan of the book, and I was skeptical as to how they would stretch this book into three movies, but after seeing the first one, I like how Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens fleshed out some of the scenes in the book and added stuff from the appendices to fill in some blanks.
SPOILER ALERT!
The Hobbit definitely brought the fans back to Lord of the Rings land, and it was a welcome return. The movie is set 60 years before the events in LOTR, and it is bittersweet to know what was going to happen in the future. The movie started with Ian Holm reprising his role as old Bilbo, and writing his memoirs on the day of his 111th birthday party. Elijah Wood also came back as Frodo and this movie talked about him surprising Gandalf on the road before the party, which was the start of the Fellowship of the Ring.
I thought Martin Freeman did an excellent job playing a younger Bilbo. He really got the mannerisms and hobbit-isms down. Ian McKellen was amusing as usual as Gandalf, and glad he came back.
The dwarfs were a bit hard to keep track of, but Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield definitely stood above the rest. He is a very good looking man in real life and all the hair and drawf makeup didn't mask that. Plus he really brings a sense of power and nobility to the character.
I enjoy the White Council scene between Gandalf, Saruman, Elrond, and Galadriel. They were discussing the threat of the Necromancer, which will turn out to be Sauron in LOTR, and as a foreshadowing of the events in LOTR, it was clear that Saruman was dismissive of the threat while Elrond and Galadriel took it more seriously.
The best scenes were between Gollum and Bilbo. The technology has definitely improved since LOTR, and Gollum is so much more lifelike. You can really see Andy Serkis's acting choices, and it's a shame people won't recognize what a great acting achievement this is. You can't help but feel sorry for Gollum, and you understand why Bilbo didn't kill him.
I am definitely excited for the next installment, especially Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug's voice.
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