I went to see "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" today. Now, being a huge LOTR fan, I was feeling a bit skeptical because of history behind actually getting this film made, as well as how they decided to split it into another trilogy (but they will most certainly get my money, because these are films that must be seen on the big screen). I think of this as my STAR WARS. 6 movies, the first three being the last of the series and here we have the beginning of the story told to us after we've seen what happens. Now we can connect the dots, with Peter Jackson, the director, making sure we do and leaving no stone unturned in the Middle Earth. The difference between LOTR and Star Wars is simple...LOTR is fucking fantastic in every single aspect.
Now it's been almost a decade since "The Return of the King" swept through the theaters and took home many Oscars. Hard to believe, but technology has yet again improved, although I refuse to see movies in 3D, I am extremely happy that Peter Jackson is at the helm of this prequel trilogy because I feel like it is within him to do each film justice. He keeps very faithful to the books, here even adapting some of the appendices in "ROTK" in such a way that the story flows rather well.
The cinematography is amazing as the Middle Earth world is filled with lightness and darkness in all the right places. It is a very visually stimulating film, as the preceding films were. I got sucked into the story from the very beginning, even though the first hour or so is characters hanging out, character development and story background. All of it is a necessity though, because as the culminating confrontation comes to a head, I was very involved with these characters but especially Bilbo Baggins (the hero).
I absolutely loved the film-stealing scene between Bilbo and Gollum (yes, he's back!) in which they trade riddles with each other. Instant classic scene. Another great scene involves new creatures to the Middle Earth world- Trolls. Simply a delightful scene in the movie. I also thoroughly enjoyed being thrust into the underworld, where the goblins live. The underworld had been previously reserved for the birthplace of the Orcs (who are also present in the film but sort of take a backseat to the story in this, the first of the trilogy).
I have always enjoyed the entire LOTR series because it is about so much more than just a fantasy, a made up world. Here, The Hobbit tackles themes such as "personal growth and heroism." The motifs of war perhaps mirror the experiences during WW1 that Tolkien had himself, in real life.
I will paraphase some of the research I've done here.
The evolution of maturation of the protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is central to the story. This journey of maturation, where Bilbo gains a clear sense of identity and confidence in the outside world. The Jungian concept of individuation is also reflected through this theme of growing maturity and capability, with contrasting Bilbo's personal growth against the arrested development of the dwarves. Thus, while Gandalf exerts a parental influence over Bilbo early on, it is Bilbo who gradually takes over leadership of the party, a fact the dwarves could not bear to acknowledge.
Do yourself a favor and go see this movie.
Now it's been almost a decade since "The Return of the King" swept through the theaters and took home many Oscars. Hard to believe, but technology has yet again improved, although I refuse to see movies in 3D, I am extremely happy that Peter Jackson is at the helm of this prequel trilogy because I feel like it is within him to do each film justice. He keeps very faithful to the books, here even adapting some of the appendices in "ROTK" in such a way that the story flows rather well.
The cinematography is amazing as the Middle Earth world is filled with lightness and darkness in all the right places. It is a very visually stimulating film, as the preceding films were. I got sucked into the story from the very beginning, even though the first hour or so is characters hanging out, character development and story background. All of it is a necessity though, because as the culminating confrontation comes to a head, I was very involved with these characters but especially Bilbo Baggins (the hero).
I absolutely loved the film-stealing scene between Bilbo and Gollum (yes, he's back!) in which they trade riddles with each other. Instant classic scene. Another great scene involves new creatures to the Middle Earth world- Trolls. Simply a delightful scene in the movie. I also thoroughly enjoyed being thrust into the underworld, where the goblins live. The underworld had been previously reserved for the birthplace of the Orcs (who are also present in the film but sort of take a backseat to the story in this, the first of the trilogy).
I have always enjoyed the entire LOTR series because it is about so much more than just a fantasy, a made up world. Here, The Hobbit tackles themes such as "personal growth and heroism." The motifs of war perhaps mirror the experiences during WW1 that Tolkien had himself, in real life.
I will paraphase some of the research I've done here.
The evolution of maturation of the protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is central to the story. This journey of maturation, where Bilbo gains a clear sense of identity and confidence in the outside world. The Jungian concept of individuation is also reflected through this theme of growing maturity and capability, with contrasting Bilbo's personal growth against the arrested development of the dwarves. Thus, while Gandalf exerts a parental influence over Bilbo early on, it is Bilbo who gradually takes over leadership of the party, a fact the dwarves could not bear to acknowledge.
The overcoming of greed and selfishness has been seen as the central moral of the story. While greed is a recurring theme in the novel, with many of the episodes stemming from one or more of the characters' simple desire for food or a desire for beautiful objects, such as gold and jewels, it is only by the Arkenstone's influence upon Thorin that greed, and its attendant vices "coveting and malignancy," come fully to the fore in the story and provide the moral crux of the tale.
Much like the "ring" in the final installments of the series as to do with greed and selfishness, I mean, that's why Gollum ends up the way he does.
Much like the "ring" in the final installments of the series as to do with greed and selfishness, I mean, that's why Gollum ends up the way he does.
Do yourself a favor and go see this movie.
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