By Ashley Davis
Copy Editor
For those of you that saw “The Hobbit,” please hear me out. If you disagree with my views, feel free to contact me, and we’ll hold a public forum at your earliest convenience.
Reactions to these kinds of movies can always be divided into two categories: 1) those that have read the books 2) those that haven’t. I fall into the former.
If you haven’t read the books, most of this column will not apply to you.
On opening night, I came to the theater with high expectations, as I loved the other Lord of the Rings movies. This was perhaps my downfall.
As an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy, I have great respect for J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. I’ve read the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit respectively and think they are great books that everyone should at least be familiar with.
When you admittedly and unashamedly love something, you set yourself up for disappointment or even disillusionment for when that thing (or person) inevitably fails you. Nothing will ever sway my love for the books, but seeing “The Hobbit” movie was one of the lowest, most underwhelming points of my life.
First of all, splitting it into three movies? Unnecessary. I think it’s a sham and an exploitation of true Tolkien fans’ time. I hated “The Hobbit” movie, but I’m going to see the next movie and the next because I have to see whether Peter Jackson will destroy Tolkien’s good work again or do a halfway decent job.
The movie was incredibly long. That’s what made it all the more disappointing. The whole time, in my mind I kept saying, “This is going to get better.” But it never did. And then it was over. When I stood up to leave my legs were hurting, and not because the seats were uncomfortable.
I also think the director took way too much creative license with the story. The brown wizard isn’t in the book at all, and the “pale” orc was unnecessary as well as inaccurate.
I understand that for production purposes there must be some leeway given for the sake of time and details must be reworked to fit a video timeline, but in this case it was too much.
The acting was subpar. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) was the only redeeming presence among the lot. Bilbo, played by Martin Freeman, was true to character in looks and had a good start. But after they left the Shire, it was downhill from there.
The special effects were disappointing as well. Throughout the movie, I couldn’t understand why the special effects were so crummy when The Lord of the Rings trilogy, made years ago, was amazing in quality with less advanced technology.
I will concede that the soundtrack was great, but you should expect nothing less of Howard Shore. Peter Jackson, on the other hand, should’ve known better.
Bottom line, this movie was hard to get through. Even putting aside my more critical expectations as a journalist and as a fan of the books, it was hard to get through.
Shame on you, Peter Jackson!
