The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - An IMAX 3D ExperienceMovie Reviews

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Written December 16, 2012
One tough Hobbit

by beatrice102

Great movie with a cliff hanger insisting on seeing #2 and then #3 I'm certain. Interesting that the crowd at the movie was well over 30 something. Young Bilbo was a hit.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written December 16, 2012
A Worthy Continuation

by WallytheShark

Regal opened a new 16 screen theatre here in Bellingham and I used this as an excuse to see the IMAX 3-D version of The Hobbit. For Peter Jackson fans this is a "must Go"; others may find the extensive stretching of the meager story in to three films a bit of a money-grabbing slog. BUT the film is well-crafted and acted with more of a humerous tinge than the Lord of the Rings (maybe that should have been six films?). The 3-D effects were balanced and not gimmicky. Overall, even at $17 for the IMAX, the film is quite worthy.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written December 14, 2012
An Entertaining Journey Back Through Middle Earth...

by detrichwong

Although not quite up to par with the trilogy, The Hobbit still delivers a solid 3 hours of exciting, nostalgic entertainment back through Middle Earth- this time through the eyes of Bilbo Baggins. Beautiful cinematography, exciting 3D effects, intense action sequences, and a thundering soundtrack wrapped into the LOTR's original look & feel are the highlights of the film- with a 10-minute scene of a stunningly beautiful Cate Blanchett reprising her role as Galadriel to boot... *** That said, the storytelling is a bit slow and awkward at times- often seeming more like a Wonderful World of Disney film than a Peter Jackson blockbuster, per say. But, it never idles or stagnates on those scenes and quickly moves past them to keep the audience enthralled. Overall, The Hobbit is still a must-see for die-hard LOTR fans; a should-see for moderately interested fans; and a maybe for those indifferent to sitting 3.5 hours in the theater for trolls, goblins, and fire-breathing dragons.
- 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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Written December 30, 2012
All About The Theatre & Tech

by eodo

So I have seen the Hobbit in both standard HFR 3D in a normal theater and now also in a brand new (only 2 weeks old) IMAX HFR 3D. Definitely would say the IMAX screen and more encompassing screen does make the movie spectacle better, but there was something else I was not expecting, the SOUND.

The brand new IMAX in our area has an incredible sound system. It is not one with the latest Dolby ATMOS, but it was night and day compared to the standard (aging theater). You felt and sense the movie so much more. Some of Gandalf explosions rumbled through your chest as if you were standing there to witness its live. The clarity and channel separation made the sound-scape feel real. It was beautiful. Best sounding movie I have ever heard.

IMAX HFR 3D vs standard HFR 3D, IMAX wins hands down just for the field of view. Since The Hobbit was not shot in IMAX and sampled digitally it IMAX format I didn't expect any greater detail and I didn't notice any. HFR is hopefully the future
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written December 15, 2012
Slow beginning, true to book

by Laura M

IMAX 3-D wasn't necessary. Regular movie would suffice. Super long, 2 hrs, 49 min. Slow beginning, but just like the book, Tolkien has great character development. It was so slow I fell asleep. It picked up, amazing action, special effects. A lot of people in the theater were there for the 9 minute Star Trek trailer. ! Very true to book, except for a few scenes which added to spectacular theme/movie overall experience.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written January 1, 2013
The Hobbit

by

Being a big fan of the whole Lord of the Rings trillogy, the experience on seeing it on IMAX 3D just blew me away. Can't wait for the secual. IMAX is the way to go........
- 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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Written January 2, 2013
gorgeous

by shameem

Fantastic to look at, as expected, and who doesn't love Martin Freeman? He was a genius bit of casting for Bilbo. It really didn't need to be 3 hours long though. All the jammed in battles began to feel more for the spectacle than the story. Richard Armitage does a great job with Thorin as well, loved him. Definitely see it on the big screen, but know you will feel the time pass!
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written December 16, 2012
Wonderful, only minor quibbles

by dbryanb

Three hours just flew by, wonderful wonderful. The scenery was wonderful, it's one of the few movies in 3d that are actually worth the money. My only quibbles are minor. Myself and my family wanted to see a bit more of the Shire and a bit more what it was like to be a Hobbit. We wanted to know about first and second and third breakfast.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written December 23, 2012
A new classic

by hmoloy

The movie was able to pick up with many familiar seemingly ageless characters in their roles and the movie experience itself is simply fantastic in IMAX 3D. I loved it. In addition the new characters were very compelling. The new Bilbo was a very complex character well acted. If you even passingly liked Lord of the Rings, I am pretty sure you would love this one.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written December 15, 2012
Good, but bad

by monkies

For those of you that have actually read the book, you will notice a lot of changes. For example, they totally skipped important parts in the book. In addition, there was not enough reliability on the ring in the movie. Finally, in three hours you would expect them to tell the whole story, but they only get to half of the story. Although there are these changes, I would still recomend that you go see it. I mean, if you saw the original you know this one has to be better.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written December 29, 2012
Stunning & Engaging

by igschauer

IMAX 3D is well-worth the extra money. Amazing Hobbit movie experience: fantastic NZ vistas combined with storytelling at its finest and the raw energy of elvish combat. Treat yourself to a grown-up, visual hot fudge sundae and go see this movie.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written December 24, 2012
Uhm...more please!

by mapate

First off, IMAX 3D was an awesome experience for this movie. Secondly, CGI has come a long way and this movie is prime proof. Just compare for yourself the difference between Gollum in this movie and in the prior LotR trilogy or the goblin lair in this movie and the orcs under the mountain in The Fellowship of the Ring. This movie is beautiful, visually. The story starts off a little slowly IMO but it's somewhat necessary, I suppose. Once the adventure departs The Shire the action picks up and never stops for more than a minute or two. I can honestly say I left the movie asking how I would possibly wait another year for part II. The big question in my mind was "How will this movie stand up to the original LotR trilogy?" The answer, IMO, is...very well. In fact, tit for tat, I think this opener to the trilogy is at least equal to The Fellowship of the Ring. So...go see for yourself!
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written March 9, 2013
GREAT Depiction of The Hobbit

by lghoeck

They did a great job - breaking the book down allowed the story be told in full. The story did have a few added scenes NOT in the book - but all in all a true rendition.
It's a shame this wasn't done first. The Hobbit is not the best book in the series, but is essential to the story as a whole. Those who have read the whole series will not be disappointed; those who have not read the books will wonder what it has to do with the trilogy.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written December 14, 2012
Pure Magic

by debsilvarn

I am a huge critic of books that are made into movies as they never seem to capture the story to my satisfaction. I was pleasantly surprised with this one, to say the least and it was pure joy to see one of my favorite stories come to life. A must see!
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Written December 16, 2012
Gratuitous length and extended fighting scenes near fatal

by smokejumper24

Ignoring the captivating aspects entirely, the film suffered significantly from too little situational development (more of the Bilbo - Precious type encounters needed), and too many/too lengthy battle scenes. Last it was about 20 minutes too long, but if it has been structured differently, and came with an INTERMISSION (what a concept), then we're talking talking some serious Hobbit hooch!
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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