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

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I'm In
Written December 19, 2012
Hobbit Review

by mastereji

I thought it was a great movie. I've seen it twice already. People need to realize it is a whole different story than Lord of the Rings. I highly recommend this movie for everyone.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 5, 2013
STELLAR!!!!!!!!!!

by ladyhunt

I loved it to the MAX.......you gotta know...My Grand-Daughter had seen it(13) and said "you gotta go Gramma!!!" Also my husband,(We're in our 60's) mother in law(86) ......Totally all of us were impressed!!! Stellar film...Can't wait till the next!!!
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
A Must See for Tolkien Fans

by

I had an amazing time at the Hobbit last night. One of the group I went with is as much a Tolkien nerd as I am and we nerded out the entire movie. It was detailed and beautiful in a way that Jackson simply didn't have time for in LotR.

My biggest negative thing about the movie was the fans who, as they left left at the end, were trying to explain to each other all the parts that weren't true to the book. About how Jackson "stretched it out to fill three movies." Yes, there are scenes not in the book "The Hobbit" Do they happen during "The Hobbit"? CERTAINLY. EVERY ADDED SCENE WAS A REAL SCENE TOLKIEN WROTE DOWN SOMEWHERE.

Jackson pulls from all of the source material: there are gems from the Appendices at the end of LotR, there are scenes that he ended up cutting from LotR; there is material reference from the Silmarillion. It is a lovely crafted work. And yes, it feels much more like a LotR prequel than the book. But that's okay. It fits into the the world perfectly.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 3, 2013
Tolkien anything, gotta love it.

by fanfairchilde

What can I say, as a 45+ Tolkien, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro fan. this was a treat for all of my senses and sensibilities, as I believe it to be for fans and non-fans, young and old. Granted, creative licenses were taken; and how could they not be? Perspective was needed in relation to the previous Jackson/Tolkien trilogy, and if not for those prior viewers, then for those poor souls who've yet to enjoy The Hobbit text. Lavish story enhancing embellishment leant only to drive the plot and deepened entertainment values. These were smartly executed, brilliantly edited, and actor/action portrayals were spot on, including those never seen before characters, especially CGI which makes, as in prior films, a huge contribution to bringing this beloved adventure to life. Bravissimo.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written December 16, 2012
The Hobbit

by suzannerau

The movie was great. We were disappointed that it ended before the story was complete. We thought we were going to see the whole "journey" but only saw part of it because the movie ended prematurely. We felt a little tricked and ripped off.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
Superb and Exciting!!

by

This was a fabulous movie, that I would recommend to any LOTR fan. The story line was great, and all the characters are wonderful! I will be buying this on BluRay! Super excited for the following installments!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written January 7, 2013
A Must See for Fans of the Genre

by

I saw this movie twice now. The visuals were outstandingly, amazingly, crisp. Let me start by saying that I have never read The Hobbit but I did read LoTR and watched those three movies at least 20 times or so each That being said people that I know have read the book, said that this movie was turned into less of an adaptation of the Hobbit book and more of a prequel to the LoTR movie trilogy. It has the same characters as the book but throws in some of the (younger versions of) characters from LoTR. You'll see older Bilbo before his 111th birthday, you'll see Elrond, Saruman, Galadriel, and Frodo as well. The tone was more upbeat and comical than the LoTR series. The dwarves were hilarious and their humor fed off of each other. Gandalf was much more interesting and less dark. Perhaps he hadn't earned his title of Storm Crow yet. Lots of action, great 3D, 3 hours long, laughs-a-plenty, not very true to the book, definitely a must see for you fans.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
The Hobbit

by

Amazing movie. Saw it in IMAX 3D last night/this morning. Read how some people thought it didn't look great with the fast frame rate. I was so enthralled I never noticed anything but perfection. It is faithful to the soul of the book and the acting and characters are outstanding. I will be seeing it many more times before it leaves theaters! Thank you Peter Jackson for transporting me back to my most favorite place in the world.
Scary for kids younger than 10ish. Depends on the child I guess. The end made me and my 14 year old daughter cry...in a good way.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
IMAX 3D 48 fps visually outstanding

by williamsburgnyc

But, everyone around me seem to take their 3D glasses off and close their eyes from time to time to rest. We all left with enormous headaches. It was visually outstanding, but caused eye strain.

Unfortunately, we were deprived of the advertised initial 9-minutes of the forthcoming Star Trek Into Darkness. Our film had no trailers at all, jumped right into the Hobbit at movie time which was very disappointing mostly because many people come late counting on 20 minutes worth of trailers. During the first 20 minutes of The Hobbit it was exhaustibly difficult to focus on the movie with the constant flow of movie goers trying to find their assigned seat in the dark...

Yes, the IMAX 3D had assigned seating, which was great to have, but a downside is that folks really thought they had the luxury of arriving late since they could count on their seat being available.

I suppose like all new things we will adapt and in time the process will improve.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Amazing new stuff mixed with more of the same

by

Viewed in IMAX-3D: I loved this book more than the LOTR books so I had much higher expectations for this film. That being said, in my opinion, the scenes where the movie stays closest to the book are amazing and like nothing in the LOTR films. The places where Peter Jackson and his screen writing partners take story / artistic liberty are just more of the same. I understand that movies are not books and some story changes may be necessary for time or pacing however I can not understand why Jackson felt it necessary to insert characters into such a well known and well crafted story and also found it necessary to adjust the books timing of events. Also, Jackson's action / battle scenes are identically paced and begin to repeat elements which just makes them uninteresting, predictable and boring. Finally, why this movie was released in 3D is also puzzling as the 3D is flat and becomes virtually unnoticeable mid way through. Still this is a must see for any fan of the book or LOTR,
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
The Hobbit

by suedel

Saw it at IMAX, 3-D, still find it unbelievable. First few scene pans I was a bit nauseous but soon found my brain accepting the visuals without rebelling. Probably will go again, at least once more at the IMAX, though would be interested to see 'plain' version - not 3-D and at regular frame speed - before it goes to TV. If you haven't yet, you have to see it.
New IMAX theatre here in Delaware is a great addition to our entertainment options.
Thought the acting in this one from some of the lead characters was superb, Bilbo is great. Lighting and cinematography added greatly to a tight script. Don't think Tolkien would have objected to the tweaks to the story - nothing substantial, anyway.
Movie is long and compelling, don't drink too much liquid 'cos you won't want to miss a, very fast, frame.
- 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Loved it, can't wait for the next one

by bass679

The hobbit has a special place for me, it's the first real book I remember reading and so it has a sentimental touch. An Unexpected Journey is a great film. It has a much lighter tone than LotR but that is in keeping with the source material. I was especially surprised how the numerous songs which filled the book were actually included in a fairly seamless manner. Some parts with goblins and orcs may be a bit frightening for small children.

As you may expect from the length, there are several scenes not from the book. Mostly additional back story and scenes to tie this movie back to the LotR. There was a bit too much shakey cam during action scenes but the overall effect was fine.

I saw it in IMAX 3D. IMAX was worth it, the 3D was good but not necessary.
- 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Written December 24, 2012
Good

by zeemovies1

The Hobbit was a welcome return to Middle Earth. It all felt so familiar even though there was a new cast of characters to get to know and I still do not know all the names of the 13 dwarfs in the company. The scenery, the way the story unfolded, the dialogue and naturalness between the interactions of the characters, everything was there and right and good and it was great to just get lost in it. I didn't truly realize I had been sitting for 3hrs in the cinema, I just wanted it to continue. Even with all of that I cannot give this movie the highest rating because the magic that first got me hooked with the Fellowship of the Ring wasn't quite there with this one. Peter Jackson did fabulously and I look forward to the next two installments in this journey.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 16, 2012
Extravagant, exciting and completely destroys the spirit of the story

by

After creating such a spectacular movie while remaining true to the story and spirit of LOTR, I am so incredibly disappointed with the travesty this movie has has made of The Hobbit.

If you have never read the book or if you only care about the fantastic fight scenes and breathtaking cinematography, then this movie will just be the prequel to the LOTR that you hoped it would be. Go see it in IMAX 3D or whatever they best quality theater you can. It is worth the ticket price to see.

For those of us who have loved this story since childhood, it is heartbreaking to know that Peter Jackson has sold out the Tolkien story just to show off his CGI "talent" and make as much money as possible.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 24, 2012
The Hobbit

by scifisoul

What a luxury to be back in Bilbo's world. A lot of effort is on-screen to tap into many of the characters we all hold so closely as fans, with just enough new ones to push us forward or back as it were. The new wizard is one of the favorites. The 3D on the IMAX screen (the original huge one ... not the new smaller digital versions) was a bit overwhelming. In some of the gorgeous pans of the scenes you wanted to see in detail, it becomes just a blur so you simply could not see them. Otherwise is very effective. Will have to see it again ... without 3D to see what I missed the first time! Gorgeous to see and great fun and a great ride. Howard Shore's score is stellar again.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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