tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post6429671917178227079..comments2023-12-18T07:59:16.525-05:00Comments on Hats and Rabbits: The Desolation of Smaug: My Two Cents Chris Matarazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17885109959459471509noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post-12326630061810518482013-12-30T11:11:30.290-05:002013-12-30T11:11:30.290-05:00I especially agree with you about Bilbo and Smaug!...I especially agree with you about Bilbo and Smaug! That interplay in the book is great -- Bilbo is clearly developing into quite the intrepid adventurer and I don't see it in the film.<br /><br />And thanks for the reminder -- I ought to be shot. Chris Matarazzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17885109959459471509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post-61874928671868091702013-12-30T03:04:37.019-05:002013-12-30T03:04:37.019-05:00For some reason, I couldn't even recall Taurie...For some reason, I couldn't even recall Tauriel from the book. I had to go back and read it again. There was no such love interest.<br /><br />It would have done the movie a favor to have left Legolas at the edge of Mirkwood after that most epic slaughter fest at the river. Alas, where would the new audience be without Orlando? <br /><br />I would've liked to see them develop more on the naming of Sting - the Spider's Bane (at least more than a simple "heh, shtiiing, that sounds cool'). I also disagree with the portrayal of Bilbo's behavior towards Smaug. As I recall in the book, he mocked Smaug and toyed with him, only to be countered with the dragon's inflamed ego.<br /><br />It seems to be like all movie adaptations of books: a great film for those who haven't read the books, and a pretty enjoyable experience for those who have. <br /><br />Beyond that all, the only thing I disagree with (sort of) is that this was the weaker adaptation. I'm still trying to place my vote on which of the two so far was better.<br /><br />P.S. Don't forget about the lyrics!Alexis Delanoirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09507261330011665079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post-77810086543687938402013-12-28T13:02:49.505-05:002013-12-28T13:02:49.505-05:00It's weird territory and I don't want to c...It's weird territory and I don't want to cave in to the intentional fallacy, but Tolkien did say, in his letters, that he regretted some of the silliness of the Hobbit. Maybe he would have liked the direction Jackson went -- that is, if he hadn't hated movies so much.... I agree, though - it was a fun movie to watch. To me, it is a shame he didn't make as good a movie as the last. Just watched An Unexpected Journey yesterday. Superior in every way to Desolation...Chris Matarazzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17885109959459471509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693471143220681808.post-79074360880619413272013-12-28T00:05:46.133-05:002013-12-28T00:05:46.133-05:00I saw the movie today with my delighted ten-year-o...I saw the movie today with my delighted ten-year-old nephew, and pretty much agree with your take on it. I suspect that the LoTR movies were such an all-encompassing experience for Peter Jackson that he now only knows how to make one kind of Tolkien movie, with a tone and approach that aren't quite suitable for the gentler, sweeter book he's supposed to be adapting.<br /><br />I did enjoy it—it's fun to dip back into Jackson's version of Middle Earth—and every so he strikes a humane, character-driven note that elevates this movie over most action-adventure spectacles, but it felt very padded, and you're right: it's not quite <i>The Hobbit.</i>Jeffhttp://www.quidplura.comnoreply@blogger.com