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The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug is good
- Thread starter Chuck Norris
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It was entertaining. I originally thought it was better than Unexpected Journey, but after watching it for a second time I think I prefer the first one. I felt like the second one had more obvious filler, and there were several things I didn't care for, namely
. Neither of the movies do a good job with character development either, Bilbo's screen time/amount of dialogue in the second one is kind of laughable. The action sequences are also very ridiculous/floaty, but at this point I'm guessing PJ was going for that, so I don't mind too much. Goes without saying that neither of them come even remotely close to what LOTR achieved. But I do enjoy them for what they are; fairly lighthearted blockbuster adventure flicks set in middle earth.
I didn't like Stephen Fry's performance (not sure if I'm in the minority there), didn't care for romance subplot, didn't like the Smaug stuff once he starts chasing them around
I liked the movie for what it was but I can understand if people didn't think it was a worthy adaptation.
The only things that I REALLY had a problem with were anything elf related (kind of ridiculous that he's mowing down these orcs no problem) and the forced romance was cringeworthy as hell (I really didn't need that at all). Also Smaug failing to roast a group of slow ass dwarves was pretty embarrassing too.
But Barrel scene was the GOAT (thank you for redeeming worst dwarf from the book) and since I've been going into these movies expecting a later, CG heavy LOTR take on the Hobbit, I haven't really been disappointed in that regard so I'm all good.
But I get why some people think otherwise.
Really? I remember everyone rattling on DoS when I was looking through it (or maybe that was another thread I'm thinking of)
The only things that I REALLY had a problem with were anything elf related (kind of ridiculous that he's mowing down these orcs no problem) and the forced romance was cringeworthy as hell (I really didn't need that at all). Also Smaug failing to roast a group of slow ass dwarves was pretty embarrassing too.
But Barrel scene was the GOAT (thank you for redeeming worst dwarf from the book) and since I've been going into these movies expecting a later, CG heavy LOTR take on the Hobbit, I haven't really been disappointed in that regard so I'm all good.
But I get why some people think otherwise.
Really? I remember everyone rattling on DoS when I was looking through it (or maybe that was another thread I'm thinking of)
I loved it, great adventure movie that was a lot of fun. The golden statue at the end was a bitch much though.
Gaf already made it's mind up that this one would be shitty when they found out it was separated into two films.
Gaf gonna Gaf.
Gaf already made it's mind up that this one would be shitty when they found out it was separated into two films.
No
But Smaug isn't a guy trying to swat 10 flies, he's trying to swat 10 other insect things that are slow, can't fly, and Smaug also has bug spray at his disposal
freenudemacusers
Member
i liked it especially when legolas was doing all those cool moves with his sword and bow and that elf girl was saving the dwarves. bilbo made me laugh will all of his funny faces and jokes. plus the dragon was cool and scary.
Uncle0wnage
Member
It was bad.
The Tofunator
Member
If we were to take this analogy further, consider that the room cannot catch fire, and I have a flamethrower that can't hurt me. These flies, on the other hand, are rather slow and can't fly. They'd be well done in seconds.
EDIT: Beaten by Evilisk
I have the exact same opinion as this. I liked Unexpected Journey,which was a surprise because I haven't liked a Peter Jackson film in a long time. DoS was just terrible, too many new additions and the art style seemed quite gloomy compared to the vibrant UJ. I didn't even like Smaug, the whole sequence felt like a video game and I was just bored and detached throughout.
I have no interest in seeing the final film.
Fair point.
Monocle
Member
Yes, it's great. Smaug is the best dragon in film history. Gandalf vs. the Necromancer gave me the thing I wanted to see most of all in the original trilogy.
I love what Peter Jackson and co. are doing with their Hobbit adaptation. These people's love of cinema and reverence for Tolkien shines through every frame. Sometimes public and critical consensus is badly misguided. The unwarranted backlash against the first two Hobbit films proves it.
I love what Peter Jackson and co. are doing with their Hobbit adaptation. These people's love of cinema and reverence for Tolkien shines through every frame. Sometimes public and critical consensus is badly misguided. The unwarranted backlash against the first two Hobbit films proves it.
The best thing about the movie is the final moments before the credits roll and Ed Sheeran's utterly FANTASTIC song starts playing.
It's soooo good.
It's soooo good.
The Tofunator
Member
You sure we saw the same Smaug? Because I sure as hell didn't see anything that would make him qualify as even a semi-mediocre dragon, let alone the best dragon. He's definitely the best dragon that you can easily taunt and avoid, he probably won't even scratch Laketown next film.
Hours Left
Member
It outclasses AUJ in every way. Still pales in comparison to the original trilogy.
neogaf.gif.
Anyway, I liked it. It's not on the same level as LOTR but it's still enjoyable. Smaug was great but I kind of wished they lowered the CG use, there's just so much of it.
freenudemacusers
Member
he had a really cool voice and sounded smart like a british detective or something.
Monocle
Member
Who cares how effective he is at squishing meatbags? His voice is amazing and his physical presence even more so.
Only good scene is the Smaug-Bilbo exchange.
Other than that they totally fucked up and the crappy action sequences were terrible to have to watch. And the Smaug chase scene was so stupid and not in any way necessary or relevant...
I love the Lotr films but deciding to make the hobbit into a Trilogy was the worst decision ever....
More filler than actual relevant story and you can't take any of the dwarfs or their quest seriously because they act as comic relief most of the time anyway...
What's with Bilbo being "accepted" into the group at the end of the last film and all of a sudden the dwarfs don't give a fuck about him any more in this movie.
Also; Thorin is more of an asshat than the arrogant/honorable dwarf he is supposed to be as depicted in the book.
Other than that they totally fucked up and the crappy action sequences were terrible to have to watch. And the Smaug chase scene was so stupid and not in any way necessary or relevant...
I love the Lotr films but deciding to make the hobbit into a Trilogy was the worst decision ever....
More filler than actual relevant story and you can't take any of the dwarfs or their quest seriously because they act as comic relief most of the time anyway...
What's with Bilbo being "accepted" into the group at the end of the last film and all of a sudden the dwarfs don't give a fuck about him any more in this movie.
Also; Thorin is more of an asshat than the arrogant/honorable dwarf he is supposed to be as depicted in the book.
The Tofunator
Member
All of that great work on voice and design kinda gets thrown out the window when he has nothing to back it up. I sure as hell wasn't impressed by it once he started whining near the end.
The source material is a 1930ies fairy tale like children's book, of course the dwarves don't die. Jacskon wants to stay true to the original book yet at the same time update it for a modern audience and make it feel like in tone closer to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This is what happens.
BurnOutBrighter
Banned
The 2nd helps expand on the seemingly random threads brought up in the first film. I think once we see the trilogy as a whole we'll get a new appreciation for Unexpected Journey.
Hobbit 2 was great though.
Hobbit 2 was great though.
Earthanoid
Member
I enjoyed LOTR the first time I saw it, and watching it again recently it bored me to death. Same thing happened when I saw the Hobbit
oS, and for the same reason: so much filler added in. The Hobbit also gets the bonus annoyance of constantly trying to tie it into LOTR. Which is a shame, because the source material has so much good stuff they could've used instead of making up their own crappy stuff.
oS, and for the same reason: so much filler added in. The Hobbit also gets the bonus annoyance of constantly trying to tie it into LOTR. Which is a shame, because the source material has so much good stuff they could've used instead of making up their own crappy stuff.Alcoremortis
Member
Best scene in the movie right there.
I kid, I kid.
Bilbo-Smaug scene all the way, but I don't have a gif for that. Though, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't half expecting it to turn into a murder mystery halfway through, with Bilbo just teaming up with Smaug to solve the murder of Greenwood or something. Or maybe that was just my impatience waiting for Season 3 of Sherlock. XP
Shining Sunshine
Banned
It's a great movie. Just treat it as fun action adventure.
These days, everyone wants every movie to be The Last of Us of movies.
These days, everyone wants every movie to be The Last of Us of movies.
Fix The Scientist
Member
AUJ was good fun, nowhere near LOTR trilogy but fun. DOS was pretty bad.
MemoryHumanity
Member
Much, much better than the first, I thought.
It's like a Mimic and a Bonewheel from the Souls games had a baby, but instead of ambushing people who roll through scenery, it stumbled onto the set of a Peter Jackson film.
Best scene in the movie right there.
I kid, I kid.
not psycho
Member
How to fix The Hobbit:
Cut out everything with old Bilbo and Frodo. Start with young Bilbo being surprised by the dwarves. Keep going until the dwarves sing their song. Turn off the movie. Cancel the sequels.
Cut out everything with old Bilbo and Frodo. Start with young Bilbo being surprised by the dwarves. Keep going until the dwarves sing their song. Turn off the movie. Cancel the sequels.
Honestly, the Smaug/Bilbo exchange wasn't even thaaaat great, dialogue wise. In terms of atmosphere it was cool, but what they actually said to eachother was kind of mediocre I thought. It's basically just the two of them calling eachother nicknames for 10 minutes.
And yeah, Bilbo's presence in the second movie was so faint. The first movie might as well have not happened in terms of character development. It's all over the place. The movies really give you very little reason to care about any of the characters at all.
They don't really give you many reasons to like Thorin. I haven't read the book, but I agree that he's pretty miserable, especially when he treats Bilbo like shit even after Bilbo saved his ass in the first film. I guess they're trying to show his greed for the arkenstone or whatever but I don't buy it.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
The effects were also pretty crappy many times, specially towards the end.
I thought they were okay for the most part, but all of the gold effects were shockingly bad at the end for sure. Looked very unfinished and really should have been avoided. Pretty much all the scenes involving gold were pointless anyway.
peanutbutterlatte
Member
Fellowship of the Ring was like cocaine on a cracker compared to An Unexpected 3 Hour Borefest. And it isn't. It isn't good. Scooby Doo Smaug chases and Elf/Dwarf/Elf love triangles are just insulting. Jackson went full Lucas in every worst way.
*Legolas captures Dwarves and takes Gloin's locket.*
"WHO IS THIS FOUL BEAST?"
"That's me wee boy Gimli!"
*Legolas looks up in confusion... or is it confusion... maybe it's something more*
He's proud Peter.
I don't mean to force your opinion on you, but Peter Jackson and co. have made these movies more of a joke with each succeeding film. It's not the source material's fault.
sure, im just talking about the kind of exposure it gets thanks to the movies and the fact that we've seen a shit ton of hours combined of the same world. It's tiresome
True, but it was one of the few scenes that wasn't cringe worthy (aka every action scene with over the top orc kills and CGI legolas action)
I think major problem with this whole hobbit to movie thing is that the hobbit book is a children's book and that Peter Jackson is confused throughout the movie in terms of what kind of vibe to give it:
- Serious like Lotr's story/vibe
- Cheery and playfull as in the book's overall vibe
Mixing these vibes/themes just makes these movies such a mess in terms of characters, feel and coherency... Not to mention that it consists of so much filler material.....
I've read the book multiple times (growing up) but haven't read it in a while so don't hold me to this:
I just thought that book Thorin is depicted as an important/honorable dwarf that wants to reclaim his homeland/kingdom/title and doesn't believe in Bilbo's supposedly "burglar" abbilities.
In the movies he just acts like an asshole because he's greedy, doesn't care about his fellow dwarfs and/or Bilbo and is obsessed with that Arkenstone to a point where he actually goes into the mountain which results in that stupid chase/golden dwarf statue scene (which doesn't even exists in the book; If I remember correctly; Only bilbo goes in, has an exchange with Smaug and Smaug decides to leave the mountain to destroy laketown...)
Discotheque
Banned
not nearly as good as lotr trilogy, but also not as awful as star wars prequels (or indy 4).
the barrel scene was best action scene of 2013. look forward to the giant battle in the final film. i hope it's not all cg enemies.
the barrel scene was best action scene of 2013. look forward to the giant battle in the final film. i hope it's not all cg enemies.
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