I never read The Hobbit as a child … it was so far off my radar I wasn’t even aware it existed. I was raised on a diet of Arthur Ransome‘s Swallows and Amazons and a book called The Chipmunks of Willow Wood by Elleston Trevor. I don’t think I read any fantasy fiction until I discovered Terry Pratchett when I was at university. Aged 40, I still haven’t read any Tolkien but that may change before too long.
In a failed attempt to curb my impatience for The Hobbit, I recently re-watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I saw the films when they were first released and loved the first one before getting somewhat bogged down in the other two. Second-time round, and most probably as a result of a growing interest in Middle-earth nurtured by Peter Jackson’s video logs and the impending Hobbit-fest, I was completely enthralled by them.
And so to The Hobbit … never before have I spent so long anticipating the release of a film, or, for that matter, taken such an interest in the making of it. I admit, my initial fascination was with Richard Armitage but as time went on I genuinely became eager to see it for everything else it promised. Yesterday I was anxious, excited too, but worried that it wouldn’t live up to my impossibly high expectations, that I would struggle with the 3D, or that I would find myself looking at my watch.
So, I settled down with a big bag of pic’n’mix and a coke, waited for the lights to dim and for an instruction to don the 3D glasses.
3D glasses finally balancing precariously on my nose (always awkward when there’s already a pair of normal glasses there), two trailers were shown in normal 3D. The first, I couldn’t watch. I don’t know what it was for but I couldn’t focus on the screen and could feel it messing with my head. I looked away and waited for it to finish. This was reminiscent of my only other experience of 3D which caused a massive migraine. The second trailer, for Man of Steel, was fine, but I assume that was something to do with the speed of the action, as in it was slow. I remained confident in the assurances I’d heard that 48 fps would reduce the risk of migraine.
Then, The Hobbit started and right from the moment the Warner Brothers logo appeared on the screen it felt different. Yes, the first few minutes seemed a bit strange, but my eyes just seemed to relax into it and it became normal. Normal, but different! My eyes felt relaxed the entire time, I didn’t want to take the glasses off, I didn’t want to look away, and, most importantly, I didn’t have a headache!
I’ve seen reports saying the 48 fps makes the actors’ makeup obvious and the sets look like sets but I have to disagree. I’m no expert, but I was so immersed in Middle-earth it just seemed real to me. The 3D wasn’t about things jumping out at you, it was about giving the film depth and that, for me, is what worked so well. I began to wonder what would happen if I got out of my seat and stepped forward. I felt certain that if I did, I would walk into the true reality of this fantasy world and experience it for myself. It looked beautiful, familiar because of Lord of the Rings, but jaw-droppingly and breathtakingly stunning.
As for the actors … what actors? You mean, they’re not really dwarves, wizards, hobbits and such-like? Seriously though, I wouldn’t want to single out any one performance for being outstanding because I think they all were. I was struck by the individuality of the dwarves, each with their little foibles and nuances. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t especially struck with Thorin who was regal, princely, fierce and inspiring. I’d happily follow him on any quest! But, despite my obvious bias I loved each and every character. The advantage of not having read the book is that I had no preconceived idea about what they should look like or how they should behave, so I could accept Peter Jackson’s vision without any complaints.
There were a couple of scenes that I’d heard Richard Armitage mention as being ones that had particularly moved him and watching them, I could understand why. I, like him, was moved to tears. In fact, when I left the cinema, I was sorely tempted to run back to my car and sob I felt so emotional, but alas, Christmas shopping beckoned.
The end of the film arrived all too quickly. I hadn’t once wondered about the time or yawned or wished it would hurry up and finish. I didn’t want it to end. Walking out, I could quite happily have walked straight back in and watched more, or simply watched it again. How I’m supposed to wait a whole year for the next one is beyond me!
I will go back to see it again. The 3D is something I won’t experience at home for a very long time so I want the opportunity to re-immerse myself in that world before I’m left with a 2D DVD as my only memento of what is honestly the best film I have ever seen.
At some point in the 2 hours and 46 minutes I was watching the film, I lost my heart. Not to a princely dwarf as you might expect (although he can have it any time he wishes), but to a whole world … Middle-earth.
I had the normal glasses plus 3D glasses thing, too, but it went away very quickly. Sounds like we had many similar reactions. It will be interesting to see how it holds up when I see it again. I’d like to go straight back to the theater but alas I have to go home.
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I remember putting the glasses on and being bothered that I could see the light of an emergency exit sign out of the corner of my eye but by the time the film was a few minutes in, I’d completely forgotten. Once I was used to the 48fps I had this feeling akin to the way I feel when finally seeing into a magic eye picture and can look around without losing focus. I know it’s not the same…but finally being able to comfortably see 3D and love it…I felt the same sense of achievement. I was so disappointed when I tried it before and couldn’t comfortably focus.
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I feel the same way, the Hobbit has stolen my heart and I’m completely ok with it. The dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have struck me in the core of my being. Peter and his team show us that in this day and age beauty still exist.
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You are so right! Thanks for commenting 🙂
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Kathryn, beautifully enunciated experience and thank you so much for not ‘spoiling’ in any way, even though I have known the story backward for 40 years.
I have been nervous of the 3-D, 48fps process because of dizziness/migraine issues…but you have settled my fears and thank you for that as well. My worst worry is having to leave because my eyes and perception can’t cope with the visual disturbance.
I appreciate too the fact that you saw the film as a total experience and not just a Richard Armitage experience because I think it is so much more than that, as is anything on which Peter Jackson puts his creative imprint. Tolkein is so important to fantasy writers and fantasy lovers and PJ has educated a whole new audience and readership.
Cheers and very best wishes for Christmas and 2013…
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Thank you so much! It was a real pleasure to watch. I had reassured myself that I could always go and see it in 2D if I couldn’t cope with the 3D but I was determined to put my trust in Peter Jackson. I hope it works for you too.
I saw a trailer at the Showcase for “event cinema”…concerts, ballet, opera etc. It occurred to me that this film is what I think of as event cinema! And I should thank Richard Armitage for opening up a whole new world to me.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you
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A great review. I have shared it on my http://www.facebook.com/quirkybooksnet page. I have to say that I love 3D, if there is a 2D or a 3D version to watch, I will always go for the 3D every time. My eyes have got so used to it, that I don’t notice that it’s 3D much anymore but I can still see the depth and that is wonderful, as it makes me feel I am really there in the film with the characters.
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Thanks! I will have to hope that plenty of future films are filmed at 48fps so I can enjoy the 3D.
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What a beautiful post, you definitely have a way with words!! I enjoyed it so much, wish I could write like you.
I’ve been waiting for this film since The Lord of The Rings wrapped up almost 10 years ago. As it happens, just like Richard Armitage, I read the book when I was 11, and fell in love with Middle Earth. I became a fan of Tolkien’s books and proudly can say that I have read them all. Fantasy became my favourite genre.
I’m so looking forward to finally enjoy this film next week. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
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Oh wow! Thank you…what lovely compliments. I just write what’s in my head. I heard RA say recently he didn’t believe anyone who said they hadn’t read The Hobbit…would love the chance to convince him he’s wrong 😉 I will definitely read it…but not until I’ve seen all 3 films. Hope you love it as much as I did!
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[…] [No spoilers] KathrynD — in love with Middle Earth and 48 fps. […]
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Short, shameful confession: I did not see it in 3D or 48fps.
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That’s not shameful … each to their own and all that 🙂
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