The Hobbit is the worst movie I've seen in ages

Went to a screening last night. It is self-indulgent to say the least (2:45 running time). Boring boring boring. The entire movie is a setup for the sequel. All exposition, no plot. Cheesy 3D and whatever the new filming process is gives the film the look of a poorly lit, video taped 80's TV show. I will not be seeing the sequel.

I can't believe they are dragging an entire trilogy out of that one book. You could read it at the same pace as sitting through 3 movies.
It's still holding its own with critics. Rotten Tomato rating is 67%, with this precis: "Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth is visually resplendent and features strong performances from Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen, but the film's deliberate pace robs the material of some of its majesty." This is hard to square with OP's evaluation.
r2, 67% is horrible. It's in free fall. You obviously don't understand how Rotten Tomatoes works, nor the legacy of the Tolkien films.
In Peter Jackson's defense, I think he's single-handedly responsible for New Zealand's GDP.
r2, would you call a 67 on an algebra test holding one's own? It is crazy that Jackson would make a 2 3/4 hour movie of 1/2 of a relatively short, beloved, quick read of a book. Apart from sequel-readiness of course, which makes it not only dumb, but meretricious.
This isn't going to be the next Lord of the Rings. But by all means, Hobbit fans, please continue to be gleeful over Les Mis' paltry 76% at Rottentomatoes.
Uh, r2, the last Rings movie was a huge critical and box office success, broke awards records and won the Oscar for Best Picture. Explain again how "67%" is supposed to be good?
It seems like all of these holiday releases have these bloated run times. "Django Unchained" is supposed to have a running time of 2 hours and forty-five minutes as well. And "Les Miserables" looks like it has a run time of three days.
I have promised a friend that I will see it with them this Sunday.
Lesbian
Oh, fuck off. The film is just fine. It's not going to be as good as LOTR. But it'll do great business. The critics? Eh. While they might not be all wrong with some of their critiques, don't think a lot of the Hollywood folk don't hold a grudge against Jackson and co. for taking all the Oscars 10 years ago. The film could have been flawless and people would have still found ways to bash it. I also think their is a hater troll around here that has serious emotional issues with these films. "The HOBBIT SUCKS! EVEN THE PUBLIC IS PANNING IT." Uh...not so much. A lot of people like it. Again, they don't compare to LOTR, but I'm seeing a lot of positive reviews from the public. It's not getting "Panned". But keep up with your emotional issues. Are you that afraid the Prancing ponies will turn up again or something? Or are you someone who is still bitter that Elijah and Dom haven't come out with their "great and awesome" love? The Dom and Billy pics from the London premiere must have stung...
[quote]I can't believe they are dragging an entire trilogy out of that one book.[/quote] They aren't. He's using the appendices and the Simillarion as well.
I told you even the previews looked boring.
clippity clop
Haven't seen it, but from the commercials, it looks like "Tim" as "Bilbo." Yes?
Well it's 66% from overall "critics" but 46% among Top Critics from top newspapers and other outlets. I suppose that doesn't matter, it's still expected to make a ton of $.
Really, OP? The worst? You're hysterical. Typical eldergay overly dramatic response. What the fuck is wrong with Peter Jackson? Nine hours to tell The Hobbit? Is his ego really that out of control? That's just painfully long, and if this were just one film I'd be excited but no way am I spending 3 hours to watch 1/3 of a movie based on a book that's 200 some odd pages.
The people claiming that 67% is awful do realize that it's not one critic giving that score, right? You need to drill down and look at specific reviews. There are reviewers that I go to and trust that give this film an absolute rave.
r17 = LMFAO!!!!
The Hobbit is a short story compared to the mammoth Lord of the Rings, which took me months to read. To make 3 movies out of it smacks of desperation to recreate another LOTR franchise which the likes of McKellen have gleefully jumped upon, so they can make shedloads of money all over again. Nobody much wanted to see Jackson's Lovely Bones, ergo he is back in business with another fantasy trilogy with a pre-sold fanbase ... actors would kill to get into franchises like this (as I saw from watching James Nesbitt being interviewed).
I know it is a short story. I'm not a geek, so I really don't care what he has to do to make it interesting--add, make shit up--just make it interesting. So far, it just doesn't look interesting.
R10 knows plenty about having issues.
I'm one of the very few that won't see it.
Uh...good comback [R-21]
I don't expect anything else from Hollywood than milking that cash cow dry. After that they probably will do a Tolkien bio movie with Tolkien interacting with his fictional characters played by the same actors as in the LOTR movies.
My teenage girls will drag me to it, and then they'll complain the whole way home. Yay!
r25 sounds old. Ewww.
R26 sounds stupid. Ewww.
R5 is right, it's getting a D+, the Rotten Tomatoes ratings system is exactly translatable to A,B,C,D grades. Below 60% is rotten, F.
[quote]The entire movie is a setup for the sequel. All exposition, no plot. You were expecting the story to be wrapped up and concluded in the first movie? Did you not see The Fellowship of the Ring which ended right in the middle of Frodo's and Sam's walk to Mordor?
wood%20worshipping%20elf
One consistent opinion I keep seeing is that the new high speed filming process was a disaster. Says it looks like a brightly lit video game.
R10/R23, you sound crazy.
What I hear is along those lines as well. My niece saw it and said the enhanced visuals revaled all the flaws in the props.
I found the first hour to be unwatchable. After that I did start to get into the film enough to start enjoying it. The high speed filming made it look realistic in a bad way. I felt like I was transported to the studio instead of MidEarth. It felt like the making of The Hobbit and not the actual film. The detail was so good I felt like sometimes I could see the actors makeup. The light was harsh and artificial looking. No golden sunlight or warm firelight. Just harsh reality.
These are the early versions. Wait until they release the enhanced version in Glorious Smell-o-vision!
[quote] And "Les Miserables" looks like it has a run time of three days. Unlike the Hobbit, Les Mis is based on a 1,000+ page novel. Also, 60 million people have already sat through the 3 hour stage show. It's no surprise that Les Mis is a long movie. The Hobbit is NOT based on a 1,000+ page novel. And why Django Unchained is so long is anyone's guess. Peter Jackson, you got greedy.
Guns belong in museums.
anthropologist
[quote] The high speed filming made it look realistic in a bad way. I felt like I was transported to the studio instead of MidEarth. It felt like the making of The Hobbit and not the actual film. I have to admit that sounds interesting though, something I'd like to see for myself. And as far as I know, it can only be experienced in the theater. I wouldn't necessarily stay for the whole movie though.
The ratings are being pushed up by the British press who are cumming all over it due to the large amount of British cast members. Personally it looks so boring, like it's a chore to sit through the entire thing.
[quote] Wait until they release the enhanced version in Glorious Smell-o-vision! Why bother. Apparently it stinks enough without it. [quote] I have to admit that sounds interesting though, something I'd like to see for myself. And as far as I know, it can only be experienced in the theater. I wouldn't necessarily stay for the whole movie though. Me too. I'll see it out of curiosity
Total idiot when it comes to HD technology. Will the DVD / Blu Ray release have the same frame resolution (speed?) or is that one just for movie theatres?
[quote]He's using the appendices and the Simillarion as well. Actually, Jackson doesn't have rights to the Silmarillion, so was not permitted to use any of that material.
I thought the Lovely Bones was really good.
Anonymous
Just theaters, and only select theaters at that.
People will react negatively to 48fps because it is so clear. The detail is startling. It is the soap opera effect. I noticed it on my HD TV. For a while I noticed the soap opera effect. Now I don't see it at all. Give me clarity and detail. Time to move on. Remember, talkies were hated by throngs of people.
What did people dislike The Lovely Bones? I mean it was an OK movie, but Jackson got trashed for it. Did he ignore the book?
OP clearly doesn't see many movies. The movie is fine. It's not LOTR, but then what is. It was fun and exciting and moving. Yes, it's indulgent and many scenes were definitely over-the-top. But it also showed some master craftsmanship, and had some very good moments to counteract some of the cheese. I didn't see it in the 3D HFR projection though. I purposely chose the 2D version. I'll probably see it again just to see the 3D HFR technology and see what it's like. If the movie sucked, I wouldn't bother.
The Hobbit is just porn for asexuals.
I'm seeing it tonight with a very cute geeky lady friend. Will report back.
On the movie or how far you get with the geek, R48?
[quote] The Hobbit is the worst movie I've seen in ages Then, go see your Transformers movie!
I didn't think much of the 48 FPS thing. Not great, not awful, easily ignored except for some moments that seemed sped up. But not distracting. I genuinely thought there'd be no getting into see it today (in 48 FPS, anyway). I saw a three o'clock matinee in Times Square and there were maybe fifty people in the theatre, tops. Not sure it's going to be as popular as some people think.
Average film. It's just Warner Bros milking the cash cow dry. Instead go and see : "Any day now" with Alan Cumming, in theaters this weekend.
It's a total bore. Peter Jackson masturbating. He should have pout the whole thing in a 1 hour, 45 minute movie. His rep takes a hit with this piece of garbage.
They're just squeezing every possible drop out of that cash cow.
Just pop in your VHS copy of The Harvey Girls, OP.
It was SUPER boring...
One of the criticisms with The Lovely Bones was that the afterlife looked like a cross between an Enya video and a screensaver. I thought it was ok for what it was. Sebold's book is equally as overwrought. It starts welll but once she jumps into someone's body to have her first kiss it gets a bit too sci fi. Jackson should have at least entertained the idea that it was a dream or a projection.
I haven't felt this awful since we saw that Ronald Reagan film.
The Lovely Bones the novel was creepy horseshit.
Why is the resolution being described as the soap opera effect?
Saw it last night - I so wanted to like it, but no...just no.
People keep blaming PJ for the three part cash grab but it's more likely that studio executives pushed him to do this. More $ for them.
R60 Soap operas are shot on tape of very brightly lit soundstages so the look of them is very sharp and clear.
R62 I agree with you.
i wouldent go so far as to say this is the worst movie ive seen in ages...but there is no doubt that this is another of Peter Jackson's ham fisted, self indulged butchering of great source material..one more great book turned into some twisted form of its former great self.
[quote]One of the criticisms with The Lovely Bones was that the afterlife looked like a cross between an Enya video and a screensaver. LOL. Too bad Lynne Ramsay never got to do it, because the bastards in Hollywood wanted a proven hack for it. Well, they got their mediocre film, didn't they?
Worst movie you've ever seen? Too long? Bloated? Ham fisted? Butchering of source material? Sorry. Can't hear you over the sound of all the money I'm making.
P. Jackson. Oscar winning Director.
Just saw this and I thought it was great! Maybe a little long, but still--great plot, beautiful scenery and settings. And I am critical of movies--(I walked out of The Raven). Anyway, go see it!
anonymous
OP clearly never saw Prometheus.
Absolute crap from start to finish. Appalling acting and the scipt dire . Quotes " He over indulges in mushrooms " makes me say i will never go to the sequals Anyone could have been a big star from this and picked from the street. Absolute garbish
harry brown
I'm a big LOTR fan. I saw The Hobbit last week and I was underwhelmed. Incredibly not excited for the remaining parts of the movie. HATED the 48 frame look.
R70 I totally agree with you.
Offers R-70 an ice pack for the impending nose bleed.
Boring as hell. I want my money back.
I trust your review of this movie, OP. Saved me time and money.
R70 is an idiot. So is the OP. Neither obviously get out much.
R70 is right. Worst film of the year.I'm so disappointed with Peter Jackson, what a sold out.
R77 didn't see Prometheus. The Hobbit is no where near the worst film of the year.
IMHO, yes. the worst and the most expensive. Cash grab definetely.
I saw it and liked it.
Forgot to say that the worst thing, IMO, was the recycled soundtrack. WTF?
It was ok. I caught up on a little sleep in the theatre. Bad: too many dwarves who were mostly indistinguishable from one another and boring; Gandalph boring too. Good: Gollem (as usual) and final scenes. The Legolas dwarf is pretty cute but doesn't do much apart from shoot bad guys. Ok: Bilbo
I was surprised how much I hated this movie. It seemed endless, and nothing more than another heavily CGed comic book movie. I can't imagine what hell the other two installments will be. And I like the original Lord of the Rings movies--I think Jackson very successfully made a great piece of serious entertainment with those, some quibbles aside. But The Hobbit was just dismal. He can't pay Andy Serkis enough, given the fact that he almost single-handedly kept the entire thing from being a total loss.
I think you're grossly overstating things, R83. Seriously.
Loved this movie. You are all fakes. Legolas was not in this movie.
[quote]I think you're grossly overstating things, [R83]. Seriously. You're entitled to think so, r84. I'd counter by saying you're cutting Jackson entirely too much slack for a film that is, scene by scene, even worse than King Kong.
r83
But King Kong was fun too. The only crimes here are a little over-indulgence, and a few ridiculously over-the-top scenes that could/should have been edited down a bit. It was a fun movie. I'm not sure what you were expecting, really.
Peter Jackson to Direct Epic 10-Part Film Series Based on Children’s Classic “Goodnight Moon”
http://www.citizenschwartz.com/goodnight-moon/
I was expecting a modicum of filmmaking acumen. Instead I got terrible pacing, endless repetitive chase scenes, bloated special effects, indifferent acting, and quite awful dialogue. The LOTR films were remarkably free of this sort of nonsense (again, some quibbles aside), and I was expecting the same filmmaker to work to his own level in material he routinely professes a great affinity for. From the look of the theme park ride I attended yesterday, he either disdains the material or simply hasn't read it. (Admittedly, The Hobbit isn't much in the way of literature.) I have to say I'm always mystified by the "I don't know what you were expecting" argument. Is it routine to go into any movie with a bar lowered to a point where it admits of no criticism, and simply passes as "fun"? I'm serious. It seems like three wasted hours if all I can do is say it threw pretty colors in front of my face.
R89 I agree with you. Total dismal. I think people were "hypnotized" by the huge, intensive, worldwide publicity.
R89, I agree with most of what you said, but as a huge fan of Tolkien's work I feel I should point out that "The Hobbit" isn't meant to be "literature"--it's a children's book, through and through. The tone in "The Hobbit" is unlike that of any of Tolkien's other Middle Earth writings (the rest of which ARE "literature"); he even has the book directly address the young reader. As example: "This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost his neighbor's respect, but he gained--well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end." Jackson and Co. more or less got it right in their "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. They didn't in "The Hobbit."
R10 is posting from the "cafe" in WalMart.
R85 also loves the Honey Boo Boo show.
Bitch bitch bitch..... Meanwhile the film rakes in the cash, and most moviegoers love it. Same with Les Mis. What a bad time for haters.
I enjoyed the movie. Maybe because I wasn't expecting much.
It is enjoyable. It never wanders so far from the original book that you notice. The added stuff is all Tolkien cannon except for the bunny sled, which I sort of think he'd have liked (The Hobbit was intended for children). Still, I don't see how the rest of the book gets tortured into two more movies. What's left? The Beornings, the Elves and the Battle of Five Armies. I assume they'll add the Razing of Dol Guldur and more Sauron connection. I just now remembered that Thorin got his map from Gandalf after GANDALF was thrown into the dungeon at Dol Guldur and met Thrain. Hmmmm.
yes, r91, I realize The Hobbit was intended for children; I didn't mean to imply that I have expectations of it as adult literature. We'll see how much Bilbo gains by the end of the movies--so far it's looking like the most he's getting out of it is a lot of cardio. (What's with Jackson's habit of bumping up suspense by having someone dangling from something by one hand? He does it numerous times in LOTR, and in The Hobbit again. It's like a narrative tic, particularly since Tolkein didn't go in for that sort of thing himself that I recall.)