Thread: Are we over-estimating the Hobbit film?

I'm abit worried that when the hobbit is released, we are expecting too much of it. I don't think it's ever good to over-hype something because there may be disappointment and it may be a flop. People are expecting lord of the rings the second, when really the Hobbit has a different feel to the trilogy. I'm just hoping that it will turn out perfectly, but the hype surrounding it may ruin it alot. What do you think?

The tiny portion of the song the Dwarves sing in Bilbo's living room before they set out is enough to send shivers down my spine and it's only a fraction of the entire scene :P It's going to be well and truly epic

I read somewhere, can't remember where now, that they were going to make The Hobbit more in-line with the Lord of the Rings films, instead of making it more like a light-hearted adventure like the novel.

Originally Posted by KosMos18

I read somewhere, can't remember where now, that they were going to make The Hobbit more in-line with the Lord of the Rings films, instead of making it more like a light-hearted adventure like the novel.

Hopefully not, while the Hobbit novel was written at first glance as a "light hearted" adventure J.R.R tolkien life experience at the time WWII gave if a different view thus why the Hobbit shifts from light hearted to a more dark ending.

I think Gillermo del toro had it in vision, I really liked that "dark elf" he did in Hellboy II movie and he was planning to use same tactic for the Hobbit, I know he quit...but still Peter Jackson has all material to make it a thrilling experience, with different kind of CGI than original "LOTR trilogy", the Hobbit is also another time period and he can experiment I mean that is what directing is about no?

I personally think Jackson will blew it eventually with the Hobbit, I have that feeling many will like it though some people really lack taste for movies,novels, etc.

Originally Posted by KosMos18

I read somewhere, can't remember where now, that they were going to make The Hobbit more in-line with the Lord of the Rings films, instead of making it more like a light-hearted adventure like the novel.

As it should be. The novel was written as a childrens book, but the audience of the book has grown up (and passed it down to their kids, but... still.)

Originally Posted by DarkBeauty.

I'm abit worried that when the hobbit is released, we are expecting too much of it. I don't think it's ever good to over-hype something because there may be disappointment and it may be a flop. People are expecting lord of the rings the second, when really the Hobbit has a different feel to the trilogy. I'm just hoping that it will turn out perfectly, but the hype surrounding it may ruin it alot. What do you think?

I think Jackson is a fine film-maker, so I always expect to see a fine film from him regardless of the subject matter.

As to how closely his screenplay follows the book, I think it will be similar to what he did for the LOTR films: "Action" will be maximized and dialogue minimized. He will probably change the story significantly enough in a couple of places to cause Tolkien geeks to roll their eyes in dismay, but stay close enough to the spirit of the original story to keep most folks who have read the book happy. And visually, I expect the film to be stunning.

I have high hopes for the Hobbit movie, but I haven't set the bar so high as to not allow for some disappointment.

Well yes and no.

Yes in that we are. No in that we are not.

I think that the choice to go on with the style and mood of the lord of the rings movies is the right one.
If they would make a pure children's movie out of it, I think 99% of the audiencens wouldn't be satisfied with it, most people just want more of the stuff the triology has given us, and so the two movies will deliver, I assume.

And, I think the casting choices were very well made, and Martin Freeman as Bilbo is such a perfect match. Bilbo is the one we care for, he is the hobbit, and he will deliver enough moments of comedic relief, that the movies won't get too grim and dark. I think Martin Freeman can pull this off, and he will give the movies this lightheared touch, that they need, to get very close to the feeling the novel gave us. While the world and the places they travel to will look dark and grim (similar to the style of the lords of the rings movies) - I think the characters will do there best to give us some funny lines here and there.

Only thing I am always have to think about, will the spiders in mirkwood actually speak in the movies as well? Or will the spiders shut their mouths and just be some neasty creatures to fight against. Still thinking about that ... :-)

I'm not too concerned with how it turns out. The book will always be #1 for me. All I'm really interested in seeing is the book come to life.

Originally Posted by KosMos18

I read somewhere, can't remember where now, that they were going to make The Hobbit more in-line with the Lord of the Rings films, instead of making it more like a light-hearted adventure like the novel.

And I am 100% okay with this.

Sure, the creative impetus for The Hobbit was a light hearted tale for his children, but there were clearly darker and more dramatic elements, particularly as the story progressed - probably as it took shape as a written work, but that is besides the point.

However, from Bilbo's perspective the story is filled with more action, apprehension, and outright terror than any poor hobbit from the Shire should ever have had to endure: Goblins, trolls, fire, spiders, alone with Gollum,... From Bilbo's point of view it is no way a light hearted tale, and I expect the film to come at it from that direction.

I think del Torro would have been brilliant at balancing the fun with the dark and I am sad he pulled out of the project.
I also have little doubt that Peter's will be a fine work, based on his past efforts.

Originally Posted by Al.

Hopefully not, while the Hobbit novel was written at first glance as a "light hearted" adventure J.R.R tolkien life experience at the time WWII gave if a different view thus why the Hobbit shifts from light hearted to a more dark ending.

The Hobbit was published in 1937, before WWII began. It is WWI that is generally considered to have had some influence on Tolkien's writing overall.

And yes, I think people probably are over-estimating and building unrealistic expectations, but they do that for anything that they wait a long time for, such as (of course) MMOs. Then they get angry because something isn't what they expected it to be in their own minds. That's just what humans do. Don't expect this to change.


Rip

Surely there's a chance it might not live up to what we expect, but heck, the thrill of waiting is half the excitement!

Originally Posted by DigitalYou

Surely there's a chance it might not live up to what we expect, but heck, the thrill of waiting is half the excitement!

VERY true. I've hit a good run lately of movies I've waited for that did NOT disappoint.

The latest one being Avengers.

I hope The Hobbit is what it apears to be: a rich and engaging retelling of the original story. They can't do everything right, or please everyone. But I just hope it's enjoyable to the point where I can overlook GALADRIEL AND FRODO being in the movie. And if Arwen shows up at all, I'm OUT. Literally out the theatre, grabbing people and dragging them with me for their own safety.

You liked LOTR? This movie was made by the exact same guys, just different books, if you didnt like the Hobbit you wont like the movie

If The Hobbit is anything more than "**** explodes and dragons and stuff! Awesome!", I'll be very surprised. I'm not super-keen on the LotR trilogy and felt the movies shat all over the books. The Hobbit is one of my favorite books, so giving it the (inevitable) action-adventure-comedy treatment will piss me off that much worse.

Only way I could expect less from it is if Lucas and/or Joss Wheden directed it, and even then I'm not so sure...

I am not too concerned with how The Hobbit movie will turn out, when it hits theaters. I am actually pretty excited for it, and have good faith in Peter Jackson. I was satisfied with what he did with The Lord of the Rings. I am sure he will do a good job with The Hobbit. The trailer for the movie has gotten be quite excited. When the dwarves started to sing, it sent goosebumps all over me!

Hearing about all the added elements, especially Evangeline Lilly, makes me hope it bombs. I'd love Hollywood to see that their can be consequences to unfaithfully adapting something. Added characters just to add diversity and broaden the appeal cheapens things, it's a marketing gimmick and the opposite of art. If there are now female warrior elves, why not go the Star Trek route,make elves multi ethnic and cast Ving Rhames as Thranduil? How can a movie expect to make money without appealing to absolutely every demographic, we need some red necks jumping orcs in monster trucks!
If Peter Jackson can't leave his ego out of it and tell the story Tolkien wrote, why not just write an entirely new story of his own?