Since I have been on so many planes this summer, I have managed to finish the book! This will prove to be a thoroughly nerdy post. Please prepare accordingly.
As a huge fan of the movie trilogy directed by Mr. Peter Jackson, I was psyched to here he was creating a film out of The Hobbit. Now many people believe that you should try and read books previous to seeing the movies, yet mi amigo pointed out something that made much more sense. People who read books before watching the movies tend to be disappointed at the short-comings of detail (which occurs naturally due to the difference in possible lengths for each) BUT if you see the movie first you will be impressed with the movie, THEN you read the book and you are even more impressed with the new knowledge of all the extra details (given that both are well made in the case of The Hobbit, yes, opinion, I know).
I thought the movie was incredible. I heard complaints about the frames/second (I have little to no knowledge of what that entails) but I thought the picture looked solid. Also I heard complaints about the amount of singing in the movie. At first I enjoyed the singing a lot, then I read the book and saw that they are singing constantly in it and people were being ridiculous and just need to enjoy it (music will be posted below).
This post is mainly to discuss the book though. I thought they did a wonderful job creating a film corresponding to the first third of the book. They did change quite a bit regarding major plot points. (This next section constitutes as spoilers, be warned). First of all, there is no such thing as the white orc in the book. Thorin's father and grandfather were not killed by this white orc, his father is actually imprisoned by the Necromancer. But I assume that this plot point in the movie will be used to create an epic and dramatic scene during the battle (which will probably be the entire last movie) between Thorin son of Thrain and Azog the white orc. Also Thorin is not nearly as broody in the books, he is much more light hearted and dwarvish than portrayed in the movies. I think this was smart direction to go in for the film because of the added plot points that give reason for Thorin to be so angsty. A second one being the rift between the wood elves and the dwarves of The Lonely Mountain. Apparently they created this idea from vague notes made in the encyclopedias. But there is no mention of any bad feels between Thorin and the wood elves (until mid book when they hold them prisoners for hanging out in Mirkwood). One more difference that I want to point out is the minutivity (made that one up..) of the Necromancer story line. As the beginnings of it appear in the first movie, it seems to hold a lot of weight in the plot. In the book, Gandalf merely mentions that he had a counsel with the White Wizards in the south and drove him more east so evils in the forest should subside. In the film, it is obvious that it will take up quite a few scenes and I predict that there will be quite the battle between Radagast and the Necromancer but we shall see.
The book was one of my favorite reads in a long time and my embarrassing emotional attachment to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy just made it all the more beautiful. I could go on and on but instead I will post a few videos that portray what I believe to be, the heart of the movie.
"The Pity of Bilbo"
dar8tb comments, "same music plays in LOTR when Frodo voices his regrets and gandalf says "so do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." Its a quote about conquering evil with one simple act of courage. Here, it not only carries on that idea to the movie, but also that by sparing gollum, one act of courage, Bilbo saves Middle Earth by letting Gollum live, who stops Frodo from screwing up the mission on Mount Doom."
I am definitely going to be checking that out the next time I revisit the series. I also love the music that plays over because it reminds me of who Bilbo used to be, a comfortable hobbit that lives quietly in his hole. And it also reminds the audience that he isn't a cold killer, he is just a mere hobbit on a wild journey.
"Misty Mountains Orchestral Cover"
"Misty Mountains Cold" (original)
Just a brief note, the way they sang with the hint of the dwarvish accents was perfect. And I am pretty sure I teared up a little bit too much during this part of the movie. *sigh*
I could go on, but I shall stop now, expect reviews of the next movies and expect them to be quite lengthy, for this journey has just begun my friends.
~~~
"There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after." -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
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