Critical Reception of The Hobbit: AUJ [Non-Spoiler]

Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:10 pm

I think we should start creating separate threads for things like this, as information picks up.

I'm not sure if this means anything at this point. but apparently the film currently has a 90/100 and four star rating from the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

http://www.criticschoice.com/search?s=hobbit

Here's a comparison to the current box office top ten:

http://www.criticschoice.com/top-movies/

It seems like at least some critics have already written their reviews and registered them with the BFCA, but how many, or how representative they are, I don't know.

Post by **Holbytla** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:31 pm

Reviews and Tolkien-ites, imo, don't necessarily go hand in hand.
We are all going to see the films no matter what, and we all have our own opinion of good and bad.
This is an instance where I think reviews are are superfluous or maybe a novelty.

Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:36 pm

Holbytla wrote:Reviews and Tolkien-ites, imo, don't necessarily go hand in hand.

Absolutely, but some people (including me) are interested in what critics have to say. I think that it would be good to have a thread for critical response and a separate one for our reaction.

Post by **narya** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:47 pm

Are these reviews spoilerish?

Post by **Holbytla** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:51 pm

I agree and I think it is a curiosity to hear what "other people" think, especially after the fact, but we are judging from a different perspective that I don't often get with movies.
I pay attention to reviews when I am not familiar with the subject and when they are at one side of the spectrum or the other.

I think the reviews have their place and I welcome them, but they occupy a different place than other movie reviews do for me.

Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:00 pm

Absolutely. I couldn't agree more.

Post by **SirDennis** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:54 pm

Holby and VtF do make a good point that fan reaction should be considered a separate category from general reviews.

Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:55 pm

Why would you do anything other than that?

(But not in this thread

). [Edit: I see you are responding to a post of Sir Dennis' that I had not previously noticed. Sorry about that!]

Here is the first twitter reaction from the press showing today (quite positive):

https://twitter.com/JoeCorrell

@TheHobbitMovie the movie was fantastic! Congrats to all! Amazing!

Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:11 am

These were posted at TORN "from another forum". Can't vouch for their verisimilitude:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First reactions from the screening in LA today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joanclair Richter ‏@joanclairme

Hobbit screening - visually stunning. The beginning of it all. Peter Jackson Q & A - what a mind!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matthew P. Spill ‏@matthewspill

Hobbit was great! 48fps is weird. Neat but not necessary. Can't wait for next December!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jason T. Clark ‏@Jason_T_Clark

#Hobbit was fantastic!!! So happy to be back in Middle-Earth. This is a must see. 48Fps is interesting, but overall I didn't care for it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jason T. Clark ‏@Jason_T_Clark

Also, 3D was some of the best I've seen. Looking forward to seeing it again in IMAX 3D

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nicholas DeNitto ‏@NicksMovies

Just saw The Hobbit and was STUNNED. See this movie in 3D at 48 FPS! It looks incredible!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Post by **Stranger Wings** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:16 am

Holbytla wrote:Reviews and Tolkien-ites, imo, don't necessarily go hand in hand.
We are all going to see the films no matter what, and we all have our own opinion of good and bad.
This is an instance where I think reviews are are superfluous or maybe a novelty.

That depends. In addition to being a massive Tolkien devotee, I am also a lover of the cinematic arts. In other words, I want these films to both faithfully capture the spirit of Tolkien, and be cinematic masterpieces (a wholly unrealistic expectation, I know, but I do believe Tolkien deserves it).

In this context, there are a small pool of critics whose sensibilities I find to be very close to my own. I will be very keen to see their reactions.

Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:45 am

I split off the discussion about Fan Reaction to The Hobbitto a separate thread.

Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:57 am

@BrianDuffield

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I dug the hell out of The Hobbit. It's sillier but super fun.

EASILY best blockbuster of 2012.

Couple little set pieces could've totally gone. Especially the scene that's CLEARLY del Toros.

Wanted to get to know Bilbo more at the start.

Peter Jackson has a total b**** for Thorin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:08 am

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott Squires ‏@scott_squires

#hobbit 3D 48fps works. Won't be confused with cheap video. Less stereo artifacts. Only a few shots with odd motion. (speed changes?)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marques T. Owens ‏@mothemogul

@JonasRJakobsen It was good. Great beginning to a new trilogy. A bit goofy at times....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Antoi Antzoulides ‏@AntoiAntz

Wow. Just saw The Hobbit and I'm exhausted. They journey to middle earth has wiped me out!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:08 am

I'm pulling these off of posts at TORN. I have no idea whether people there are purposefully only posting positive comments.

Post by **SirDennis** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:21 am

Blaming del Toro for the set pieces one doesn't like hardly seems positive. I'm hoping that does't become de rigueur as a way of slamming elements of the film without insulting Jackson.

Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:39 am

Well, this one says just the opposite:

More non-spoilery thoughts: The best scene isn't in the books and hasn't been spoiled by the trailers yet. Feels like pure Guillermo.

Here are more of his comments:

Slater‏@Boner_Mountain

Thorin, Bombur, Fili and Kili all make strong impressions. The rest of the Dwarves are fairly interchangeable. Radagast is kind of awesome.
Expand Reply
Retweet

Favorite

21mSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

More non-spoilery thoughts: The best scene isn't in the books and hasn't been spoiled by the trailers yet. Feels like pure Guillermo.

Expand

34mSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

First half is kind of a disaster. Pleasant, but shaggy and meandering. Second half is action-packed and saves the movie.

Expand

36mSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

The Hobbit's biggest sin is being simply pretty good. Entertaining but rarely enthralling.

Expand

4hSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

HOBBIT time! (please don't suck please don't suck)

His most negative comment ("First half is kind of a disaster. Pleasant, but shaggy and meandering") is the one that I (and no doubt SA! will) find most encouraging.

Post by **Stranger Wings** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:30 am

Voronwë the Faithful wrote:Well, this one says just the opposite:

More non-spoilery thoughts: The best scene isn't in the books and hasn't been spoiled by the trailers yet. Feels like pure Guillermo.
Here are more of his comments:

Slater‏@Boner_Mountain

Thorin, Bombur, Fili and Kili all make strong impressions. The rest of the Dwarves are fairly interchangeable. Radagast is kind of awesome.
Expand Reply
Retweet

Favorite

21mSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

More non-spoilery thoughts: The best scene isn't in the books and hasn't been spoiled by the trailers yet. Feels like pure Guillermo.

Expand

34mSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

First half is kind of a disaster. Pleasant, but shaggy and meandering. Second half is action-packed and saves the movie.

Expand

36mSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

The Hobbit's biggest sin is being simply pretty good. Entertaining but rarely enthralling.

Expand

4hSlater‏@Boner_Mountain

HOBBIT time! (please don't suck please don't suck)
His most negative comment ("First half is kind of a disaster. Pleasant, but shaggy and meandering") is the one that I (and no doubt SA! will) find most encouraging.

All seems pretty positive thus far. And of course, you're right! The more meandering, the better, IMO!

Don't like the idea that Balin doesn't make much of an impression, though. My understanding was that Thorin and Balin would be the main dwarves.

I think people have no idea what they are talking about when they say a scene is "Del Toro-esque." I can see some of the designs hanging on to his influence, but the direction is pure Jackson - good or bad.

Post by **Stranger Wings** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:38 am

Lest we forget, however, his name is:

Slater‏@Boner_Mountain

Post by **Holbytla** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:40 am

Shelob'sAppetite wrote:
Holbytla wrote:Reviews and Tolkien-ites, imo, don't necessarily go hand in hand.
We are all going to see the films no matter what, and we all have our own opinion of good and bad.
This is an instance where I think reviews are are superfluous or maybe a novelty.
That depends. In addition to being a massive Tolkien devotee, I am also a lover of the cinematic arts. In other words, I want these films to both faithfully capture the spirit of Tolkien, and be cinematic masterpieces (a wholly unrealistic expectation, I know, but I do believe Tolkien deserves it).

In this context, there are a small pool of critics whose sensibilities I find to be very close to my own. I will be very keen to see their reactions.

Hah! You like the films, or you do not. Cinematic appreaciativeness (sic) is cock and bull, and you know it.
This is no Oscar wannabe. PJ's Hobbit works, or it does not. Those who have emerged themselves in Tolkien's world have no choices.

Yes or no.

Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:58 am

Since everything so far in this thread has been non-spoilerish, let's keep this thread as a non-spoiler thread. Please don't post any spoilers in here! I'll start a new one for spoilers, since I just saw the first one.