For diehard Tolkien fans (such as myself), today was a good day. Peter Jackson released the first movie trailer for his second film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Check it out:
As a long time fan of Tolkien and of The Hobbit, my initial reactions to the first movie were mixed between love of returning to Middle Earth through Jackson’s lenses and a dislike for how the plot was being reimagined and lengthened in places in order to get three movies rather than two out of the single book. As much as I loved the Lord of the Rings films, I couldn’t say that I had the same amount of love for the first Hobbit film, although it had moments that captured some of the LOTR movie magic.
So now the trailer for movie #2 is out, and it promises lots of action from the book. It also has the return of Orlando Bloom as Legolas, son of woodland elf King Thranduil played by Lee Pace who has more of a part to play in this movie. Legolas doesn’t make an appearance in the book, but it makes sense that he would be there as the king’s son. It’s not a large leap to bring him into the movie.
Then there’s the appearance of Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel, who is not in the books. Tolkien’s Middle Earth books don’t do much with female characters, and Jackson had to do some adjusting in the LOTR movies to make Arwen a more rounded and complete character. But Tauriel is not only a beautiful elf, she is a warrior in charge of the elven guard. This is an example of Jackson and his writing partners taking a huge risk.
Their risks with storytelling paid off with the LOTR movies, especially with the extended editions for the fans. But with the Hobbit movies, it feels like they’re trying to make that extended edition the original edition. Jackson is using the appendices at the end of The Return of the King and The Hobbit to expand characters and stories and also to create new story lines and characters. And in the end, the question I have is if they’re created to serve the story or to serve the movie studio and Jackson to create another movie and therefore more money?
I’m not giving up faith in Jackson and The Hobbit movies yet. There are things that were done well in movie #1. The casting of Martin Freeman was brilliant. While Richard Armitage is a bit too dashing for the part of Thorin, he broods well. And the trailer shows a lot of faithfulness to the original story despite the additional characters. Knowing the plot and the title of the second movie, it looks like it will be full of action and worth seeing in the movie theaters.
I posted This, this Morning, But you beat me with the trailer by 4 minutes..(cause I could stop watching it long enough to post it)
http://havingbeensaid.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/a-long-expected-party-2/
haha! When we were discussing the experiences of reading, Tolkien is a major part of my reading life. He helped form my idea of magic in the world. So I’m all for the movies, but I just wish he had stuck with two movies. But the trailer does look exciting and more than just a 2nd movie in a trilogy.
As He Was For Me(As Evidenced in my Post, thanks for liking by the way!) HIs ability to craft a depth to the world of the characters, and then the characters themselves, is something I marvel at each and every time I read.(Which is embarrassingly often.)
Don’t be embarrassed. Proclaim that loudly! I read all four of his books regularly. I’ve got like 3 different books of The Hobbit. I’m on the lookout for the original printings of the LOTR collection in hardback.
Heck, I have two tattoos in Sindarin on the inside of my ankles. Now I have no way to deny my love for all things Tolkien!
I am watching The Hobbit.. Again.. and smoking my Long stem, Hobbitish Pipe(Actually called a church warden)As I Type this..Tomorrow, as fuel for creativity, I shall watch the trilogy (the extended editions of course)
My most awkward Geek Skill… I can do some of the voices..(surprisingly and bizarrely well) while the movies roles along, of the actors as they say their lines.. .. …. .. verbatim for great expanses of the movies..
My favorite part of the first Hobbit movie is the beginning from Gandalf meeting the younger Bilbo (expertly portrayed by Martin Freeman) through him officially joining the quest. I love the opening scenes. I’m not a fan of Azog as it’s not even following the text from Appendix A.
I watched my LOTR Extended DVD’s so much that I wore out their covers. I passed on the DVD’s to a friend and bought Blu-rays. I can’t do the voices, but I can pretty much recite the movies. But the 1977 Rankin & Bass Hobbit – now that one I can recite from beginning to end!
*could not Stop.. LOL
I am so happy to have been alerted to this trailer! Thank you! It was definitely a good day for all the Tolkien fans in my house.
Now I just have to find the brave person to go with me to opening night. I took two friends who swore they wouldn’t go this upcoming movie. I guess I was a little excited. I still have the posters that everyone got at the IMAX 3D movie!
I missed the posters, but maybe if this time we catch the first showing! I can’t decide whether I’ll enjoy the movie more if I do or don’t reread the book first this time…
I had mixed reactions to the first film too. I felt the same way about the Lord of the Rings trilogy too though, now I think they get better every time I see one! Eagerly looking forward to the next Hobbit.
Based on the trailer (and putting aside my trepidation with Legolas and Tauriel), it looks like the movie is going to be a fun ride! And I will always buy a ticket to go back to Middle Earth, especially when the ride is helmed by Peter Jackson. But I still think his masterpieces are the LOTR movies. Still can’t get enough of them!