The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

[Tahyun]

There were a lot of shenanigans, but I liked it for what it was. I probably wont see it again until the hubby buys the extended version on blu-ray and I need something to have on while making dumplings. I think I liked it better than the last one though, maybe?

I also thought the love story was just out of no where, but then again, I couldn't help but be touched by the last scene with Tauriel. I had some feels, so I have to at least give them credit for that.

[Jamie]

The majority of the diversions from the text were either:

- adding the material setting up Lord of the Rings
- giving the orcs specific leaders and faces
- giving women speaking parts, of which there are zero in the original text, and none even described except in speech by characters mentioning their moms.

I thought Tauriel was great in both movies, was fine with the love story, like Galadriel being around and powerful, and Bard's daughters and the female villager rounding out the gender balance among the humans.

Saw the third movie with my 5 yr old son, who I've read the graphic novelization to before, and we both loved it.

The initial Laketown scene was absolutely spectacular, I thought Thorin's treatment was done well, and the action and battles were fun, but Bilbo still got to shine. What struck me is how sad this portion of the book really was... when a lot of it is glossed over in the text.

[Charles]

Jamie, as a life-long Tolkien nut (I am 66), I must totally agree with you. To me the changes and additions are all very good, and I am close to saying that they actually made the story better. I especailly loved the treatment of Galadriel in Film 4 as being every bit a match for Sauron, she being perhaps the oldest and most powerful being in Middle Earth. Also, yes, Tauriel is well written and well acted.

To Peter Jackson, I say, "Bring Forth The Silmarillion!!!"

[Lára]

Charles wrote: "To Peter Jackson, I say, "Bring Forth The Silmarillion!!!"

I agree to that.

[Stephen]

Leady wrote: "The third film in the Hobbit trilogy is ridicolous! It seems an action film, with an useless and absurd love story"

Sadly, as a life long Tolkien fan, I see where you're coming from. By and large, Peter Jackson did a wonderful job with his Lord of the Rings films. However, when you compare the films with the book, he's made a mess of The Hobbit! I can still enjoy the films for the action-packed fantasy hokum they are... And I can always go back to the book when I want the real thing.