|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 6, 2013 20:46:29 GMT -5
Philippa Boyens comments on the decision of the writers to include a completely original character in The Hobbit films who was not in the book.(Note, she probably said this a while back)
"She's our redhead. We created her for that reason. To bring that energy into the film, that feminine energy. We believe it's completely within the spirit of Tolkien.""
Because everybody knows how much Tolkien focused on women in his books. Wait what was that? There was only a single female character that was named in the entire Hobbit book and there very incredibly few women in the Lord of the Rings? Well darn...
|
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 6, 2013 20:50:29 GMT -5
I legitimately like the Trololo song.  I enjoyed Legolas quite a bit in Fellowship. That moment near the end where he uses arrows to take down three orcs in about as many seconds was truly badass. But I guess they decided that since the ladies liked him, they'd emphasize him in the next two installments and give him cheesy moments like skateboarding down the steps of the Hornburg in Two Towers. By that point Gimli was little more than comic relief so I can see why you'd be disappointed. |
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 6, 2013 21:00:54 GMT -5
I legitimately like the Trololo song. I enjoyed Legolas quite a bit in Fellowship. That moment near the end where he uses arrows to take down three orcs in about as many seconds was truly badass. But I guess they decided that since the ladies liked him, they'd emphasize him in the next two installments and give him cheesy moments like skateboarding down the steps of the Hornburg in Two Towers. By that point Gimli was little more than comic relief so I can see why you'd be disappointed. Gimli still is way more quotable than that idiot Legolas. "Bring your pretty face to my axe." "You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." "I'm wasted on cross-country! We Dwarves are natural sprinters, very dangerous over short distances." "Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about, hmm... except the consistency of squirrel droppings?" "That was deliberate, it was deliberate."(I use this quote all the time in real life) "He was *twitching* because he's got my axe EMBEDDED IN HIS NERVOUS SYSTEM!" "This new Gandalf is more grumpy than the old one." "They had no honor in life. They have none now in death."(I occasionally use a rendition of this quote when describing people like Osama Bin Laden and serial killers) "Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" "Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead." "Let them come. There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath." "I have been dealt a wound beyond all healing, for I have looked the last... upon that which was fairest." |
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 6, 2013 21:03:13 GMT -5
Sam Gamgee also has some of my favorite quotes in the movie.
|
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 6, 2013 21:09:09 GMT -5
As I glanced over your first post I saw "Osama bin Laden" and was amused at the idea of Gimli actually having a bin Laden joke in the films.
|
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 9:17:58 GMT -5
The first reviews are in for The Desolation of Smaug. So far 7 out of 10 reviews on Rottentomatoes have been positive.
Among the negative comments: "There comes a time when we must stop kidding ourselves. These 'Hobbit' films - with 'The Desolation of Smaug' representing the shank of the trilogy - are not real movies." "The Further Adventures Of Chasing Gemstones That Mean Something Or Other To The Dwarves" might be a better suited subtitle." "Maybe this really is what a lot of people want to see from a film version of The Hobbit, but let's at least accept that Tolkien would probably not have been among them."
Among the positive comments: "Middle-earth's got its mojo back. A huge improvement on the previous installment, this takes our adventurers into uncharted territory and delivers spectacle by the ton." "Eschewing the kitchen-sink minutiae of the first installment, Peter Jackson creates a rousing, immersive sequel that offers the same sort of sweeping action - and emotional engagement - that helped the "Rings" films become a cultural phenomenon." "It's a breathlessly told, action-packed crowd-pleaser that restores the luster of the saga for those underwhelmed by its predecessor and leaves you excited for the final chapter in the trilogy."
|
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 7, 2013 11:32:46 GMT -5
The negative comments seem like people who would not have(Or did not) enjoy the book.
The positive comments seem to be from people who really don't even care about the books at all and are actually judging the film as a film and not a book to movie adaptation.
|
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 17:14:44 GMT -5
My friend (who likes the first film more than myself) said "I don't need people who missed the mark with the first film to get me excited for this one". The way I look at it is this: I did enjoy AUJ (though not as much as the LOTR films) so if the majority of critics feel that DoS is a marked improvement, I'm probably going to love it.
Smaug himself and the barrel sequence are receiving near-universal praise. A typical comment (sequence of events spoiler): "Smaug is a startlingly well-executed creation, toggling between arrogance, indolence and rage as he uses his wyrm-tongue to try to draw out Bilbo. And once he does, the film kicks into full throttle for an immense, half-hour finale that threatens to bring down the mountain itself. It’s Jackson once more at the top of his game; God knows what he has in store for part three."
|
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 7, 2013 17:17:41 GMT -5
My friend (who likes the first film more than myself) said "I don't need people who missed the mark with the first film to get me excited for this one". The way I look at it is this: I did enjoy AUJ (though not as much as the LOTR films) so if the majority of critics feel that DoS is a marked improvement, I'm probably going to love it. Smaug himself and the barrel sequence are receiving near-universal praise. A typical comment (sequence of events spoiler): "Smaug is a startlingly well-executed creation, toggling between arrogance, indolence and rage as he uses his wyrm-tongue to try to draw out Bilbo. And once he does, the film kicks into full throttle for an immense, half-hour finale that threatens to bring down the mountain itself. It’s Jackson once more at the top of his game; God knows what he has in store for part three." The description you gave for the Smaug battle... Doesn't sound ANYTHING like the book. That said it still does sound epic and I can't wait to watch it. |
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 17:22:11 GMT -5
{End of Desolation of Smaug spoilers}
Well Smaug does escape the mountain and begin attacking Lake Town, doesn't he? Before Bard fires the black arrow and brings him down? I can see them making an epic action sequence out of that. Everything else (calling out Bilbo, eventually spotting him) sounds as I remember. |
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 7, 2013 17:39:41 GMT -5
{End of Desolation of Smaug spoilers}
Well Smaug does escape the mountain and begin attacking Lake Town, doesn't he? Before Bard fires the black arrow and brings him down? I can see them making an epic action sequence out of that. Everything else (calling out Bilbo, eventually spotting him) sounds as I remember. What I'm most afraid of is Legolas replacing Bard... Please tell me that isn't the case. |
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 18:03:14 GMT -5
(Slight Hobbit spoilers) From the reviews I've read his role (and that of Tauriel) seems generally limited to the scenes where the company is captured by the elves and subsequently escape in the barrels. Bard's in it and is getting pretty decent reviews. In fact the Lake Town scenes themselves appear to be getting fair praise, even from a couple of the critics who didn't love the film.
|
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 7, 2013 18:05:49 GMT -5
But my question is whether they have Legolas deal the final blow instead of Bard.
|
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 18:21:10 GMT -5
That's what I'm saying, the reviews seem to indicate that he enters and exits the picture in pace with the capture and escape at Mirkwood. While I can't say with certainty whether he shows up again none of the reviewers have mentioned him in any other context or hinted that he performs any other character's role. Apparently it was just one of those "Hey, the story involves Legolas' dad and Legolas was alive during this time so it would be cute to include Legolas in those scenes" kind of liberties.
|
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 7, 2013 18:24:08 GMT -5
That's what I'm saying, the reviews seem to indicate that he enters and exits the picture in pace with the capture and escape at Mirkwood. While I can't say with certainty whether he shows up again none of the reviewers have mentioned him in any other context or hinted that he performs any other character's role. Apparently it was just one of those "Hey, the story involves Legolas' dad and Legolas was alive during this time so it would be cute to have Legolas there for those scenes" kind of liberties. I hope Gimli appears sometime in the film, what with his dad(Gloin) being in the actual main party that the movie follows... Also seeing as the Battle of the Five Armies includes an army of about 500 Dwarves they could easily add in Gimli as one of them... |
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 18:29:14 GMT -5
I was more of a fan of Gimli going into the LOTR movies but I have to admit, Legolas won me over.
|
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 7, 2013 18:31:12 GMT -5
But yeah, I can't wait to see the Battle of Five Armies in the movies. That was probably my favorite battle between The Lord of the Rings series and The Hobbit.
|
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 18:38:09 GMT -5
It seems that one thing most people can agree on is Jackson's flair for executing massive battle sequences. While the Battle of Five Armies isn't really deep or strategic I can only imagine how incredible such an epic scene like that will play out under his direction.
(Spoiler) Since that battle involves the elves I do think it's possible, maybe probable, that Legolas will make an appearance there.
|
|
|
|
Post by miketheratguy on Dec 7, 2013 18:41:21 GMT -5
I see two more reviews have shown up for Smaug, one negative and one positive. I'm off to give them a read.
|
|
|
|
Post by SoonDragon67 on Dec 7, 2013 18:42:01 GMT -5
(Spoiler) Since that battle involves the elves I do think it's possible, maybe probable, that Legolas will make an appearance there.  |
|
