The Hobbit, an Unexpected Journey: Extended version

[shapinglight]

Haven't seen the new Hobbit movie yet, but over the last couple of days have been watching the extended version of the first one. Have to say...

Spoilers behind cut for the first Hobbit movie extended version, should anyone care.



...for the most part, I can see why they cut the bits they cut for the cinematic version. IMO, there's only one scene- the very first, the extended version of the prelude with Old Bilbo and Frodo - that actually adds to the movie. Some of the extended footage is actually a bit wince-inducing.

That said, I did sort of enjoy the bit in Rivendell where the dwarves got fed up of the teeth-grittingly annoying (not to mention boring) elf music and started throwing bread rolls at each other. If I'd been there, I would have done the same (I have an extremely low opinion of the elves in LotR, in case that's not clear. Elrond is the only one of them I can stand - and that's only because I like Hugo Weaving).

As for the other extended scenes - I really didn't need the King of the Goblins rapping (with the inference that anyone who likes rhythm in their music must be evil), if only because his sort of faux geniality is just so different from the behaviour of all the other orcs that you just end up feeling confused.

I did laugh at his dismissal of the stolen elvish candle stick, though. "Second Age? You couldn't give it away."

Yeah, maybe I should have stuck with the cinematic version and been done with it.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

I actually found a good part of the movie (cinema version) rather boring. Mind you, I was never as enthusiastic about the LotR trilogy as most so perhaps that's to be expected.

[shapinglight]

Yes, probably.

[diebirchen.livejournal.com]

Rapping?!?!?!?!? Tolkien is rolling in his grave.

[shapinglight]

It wasn't really rapping. But it certainly wasn't singing.;)

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

MORE goblin king nonsense?

Honestly, I thought the cinematic version was at least 90 minutes overlong to begin with, I can't fathom the point of an extended version. I'm waiting for the 150-minute fan edit of the whole trilogy once it comes out. Sans goblin town.

[shapinglight]

;)

[ex_peasant441]

I thought the extended opening with how the dwarves and elves fell out was useful. (Although we still don't know why Thranduil rides an elk.) And I did like the extra bits in Rivendell. And it was nice to get the Cat and the Fiddle song.

The funniest bit with the goblin king is in the extras, where they show Barry Humphries responding to having his arm being cut off. Sadly it must have been thought too gory for the rating so they left it out of both versions.


with the inference that anyone who likes rhythm in their music must be evil

Eh, what? Not sure where you're getting that from - the dwarves are singing rhythmically all the time. Now if you had said anyone who sings out of tune is evil, you might have a point.

[shapinglight]

(Although we still don't know why Thranduil rides an elk.)

I can answer that. It's because he's a stuck up so-and-so. And being king of the elves (or a king of the elves) is no excuse.

I should have said music with a drumbeat.

[ex_peasant441]

Alright, then the next question is why does the elk put up with him?


I should have said music with a drumbeat.

Timp players everywhere are weeping into their beer.

[shapinglight]

Alright, then the next question is why does the elk put up with him?

You'd have to ask the elk. Maybe Thranduil's holding its children hostage?

Timp players everywhere are weeping into their beer.

Bet none of them are elves.

[ex_peasant441]

Maybe Thranduil's holding its children hostage?

*gasps and runs to protect the baby elklings*

[shapinglight]

*gasps and runs to protect the baby elklings*

Sadly, I fear it's too late.