[Annalaliath]

I found that if you look at the movies as movies and not compare them to the books, they tend to stand better. You can't make perfect adaptions of anything, especially a book like The Hobbit. That has always bothered me about people compare them expecting them to be exact. There are things in the book, that make good reading, but on the screen are just plain stupid, and it works the other way round too. I personally liked how the Dwarves have personalities, and quirks, that (yes a book comparison) they all did things, not just silent partners.

Another, comparison, I liked that they took part in the action scenes with Smaug. That is actually one of my pet peeves with the books, they just sent Bilbo in there, and waited on the stoop. I never liked that part of the books and I loved that PJ had the Dwarves as more active members in the plot. In the books this sit-on-the-stoop-and-wait worked fine, but in the movies that would have been the most boring thing ever! Not to mention that sensibilities have changed, and we need more actions!

Smaug was just cool.

The way they handled the ring, as it affected Bilbo, and how he doesn't use much. I really need to watch it again.

Thranduil was such a jerk, that his character was pretty good. And the addition of the injury was rather disturbing, but good. Also, the tidbit about him being of a higher status Elf was something that many of us Tolkien nerds would get.


The humor was something I liked in these movies so far. It was needed, but I think it was well done. And the PJ cameo was hilarious. I practically laughed myself to death when I saw it.

I was also very happy about the inclusion of at least some of the songs. That is one of the things I remember best when I read the books as a kid.

Azog wasn't an unwelcome addition.

Radagast was pretty cool too. Why? Well, he was more like how I saw him the first time I read about him.... and secondly, he wound up being the Doctor.... That couldn't have been a coincidence. Good wizards almost always turn out to the Doctor.

I think that Martin Freeman did a superb job of playing Bilbo. I've loved him as Arthur Dent, and I found it funny him running around Bag End with his bathrobe on. Honestly, I believe they couldn't have found someone who could have played him better.

Of course Ian Holm is wonderful as well. My favorite scene in the beginning of An Unexpected Journey, was when his face lit up at the thought of the party. Like a kid. It was wonderful.

The inclusion of the White council was also pretty cool, I mean, when I was reading the book for the first time, I was annoyed that Gandalf kept running off to deal with things, with no explanation other than that he was a wizard and did that stuff all the time.

There are many other things that I liked about these two movies (so far), but there are things that I didn't like as well, but that is for another thread.

(gonna apologize for any capitol letters I forgot, my keyboard only has one shift key, and I find it hard to type correctly on it.)