What didnt you like about Peter Jackson Hobbit movies?

[Barrow Wight]

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I'll spin the wheel and see what comes up...

*Bzzzzzzzzzz.........tick-tick-tick ...* Rafting molten Gold... making it look like they were on a roller coaster or in some waterpark.

. . . Making it look like a Peter Jackson movie . . . .

 

[Starbrow]

That the whole tone of the story was changed from a juvenile (in a positive sense) adventure to an over-inflated, violent, battle-filled fanfic.

 

[Radaghast]

 

[Elwing the White]

I thought that some parts of The Hobbit trilogy were honestly great (like the portrayal of Bilbo, the scenes with Gollum, and the interactions with Smaug), while others dropped below what they could have been.
In my opinion, the worst was the romance. Though the other flaws in the movies definitely annoyed me, this was the most bothersome. It felt forced and unreal, and the fact that it was between a Dwarf and an elf didn't make sense. In truth, if they wanted a relationship between a Dwarf and an elf, why not go for a friendship? At least that could have been believable to some extent.
I also felt as though it didn't even add to the plot, and could be erased easily. Peter Jackson also absolutely hated the romance, but the other producers shoved it upon him. If only he had exercised or possessed more power other the production-making, he could of omitted it.
However, since I watched Rings of Power, my heart has gone completely out of criticizing these movies, as they are masterpieces compared to RoP.

 

[Arwen67]

I must be weird. I really like them. Maybe I just like all things Tolkien related even if things are stretched somewhat. I'm watching them currently and other than fillers and additions to make them more generally appealing (i.e. to people who will never read the books) they certainly capture the general feel of what I imagine Tolkien intended.
To answer the question, I suppose some of the apparently unnecessary changes to the plot for reasons I presume are commercial. But hey, they outlay the cost and need to recoup a profit.

I'll be weird with you. I liked all the Hobbit movies, not as well as the Lord of Rings, the Two Towers, or Return of the King, but they were enjoyable.

 

[Halasían]

I thought that some parts of The Hobbit trilogy were honestly great (like the portrayal of Bilbo

The best thing that came out of these movies was the portrayal of younger Bilbo by Martin Freeman. As much as I'm critical of Peter Jackson's depictions of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, he was two-for-two in casting Ian Holm and Martin Freeman as Bilbo.

... there... I'm giving Peter Jackson credit here credit is due.

 

[Deimos]

The best thing that came out of these movies was the portrayal of younger Bilbo by Martin Freeman. As much as I'm critical of Peter Jackson's depictions of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, he was two-for-two in casting Ian Holm and Martin Freeman as Bilbo.

... there... I'm giving Peter Jackson credit here credit is due.

I don't care for Martin Freemen, the person.
I don't know him personally, of course; what I "know" of him is only how he presents himself on talk shows or interviews etc.
And what I see and hear, I find off-putting.
It's not quite fair to him because he may be a very good actor, but my visceral dislike of him gets in the way of any potential appreciation of his talent(s).

So...

 

[Deimos]

The best thing that came out of these movies was the portrayal of younger Bilbo by Martin Freeman. As much as I'm critical of Peter Jackson's depictions of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, he was two-for-two in casting Ian Holm and Martin Freeman as Bilbo.

... there... I'm giving Peter Jackson credit here credit is due.

You are, like, maybe, thinking you deserve a badge for that??? 🙄😄

 

[Ent]

my visceral dislike of him gets in the way of any potential appreciation of his talent(s).

Perhaps we need a separate thread in the "not related to anything of any value whatsoever" category, for 'actors we simply dislike.'

I have the same visceral reaction for Tom Cruise. Of course, in his case there is a total void of any scrap of an acting skill as well - so my avoidance of him has a double reason. (It's a terrible thing to say, I know, but I just can't help it. Tom Cruise needs some serious help he can't get anywhere in this world. I pray for him routinely.)

But I do suspect there are folk who have other actors who they 'just can't stand as a person' - (either with or without scraps of skills.)

 

[thattolkienlady]

Orlando Bloom should not have been anywhere near these movies. Tauriel was fine as a new character-if you remove Legolas from the equation as well as whatever that was with Kili. They could've given Azog a mention in the context of historical events, but did not like him being included as a main character. Biggest gripe was that ridiculous scene at the end when Thranduil tells Legolas to go to Rivendell and find a young ranger🤢 If you were enjoying them to that point, that kills the whole thing. I'm really surprised that Peter Jackson, as big a. LOTR fan as he claims, allowed that glaring timeline inconsistency. All that being said, I loved the casting. No one else could've played young Bilbo, in my opinion. I liked the Dwarves, but they made them too silly overall. They could have included some subtle humor, as they did in LOTR, without losing the serious tone. Of course, loved the scenery. I did enjoy the scenes from the books, particularly Bilbo's encounter with Smaug, as well as Smaug himself. I thought having him fly out of Erebor amidst a shower of gold was a breathtaking touch. Loved riddles with Gollum, and thought it was a touching moment when you see Bilbo's pity for him. I do agree with others-this shouldn't have been 3 movies. POSSIBLY 2. But certainly no more than that. As much as I would love to see other writings of Tolkien's brought to life-I have several favorites from the Silmarillion-because of the problems I've seen in film adaptation, I really just hope that they never attempt it.

 

[Ricardo]

Hmmm, where do I start?

Tauriel, no place in the story, pathetic attempt of PJ to introduce a love triangle.

Legolas, another money grabbing, I love Legolas but he doesn't belong on the Hobbit.

Portray of Thranduil, totally at odds with what Tolkien told us.

The way Fili and Kili, and Thorin look, they are supposed to be dwarves, not short men.

The unnecessarily complicated way Bard Kills Smaug.

The time filling attempts of the dwarves to unsuccessfully ward off Smaug.

Thorin's death, not that he died, he did but not that way.

 

[Deimos]

This is about acting in one particular role, and I thought he did a great job as younger Bilbo.
Don't really care what your personal opinion is of the man himself.

Perhaps we need a separate thread in the "not related to anything of any value whatsoever" category, for 'actors we simply dislike.'

I just read this ...man, you two sound cranky! Or even snippy. 🙄

 

[Elthir]

 

[Ricardo]

Perhaps we need a separate thread in the "not related to anything of any value whatsoever" category, for 'actors we simply dislike.'

I have the same visceral reaction for Tom Cruise. Of course, in his case there is a total void of any scrap of an acting skill as well - so my avoidance of him has a double reason. (It's a terrible thing to say, I know, but I just can't help it. Tom Cruise needs some serious help he can't get anywhere in this world. I pray for him routinely.)

But I do suspect there are folk who have other actors who they 'just can't stand as a person' - (either with or without scraps of skills.)

Although unrelated to Tolkien, I have to say that with Tom Cruise I am in 2 minds.

I agree he isn't a good actor, he just plays Tom Cruise in every movie, the characters are really not different at all.

But, on the other hand, being a top star in Hollywood means he appears in many great movies which I don't want to miss.

 

[Deimos]

Bingo! 😁

Although unrelated to Tolkien, I have to say that with Tom Cruise I am in 2 minds.

I agree he isn't a good actor, he just plays Tom Cruise in every movie, the characters are really not different at all.

But, on the other hand, being a top star in Hollywood means he appears in many great movies which I don't want to miss.

Hey, it worked for John Wayne and Charlton Heston for years.
Their talents to play different characters ran the gamut from A to B (or even A to A).
Wayne was always a Cowboy (even an Irish Cowboy in The Quiet Man) and Heston was always Moses or Judah Ben-Hur (with one exception, and only one: when he played the corrupt border cop in A Touch of Evil)

By way of contrast: an actor who all but disappears in his roles....

An Actor's actor... an exemplar of the very best.

 

[Ent]

I am in 2 minds.

Not to worry, Ricardo. I'm often in 2 minds as well

John Wayne and Charlton Heston for years.

Indeed. But these two were at least able to deliver their roles somewhat convincingly.
I remain unable to locate an attraction to Tom Cruise from almost any facet I approach him.
In fact, I don't find any facets to look at.
Yet clearly, many find him a great draw for some reason or other. So the problem is obviously my own.
Perhaps some day I'll be able to look back on it all, and say "Oh...so THAT's what it is/was..!!"
We shall see.

 

[Barrow Wight]

Bingo! 😁

View attachment 43175


Hey, it worked for John Wayne and Charlton Heston for years.
Their talents to play different characters ran the gamut from A to B (or even A to A).
Wayne was always a Cowboy (even an Irish Cowboy in The Quiet Man) and Heston was always Moses or Judah Ben-Hur (with one exception, and only one: when he played the corrupt border cop in A Touch of Evil)

By way of contrast: an actor who all but disappears in his roles....

View attachment 43180

View attachment 43181

View attachment 43182

View attachment 43185

An Actor's actor... an exemplar of the very best.

Didn't this guy make a cameo appearance in Acolyte?

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

Didn't this guy make a cameo appearance in Acolyte?

John Wayne or Charlton Heston? Both have been dead for a while

 

[Barrow Wight]

John Wayne or Charlton Heston? Both have been dead for a while

As has Alec Guinness. None of those three would have appeared in the joke that was Acolyte!

 

[Ricardo]

First a disclaimer, I absolutely hated the hobbit trilogy, the first one was ok, the other 2 were terrible.

While I understand the need to cut things from the books to fit in a movie time and some times add something to make it more attractive to the audiences, Peter Jackson did a terrible job at that.
Even though these movies were filmed way after LOTR, they were from a cinematic perspective much worse, like they rushed thing or didn't have the budget.

The love triangle is an abomination. Nowhere in any Tolkien's book there is a romance between dwarves and elves, it was an unnecessary distraction and silly at best.

While most of the dwarves are portrayed right, Fili, Kili and Thorin look nothing like dwarves.

Azog was long dead by the time of the battle of the 5 armies.

Legolas and Tauriel weren't characters.

Bard killed Smaug with a regular bow and a black arrow.

Thorin didn't die as shown in the movie (obviously since Azog wasn't there).

Fili and Kili are probably the least mentioned dwarves in the books, in the movie they are the most important ones after Thorin.

Already mentioned but the CGI wasn't really that good.

Thranduil depiction is totally wrong.

The failed attempt of the dwarves to kill Smaug never happened.

I mean, one thing is to adapt a script for a movie, another is to completely bastardize and disrespect the book.

And PJ is paying the price now, he is limited to do a ridiculous movie about a non-important plot in LOTR because after the Hobbit, the Tolkien's heirs had enough and he will never make the Silmarillion (I thank Eru for that).