Lord of the Readalong 2020 discussion

I (Krista) plan on watching all 3 Hobbit movies by the end of January...hopefully. If you're watching them too we can use this thread to chat about what we think of the adaptation.

Oh, I like this idea! There's a lot to dig into.

I’m planning on watching all three as well!

I hadn't thought about doing this. Great idea! I have never seen the films and it will be interesting to compare them.

Can't wait!

Have some catching up to do. I hope to finish by the end of the month. Then plan to binge watch all 3 movies.

If you all can, I would suggest watching the 70's animated version as well. IMHO it is better (and more faithful to the book) than the newer ones.

B.J. wrote: "If you all can, I would suggest watching the 70's animated version as well. IMHO it is better (and more faithful to the book) than the newer ones."

I love the 70's version.
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So, I watched the first of the three movies and it really turned me off from watching the other two. I think I'm going to try to get the animated one instead. I understand that middle earth has dark magic and orcs and all that, but they weren't in The Hobbit book and I wish they didn't add them to the movie. I did love the scene with Gollum and the scene at the beginning when all the dwarves invade Bilbo's home, but there was a lot that I didn't like. I knew that going in, but was kind of hoping for a miracle. haha. Oh, and Thorin was much younger in the movie than I pictured in my head while reading the book.

This is why I always try to read the book before seeing the movie or show. They add or take things out and nailing down the look and sound of a character instead of letting my imagination take over takes away a big part of the fun I get from reading.

The problem with that is that I struggle to accept the changes when I get to the adaptation. Ready Player One is a prime example. I wanted to leave after 10 minutes and felt like I'd set fire to £20. I'm actually a little wary of how the Middle Earth movies will be for me. I'll not be watching them until after finishing the series, though.

Paul wrote: "Ready Player One is a prime example. I wanted to leave after 10 minutes and felt like I'd set fire to £20."

I felt exactly the same way. The book was an experience in nostalgia. The movie was horrible. Everything that made the book great was completely missing.

https://youtu.be/BC35cQKHwzg

the ballad of Bilbo baggins! a classic that must never die

I personally just love spending time in Middle Earth, no matter how I do it! Reading, watching, whatever. :) I enjoy the 70s animated film and I like the new ones too, although I do think they were trying too hard at times. Loved Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug! Also my inner 12-year-old heart was happy that they included one of the childhood loves of my life, Legolas, in the new Hobbit movies haha what can I say???

I love all the movies. I look at it as it is, a movie based off the books. I just don't view them to close to reading the book.

Spent the last couple of nights watching the first two movies with family. Tonight we'll finish with The Battle of the Five Armys. While there have been changes made I am still enjoying them. Tomorrow I'll start The Fellowship of the Ring.

Maranatha wrote: "the ballad of Bilbo baggins! a classic that must never die"

Yes!

j e n n a wrote: "I personally just love spending time in Middle Earth, no matter how I do it! Reading, watching, whatever. :) I enjoy the 70s animated film and I like the new ones too, although I do think they were..."

I agree with pretty much all of this (although I haven't seen the animated version yet, so I can't comment there). Have you seen the footage of Benedict Cumberbatch acting out the motion capture for Smaug? He was so perfect in that role.

Paul wrote: "https://youtu.be/BC35cQKHwzg"

Oh . my . word ! Hilarious.