This is my entry in the Adventure-a-thon, hosted by Realweegiemidget Reviews and Cinematic Catharsis
You know, one of the most intriguing questions I have ever had, about the movies I have made a hobby of reviewing, is this:
When Peter Jackson made his monumental trilogy of J. R. R. Tolkein's saga The Lord of the Rings, he divided it into, appropriately, three films, like the original published print version of the epic: (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King). OK, good enough. The epic print version, if found in one volume, totals in the neighborhood of 1200 pages. And if published in separate volumes, each book is between 350 to 450 pages.
That means each segment of the LOTR movies is a 3 hour long encapsulation of a 400 page book.
So here's the question. Why did it take three whole movies, each with running times equal to just one of the trilogy films, to film a book that, by comparison to just one of the trilogy books, is a pipsqueak? (Most copies of The Hobbit, barring any over-long odes and tributes by publishers, barely run over 300 pages).
Of course, part of the answer is probably due to that Jackson's previous success made him a darling in the finance department...
"What's that, Pete? You want $750 million to make the prequel to LOTR? Oh, and you're going to divide into three films? OK, Pete, how do you want that first third of the money, $20's? $50's?"
If you had seen the original trilogy beforehand, you knew what to expect from Jackson, as he had an excellent eye for the scope of the story. Not to mention the fact that his native New Zealand is a great fit as a location for Hobbiton and the Middle Earth. (I have no idea whether Tolkein himself had visited the country, but it is beautiful.)
Tolkein's The Hobbit is often referred to as a "prequel", although I question that term, since the term "prequel" usually means a backstory to an already established story, and The Hobbit, as a novel, actually came out before The Lord of the Rings. So it wasn't actually a "prequel" by that definition. The story is about Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit living a life of sedate luxury (he apparently didn't need to work because he had inherited his father's estate).
Into this idyllic life come Gandalf and a crew of 13 dwarves who are on a quest to regain their old homestead which had been stolen from them by a dragon. Being superstitious, as well as needing a modicum of stealth that the hobbit can provide, they endeavor to bring Bilbo into the fold, (13 was an unlucky number even in the world of Middle-Earth).
As far as the novel, as it was transferred to the movie, as with the previous trilogy, Jackson didn't do a lot of monkeying with the basic story. There are some parts that are slightly out of sequence, and the appearance of Frodo at the beginning of the film, in which Bilbo's act of telling his background that leads into the movie proper brings on, is not a part of the original text. Of course, this was more due to the fact that Jackson had filmed The Lord of the Rings first, whereas, as I stated earlier, The Hobbit novel came out several years prior to the trilogy.
There are several other discrepancies in the film, all of which I attribute to needing to connect to that previous trilogy. For instance, the appearance of Legolas. Legolas doesn't even make an appearance in the book. He doesn't show up in Tolkein's work until The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Also not a character in the original novel is Azog. Azog, in the chronology of the Middle-Earth history, had long been dead already. And Radagast the Brown is only mentioned in passing by Gandalf, although he has a fairly strong presence in the film.
In truth, none of the discrepancies takes away from the film. In fact, especially with Radagast, in my opinion, they add to the value. And it essentially creates a stronger story. Also, there is no real pre-history of Smaug's arrival and destruction of the dwarf stronghold in the book, but adding a bit of background to the dwarf quest improves the ultimate film.
If you'd like to see a list of the nitpicking differences between novel and film, you can go here. The author of that article is not disparaging of the differences, for the most part, just pointing them out. And in some cases, the author even praises a particular change.
So, how do the films hold up. Well, not bad, if you ask me. As a matter of fact, even though I question the need for three films, I kind of like these three even more than the previous trilogy. A lot of that has to do with my enjoyment of Martin Freeman. I first came across Freeman when I saw the BBC Sherlock TV series, in which he plays Dr. Watson alongside Benedict Cumberbatch's titular character. (Check out the link for an overview of that series. It's worth watching, I can tell you.) I later saw him in the film version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and loved his portrayal of the perpetually lost and confused Arthur Dent.
Apparently Freeman was the only choice for director Jackson in the role of young Bilbo. (Ian Holm, who appeared as the older Bilbo in the LOTR trilogy, as well as here as an introduction to the story, would have been decidedly too old to play the younger version of Bilbo, despite the fact that hobbits live to extremely old age and thus have a longer span of adulthood.)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012):
The film, as previously stated, adds a prologue which appears to be some time prior to Frodo and the fellowship going off on their quest (see The Lord of the Rings). Old Bilbo (Ian Holm) is preparing for his birthday party but at the same time has decided to write down the story of his great adventure, when he was young, for Frodo.
The film quickly transitions to some 60 years prior, when Bilbo (Martin Freeman) is relaxing after his second breakfast. (Hobbits like to eat. A lot...) Onto the scene comes Gandalf (Ian McKellen), who has appeared to invite Bilbo on an adventure.
"An adventure? No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner." (Did I mention hobbits like to eat?)
Unfortunately for Bilbo, Gandalf will not be put off so easily. So the next day Bilbo is inundated with a throng of unexpected company. Of dwarves. Hobbits like company, but they usually prefer to know they are coming in advance.
It turns out that Gandalf has promoted Bilbo to the dwarves as a first class burglar (and, not to mention, a good addition, since the dwarves are numbering 13, and everybody knows 13 is an unlucky number). Thorin and the rest of the dwarves on a journey to reclaim their homeland, Erebor, currently under the fire breath rule of Smaug, an ancient dragon.
Despite Bilbo's insistence that he is not the adventurous type, eventually he gets roped into joining the dwarves troop, led by Thorin (Richard Armitage). Albeit without his usual accoutrements when going out, including a handkerchief.
The first of many obstacles for Bilbo and Thorin and company appears early on. This is the classic confrontation between three marauding trolls. The trolls have come down from the mountains (a sign that something is amiss already since the trolls never come down from the mountain.) They have taken a couple of the troop's ponies and Bilbo, being their "burglar" is nominated to scope out the situation up close. But not only is Bilbo captured, but so are the dwarves.
(And here is one of the changes that was made in the movie version. In the novel Gandalf reappeared and caused the trolls to bicker using voice casting, but for the film the job essentially became Bilbo's job, as he delays the roasting of the dwarves by trying to give the trolls a cooking lesson. I wholeheartedly agree with those who claim this was a better change in the film...)
After defeating the trolls, the dwarves find out there is a treasure that the trolls have stashed, including a couple of legendary Elvish swords. Thorin's racism against the Elves from his previous history comes to the fore, and he is about to toss aside the sword Gandalf has given him simply because it is of Elvish origin. But Gandalf convinces him that would be bad.
On to the scene comes Radagast the Brown, a Middle-Earth version of a hippie, who prefers animals as friends. But he has seen something that has caused him distress, mainly that there is a superior evil coming into Middle-Earth, in the form of a necromancer.
Gandalf and the dwarves are attacked by orcs and rush into a cave to escape. On exploring the cave they find it exits into Rivendell, legendary home of Elves. Thorin is a bit put off, since if he had his way they would never have even come within miles of Elves. But Gandalf once again shows Thorin the error of his thinking since Elves can decipher some of the map that the dwarves themselves cannot.
During their visit Gandalf has to confront Saruman (Christopher Lee), the top dog wizard of the realm, who informs him that his and the dwarves journey is not approved. This despite the fact that Gandalf reveals the information that Radagast gave him about the rise of a necromancer.
Gandalf and crew head on, but are caught in the middle of a battle of stone giants (and an aside: this scene plays out MUCH better on a big screen than it does on a tiny 55" TV...) The crew seek shelter from the battle in a cave, but they are all captured by goblins. "All" except Bilbo, who somehow gets separated.
But Bilbo is not better off than his friends because he meets up with Gollum (Andy Sirkis). Gollum is a weaselly little skunk of a man who has been living in the cave for a long time. And as a result, eats anything he can find. Including goblins and orcs. He has never tried hobbit, however. (Sounds a bit like a guy after my own heart in that respect... "What's this? Frog legs? OK, I'll give it a go...)
Bilbo, for his part, doesn't want to become dinner, so he falls into a riddle battle with the creature. The end of the bet is when one of them can't answer the other's riddle. If Bilbo wins, Gollum has to lead him out of the cave. But if Bilbo loses...? (Well, what do you think?)
Of course, Bilbo wins, but Gollum has no intention of fulfilling his part of the bargain. He goes looking for his "precious", which turns out to be a ring that turns him invisible. A ring that he lost a little earlier in the scene and Bilbo found. Bilbo discovers the magic of the ring, which is it's invisibility ability, by accident and escapes the cave, where he hooks up with Thorin and the rest.
But out of the frying pan and into the fire as they say. The entourage is attacked by a horde of orcs and wargs (giant wolves). They manage to get into the trees, but this turns out to not be the best escape route. But just as defeat is almost on them, the band is rescued by a crew of giant eagles that Gandalf summoned. The eagles take them to safety, and while scoping out where they are, they see, off in the distance, The Lonely Mountain, home of Erebor, their ultimate quest.
Bilbo: "I do believe the worst is behind us."
(Wanna bet?)
Thus ends part 1 of The Hobbit.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013):
Taking up where The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey left off, Bilbo and company are still on their journey, but there is a brief prelude. This involves Thorin meeting with Gandalf for the first time in Bree. Thorin has been searching for his father, who, despite rumors having died, Thorin thinks is still alive. Gandalf has a quest for Thorin: to retake the ancient realm of Erebor.
Fast forward to the present. As the end of the previous film indicated, the crew are in the foothills with the Lonely Mountain in the distance. But they have a problem. Orcs are on the prowl for them and they are severely outnumbered. Gandalf leads them to a house he knows of nearby, inhabited by a reclusive shape changer, Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt).
Beorn hates dwarves, but he hates orcs more, so he decides to help them by giving them some ponies to use to reach Mirkwood, a forest on the edge of the foothills. Here Gandalf makes them go on foot into this creepy forest. Bilbo, among others, is very wary of it, and it turns out his premonition is right. While in the woods the entire clan is taken captive by giant spiders (and, forewarning, if you are watching with the kids, you might be in for a few nightmares...)
The company is rescued by Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Tauriel (Evageline Lilly) and a band of wood elves. All except Bilbo, of course, who keeps using that ring, and has disappeared again.
These wood elves are not entirely sympathetic characters, because Thorin's band find themselves captives instead of compadres. While in captivity a few things occur, one of which is an attraction between Kili (Aidan Turner) and Tauriel. Thorin has especial reason to hate this particular band of elves because, if you remember from the previous film, Thranduil (Lee Pace) and his band of elves stayed out of the fight when Smaug attacked the dwarf stronghold.
The elves, having made the dwarves their prisoners, have no intention of setting them free. Especially after Thorin has expressed in no uncertain terms, of his refusal to share the treasure that Smaug is hoarding. (I mean, after all, why should Thorin share treasure that he would rightfully gain?)
But the fly in the ointment is Bilbo, who using the ring, manages to get the keys to the dwarves' cells and free them. His plan is to send them down the river, hiding them in barrels that were originally intended to send wine down river to Lake-town. But before they get there, they will have to deal with a renegade smuggler named Bard (Luke Evans).
As Bard intimates, Lake-town has some rules about incoming people. No one can enter without the blessing of the ruler of the town. But, Bard, though a mercenary, knows which side of the money his bread is buttered on, and for a fee he agrees to smuggle the crew into Lake-town via an alternate route. Once there, they demand the weapons he has promised in exchange for their gold. But these weapons are apparently not up to snuff for the dwarves. They make plans instead to hit up the armory where good dwarvish made weapons are stored. But they are caught in the act.
The company, however, gets the blessing of the Master of the city after a rousing speech by Thorin to make the town get back to it's rich glory. (And he originally disparaged the dwarves for THEIR greed...?) But not all of the company are going on. Kili, who was wounded by a poisoned orc arrow, is forced to stay behind, and his brother opts to stay with him.
While the dwarves are on their way to the secret door that will let them in, Gandalf is meanwhile searching the ancient Dol Guldur, seeking the necromancer, Sauron (voiced by Benedict Cumbrerbatch). His struggle against Sauron may even rival that of the dwarves when they eventually hook up with Smaug (incidentally ALSO voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).
When the dwarves finally get to the mountain they still have to get inside. The ancient map says when the last light of Durin's Day shines on the wall the keyhole will be revealed. but the sun sets on the dwarves without revealing it, But then again, as anyone knows, the sun is not the only source of light... When they finally get the door open, Bilbo learns that his purpose on this quest was to enter the Dragon's lair and retrieve the Arkenstone, the one jewel that means more to the right of rule by the dwarves than anything else.
Bilbo enters alone (of course), but there is a buttload of treasure, and he doesn't even know what he is looking for. His main goal is to search without waking Smaug. (Good luck with that... That ring might just come in handy at some point...)
The company of dwarves enter the cavern to help Bilbo, where they manage rekindle an ancient forge, hoping to bury Smaug in molten gold. But he is not defeated so easily. And boy, is he pissed... He takes flight to destroy the nearby Lake-town. Leaving Bilbo to look on and muse...
"What have we done?"
And thus ends part 2 of The Hobbit
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014):
In the concluding film of the three part series, Smaug is on a rampage. You think you know :revenge"? Smaug has a better clarification of the word... The scene opens with Lake-town preparing for the oncoming dragon. And, of course, the Master, being the essence of self-centered, is trying to save his own hide... and of course, the gold.
"But sire, should we not try to save the town?"
"The town is lost! Save the gold!"
The Master and his toadies are evacuating and it is suggested they could take some of the people with them.. "But they're hardly worth it..." (Boy, if there is anyone, besides Smaug, you are rooting against, it would have to be the Master...)
Bard is locked away in the dungeon. While the rest of the town is in full scale panic Bard has enough wits about him to try to escape the dungeon. Once free he does not try to evacuate with the rest. He grabs his arrows, but of course the only thing that can actually kill Smaug is a specially made black arrow. He makes his way to the top of one of the city's tower. But is arrows are useless. Until his son brings him the only remaining black arrow.
(See, in an early portion of the trilogy, it was stated that the last time Smaug showed up, a small chink in it's scales was created. This place exposes the body of the dragon and the ONLY way it can be killed.)
And thus Smaug is defeated. End of movie.
Not so fast. There's more to come... (What? You thought the third movie was only going to last 12 minutes?)
There is still a lot of trouble ahead. A lot. Remember the Necromancer, Sauron? He still lives, and the dragon only represented one pawn in his chess game.
Back in Lake-town, everyone learns that Bard is the one who defeated the dragon and a cry goes up to make him the new king. But it is not a position that Bard wants. Reluctantly he becomes the leader of the town since there is no one to lead them, but he wants to shy away from the regal position.
Meanwhile, back at Erebor, there is trouble afoot. Thorin has all this gold, but the only treasure that really matters to him is the Arkenstone and he sets all of his dwarf companions to look for it. Searching Bilbo would be the best bet, since he actually found it and is currently hiding it. But it becomes apparent that greed has seeped it's way into Thorin's heart. Nothing will satisfy that greed except the Arkenstone.
But greed is not the only trouble brewing. An army of orcs is on the horizon. And more orcs are being assembled. Their plan is to take Erebor and the Lonely Mountain and destroy every living creature in their way, be they men or elves or dwarves (no special dispensations here...)
Meanwhile, in Dol Guldur, where Gandalf is being held captive there is a bit of rescue in the works. Radagast and Galadriel and Saruman have shown up to free the prisoner. One magician against an orc horde may be a wee bit of a case of being outnumbered, but against four powerful beings. I'd say the orcs have their goals overwhelmed. But Gandalf, having been rescued says he must proceed to Erebor to warn them "the battle for the mountain is about to begin."
Thorin may not quite care, since he still seeks the Arkenstone. Bilbo is told that if the Arkenstone were found it would not make Thorin's greed abate, it would definitely worsen the situation, so for the moment he keeps it hidden.
The survivors of Lake-town return to the ancient town of Dale, and they discover that the dwarves survived Smaug... and now have a buttload of gold. (It seems that greed is not in the sole ownership of dwarves...) Not only them. Into the fray come the wood elves. They too desire part of the treasure, but really, only that part which was theirs in the first place... But they are willing to assault the dwarven stronghold to get it, since they apparently believe it will not be given to them freely.
Gandalf tries to warn the elves and the men of Lake-town, who are preparing for a siege of Erebor that there is a greater threat on the horizon, an orc army, seeking the Lonely Mountain for their own purposes. Not for it's gold, but for it's strategic position for an assault on the lands beyond. see, their master, Sauron has a greater goal in mind, that of complete control of Middle-Earth (and of course, the entire world after that...)
Bilbo, being the only rational mind besides Gandalf, has a plan to prevent war. He takes the Arkenstone to the elf lord in order to try. His plan is for them to use it to exchange with Thorin that which they ultimately are seeking; their due share of the treasure.
But will it work? Probably not... Thorin is so angry with Bilbo that he tries to kill him. But Bilbo's life is once again saved. Thorin's desire for war rather than give up any of his gold is about to come to fruition...
An army of dwarves arrive to help defend Erebor. A war is imminent. But just at the beginning here come the orcs. You think it could get any worse?
The epic battle that follows rivals any of the great war epics of old, or of even today. The valiant dwarves dive in first, but the men, though running for the town, end up in their own battle to save the town. And then, finally, the wood elves, who way back at the beginning had declined to help the dwarves in their battle to save Erebor from Smaug, join in the fray.
Meanwhile, back at Erebor, Thorin's greed still has a strong hold. He will not give up his gold, even if it means abandoning his own dwarf kin outside the mountain. But salvation is nigh. After hallucinations make him realize that an evil greed has taken him over, he manages to find the strength to shed it and do what is right (no political comparisons to leaders of the present day, here, however. I've always tried to keep current politics out of this blog...)
Eventually, of course, as it absolutely HAS to be in such tales, good triumphs over evil. But not without it's own losses. Several characters we have come to know and even love have to give their lives to help the ultimate battle reach it's final destiny. The film does end with triumph however, and some good news. Of course, if you saw the beginning of the film, and since his story is the basis for the adventure we have been watching, Bilbo does survive to the end. And we know he will be the beginning of another adventure (one that one day I hope to include here on this blog: The Lord of the Rings.)
Well, folks, that ends this epic and unexpected journey. Now it's time for the "expected" journey... home. See you next time.
Quiggy