Review of the adaptation and the HFR 3D

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2012)

Many reviews from the professional or amateur film critics have already gone over the story and mechanics. Wanted to write a general overview of the entertainment value and if the 3D is worth viewing.
Peter Jackson used additional writings of J.R.R. Token to make this film. The author wrote prolifically in the LoTR trilogy, epilogues, and works not published about the events of this story and Peter Jackson has added them to the film. This makes it longer than the book would have been on its own. It adds to the story but there are elements that were added by the screenwriters. The movie felt a little too long partly from the added story and that the source material is character driven more than action driven. It is an entertaining film and tells a good story. The acting is up to the high standards of the LoTR trilogy. It has more humor and is lighter in its theme, cinematography, and tone. It was written as a children's story but has been adapted to be more PG-13 with the fight scenes showing violence and blood in a realistic way.
I was able to catch the film in the High Frame Rate (HFR) 3D version (non-IMAX). The HFR 3D is filmed and shown as 48 Frames Per Second (FPS) as opposed to the movie industry standard 24 FPS. There is a noticeable difference. One nice part to this is it carries the same ticket price as standard 3D, no premium like the IMAX 3D. Regular 3D can darken the film a little. The HFR 3D was very bright and clear. It has a higher immersion affect than standard 3D. The best way to describe it is with an analogy, HFR 3D is to 3D what a standard CRT (tube) TV is to 1080P High Definition LED TV. It is much sharper and brighter. Special affects and makeup/costumes are more visible and sharp. There did appear to have a small negative to this, it is easier to spot CGI affects and makeup. The dwarf's bald caps and some actor's makeup were noticeable. It did take a little while to get used to how it changed the picture. For the movie buffs who understand the technical side, it appears as if no filter was used on the camera, it had a home video camera sharpness to it that lacked the smoothing of the images for the sets and actors. Though, the outdoor scenes were much more spectacular. The Shire was incredible! The mountain scenes were also incredible. Certain special affects were improved with the HFR 3D while others were more noticeable.
The HFR 3D is new technology to movie theaters and may not be for everyone, yet. If you are going to see it more than once in a theater, would suggest seeing it once in this form to decide for yourself. For me, it has many of the same strengths and weaknesses of HDTV, and the HFR 3D does look High Definition.