An Unexpected Tedium

Rating: 6/10 (7 January 2013)

If this and KING KONG are what Peter Jackson are capable of when he's given free rein, then someone please bring back the bit and bridle. I've heard complaints about the movie from purists, but I am not one, and don't really care that the story has been extended...just that it's been done so tediously. Don't look for anything similar to the theatrical releases for the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy...think more the DVD director's cuts.
I liked the background presented in the opening of the movie, but in hindsight it is a rather long prologue that is a good indicator for the next two and a half hours. Other than the interesting scenes of character interaction and dialog, it feels like half of the movie is an extended chase/combat sequence and/or majestic (CGI?) aerial views (though actual minute count may be lower, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually more than half of the movie). It's not action-porn like the last couple of TRANSFORMERS movies, but it's more like adventure-porn ("porn" in the sense that much of it seems gratuitous and unnecessary to furthering the story).
If you have a high tolerance for drawn out adventure (with occasional ridiculous feats having more in common with THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL than the first trilogy), this movie may be for you. Otherwise, take a blanket, and prepare to pay for a ten dollar nap.
***SPOILER???*** It reminded me of the difference between episodes one through three of the STAR WARS trilogy when compared to episodes four through six. Perhaps if I wasn't already familiar with how things turn out, there would be a real sense of adventure and danger in the action and chase...but probably not. There are plenty of movies I watch repeatedly, regardless of knowing how they turn out. With this one, I only stayed to the ending because I was interested to see where they chose to make a chapter break in the story. As it turns out, not any place worth my revisiting.