An uncomfortable journey

Rating: 6/10 (28 December 2012)

Let me use the standard preface... I am a die hard Tolkien fan, and I loved the previous LOTR films. I still love the story, I'm not a fan of this film.
The RED cameras shooting a massive 48fps made for hyper realistic filming which I felt was rather awkward for a fantasy film. I found action scenes video gamesque, while close ups had an almost doco feel. The picture quality was so refined it served to highlight any 'flaws' (which ordinarily would be unseen)- the makeup and costuming (wig seaming).
Sweeping scenery reminiscent of the previous films is again breathtaking, but this time is in stark contrast to the humanness of the actors. I felt pulled in and out of the world, never immersed enough to forget I was in a theater.
For the positives- the score was amazing, at one point I closed my eyes and listened, possibly the most enjoyable part of the experience for me, second only to the Gollum scene. Andy Serkis brilliantly brought to life Gollum, emotive and complex, and by far the most well received scene/s of the film.
It is worth a watch, but perhaps the technology is too advanced for this old tale?
A wonderful story, but a long 3 hours lacking the authenticity I expected.