Bloated and simply boring

Rating: 1/10 (27 December 2012)

Just saw "The Hobbit" in 2D and standard 24 fps. There is some good to be said about this movie: Many set-designs and landscape shots are quite beautiful (in case you missed the same set-designs and landscape shots in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy)... Alas, this does not a great movie make! In terms of plotting, pacing or character development "The Hobbit" falls unbelievably short. Actually this movie is like watching six or eight fantasy video game trailers in sequence. Jackson put much effort in creating 3D-worthy graphics but none in a story worthy to be told. The additions to Tolkien's Book feel contrived and unnecessary, bordering on ridiculous.
The movies action has neither point nor focus. Especially (but not exclusively) the battle scenes feel drawn out and overlong. During the screening I saw, two people in my row actually fell asleep during the movie, proving that action for it's own sake is simply... tiring.
Jacksons interpretation of The Lord Of The Rings was partly faithful as well as partly very far from the original source. Either way, one had the impression, that Jackson was driven to tell (his version of) this story. With The Hobbit, you get the expression that Jackson's only drive is to cash in. A pity.
I won't say, that I'll avoid the coming parts two and three - I'll definitely wait for the budget DVD/Blu-Ray though.