. . . unusual film and filming method used for Hobbits

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2012)

This movie was supposed to be filmed with the same film stock (Kodak 3256) used to film E.T. but since there was not enough film available, the director decided to film it at twice the speed of normal speed. He also decided to used a digital medium instead of the old analogue method which was an excellent idea because even though vinyl sounds better than CD's and 70mm film looks better than the best digital projection, it was actually easier to use zero's and one's instead of the base ten system to make this movie since it is almost 180 minutes long. 1.5 times longer than E.T. (The original version - not the director's cut) At 60 frames a second, there is no intermission but if it had been projected at the std. rate of 30 frames a second, then the movie would have been six hours long )plus or minus 60 minutes) The movie's plot very much resembles the std. Greek tragedy three act play. The characters are costumed so that the audience can tell one actor from the other. The music was composed before the movie was shot and so the movie was perfectly conformed to the music. However, all the dialogue was spoken after the film was completed to maintain a constant lip sync. No electrons were harmed during the digital filming of this movie although their polarity may have been changed. The high point of the film is about 38 minutes into the movie when - if you look at the upper right hand side of the scene, a boom microphone can clearly be seen waving about and then the black foam, used to cut down on the wind noise, falls off and hits one of the elfs on the head and knocks him out cold. This was not in the original book but the director took artistic license to add this key scene to the shooting script rather than refilming the scene. The latest report is the elf was not seriously injured by the cylindrical piece of foam. I stayed till the credits ended and I was sure glad I did. When the auditorium lights came on, I was the last person left and on my way out, I picked up a half eaten tub of buttered popcorn and a warm Diet Coke which allowed me to walk into the next theater as if I had just bought my snacks. No one stopped me at the door to look at my ticket. I have pulled this ruse for the last two decades and has saved me a whole bunch of money on first run movies and snacks. I question the rating of the film because my dod had to hide her eyes with her paws during several brutal scenes involving the animal extra's who turned out only got half the std. pay for extra's only because they were animals and they were also not allowed to eat any of the catered food. So the rating I feel is maybe a bit misleading so you should preview this movie before you bring your pets. I look forward to parts two and three and will be writing a review for these parts but I am seriously considering not taking my dog until I preview the movie or I might even wait until the bluray (pet safe) DVD is released. I can only speak for my dog and not forany other pets especially cats. The movie seems to fly by, especially the credits which are flying by at twice the speed because of being projected at 60 frames a second. I would recommend getting in line early for this film and have a pizza and cokes delivered to you in line while you wait and this way you won't have to wait in another snack bar line. Because of the length of this film, I would suggest bringing at least a gallon of filtered water for each member of your party, dress in layers, pack plenty of energy bars and bring a rain parka and one of those thermal blankets that fold up really small. Try not and look at the movie poster in the lobby as you proceed to your seat because of the obvious plot spoilers that are clearly hidden in plain sight. Try and not look too closely at the full title as it will give away the reason all these little trolls are going on a journey. In respect for the those people who don't put salt on their popcorn, please don't throw salt over your shoulders even though the theater owners condone such actions.