My husband and I decided to see the Hobbit in 2D first and in the 3D 48fps next week so that we could enjoy the movie without being overwhelmed by the new format. Granted, we are both theatre-trained, (my husband teaches Media as well as IB English and stage combat and I am a professional costume designer who does all the tech stuff for our Shakespeare productions) so we watch films a bit differently than many viewers. I lamented the lack of my DVR remote while watching the film because there were so many things I wanted to skip back and see again.
The sets, props, and costumes and cutlery are glorious and kudos to the wig-artists. I love the use of the Hildebrandt-inspired coloring and lighting. I love the camera angles. My hubby loves the sword-fights. I love the winks and nods to other genre favorites, especially in the casting. I love that Martin gets a proper upgraded bathrobe from the Hitchhiker's Guide movie, though the goose-turd green color shows up again in the waistcoat. (It was a popular Elizabethan color but not my favorite.)
I first read the Hobbit 47 years ago when I was 13 and as much as I love Tolkien, he was a world-builder first and a writer second. Peter, Fran and Phillipa masterfully rewove the story adding character motivations and conflicts that were missing in the book. If anyone has ever read "Leaf by Niggle" I don't know how there can be complaints about changing the canon. Tolkien, himself, was a champion niggler and he has a kindred soul in Peter Jackson. The Tree of Tales has been enhanced by the movies and I applaud everyone involved including the people of NZ and especially the folks at Weta. (If I ever get to the Weta cave, I'm not going to want to leave.)I thank all of you!

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