1. The dwarves: Quite a few of them have the ‘dwarf’ look.Most people express concern about the hair, but you didn’t, so it seems you’re open minded. Dori, Gloin, Oin, Balin and Bombur certainly do have a more roundish build. As for the rest, I think it’s important that they each have a uniqueness about them. I remember imagining all the dwarves around Bilbo’s table and had a very hard time telling them apart because they all looked so alike because I was using the traditional view of dwarves. It was certainly gutsy for PJ to do what he did. In the end, all I’m saying is that the change in built will help us tell them apart.

2. Bilbo’s size: I understand what what you’re getting at. Hobbit’s are fat and that’s the end of it. However neither Frodo, Pippin or Merry had hobbit paunches in the films. Only Sam did. So what I’m asking is did you mind the other three hobbits being thin as well? Because if you did then that would be consistent.

3. Thorin’s appearance: The most violent years for Thorin would’ve been in his youth during the War of Dwarves and Orcs. That battle lasted about six years, and Thorin would’ve been in his early thirties. So by the time that was over he would’ve still have had much strength and gained much fighting experience. After the war his father took Durin’s folk and lived in the Blue Mountains and enjoyed a small amount of prosperity, though nothing compared to what they had before. It wasn’t necessarily a life full of violence. So in conclusion Thorin life wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t all scraps and barren desserts either. That said, he is described as having white hair in the books. I guess will just have to wait for Richard Armitage’s portrayal.

So, did that help you at all? Let me know.

I love all the visuals and the detail that we have seen and i trust Peter to deliver the best possible translation of the book to screen. I will probably see both films multiple times, etc.

Here it comes–BUT…i don’t like the overall scale of the dwarves or Bilbo. They are not fat enough. Even “young” elves should be pudgy–not look like splindly elves. Some are rightly plump or fat, but half of them really aren’t. Gimli was a perfect dwarf and few in this version rival his “true” dwarfish figure.

When i look at Freeman, he looks the part, but all i see is a “man” in a wig with big feet. He looks too tall and too thin. We all know that “it has been remarked by some that Hobbits’ only real passion is for food. A rather unfair observation as we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales and the smoking of pipe-weed.” Hey, if i ate 6 meals a day and drank beers, i would be–oh wait a minute! I think i just proved my point, I have a belly, where is Bilbo’s??

One last gripe. Oakenshield is too young looking and pretty. Isnt this a famous dwarf warrior? His face does not look war-worn and he looks like he has been hitting the JFD (that’s Just for Dwarves). Where is the gray?!?! Of course he looks bad to the bone, but his face and quaff do not exude the experince and wisdom of battles and years of hardship living in exile.

Does any one else see this? I need some support to get over this…

Lobbygow