Hobbit Hang-ups

So the Hobbit is coming out tomorrow. Peter Jackson's new trilogy, and it's starring Martin Freeman and a whole ton of Hollywood heavyweights, not to mention Benedict Cumberbatch. From the cast list alone I'm expecting a flashier version of BBC's Sherlock; what can I say? I'm setting myself up for disappointment here.



I'm having mixed feelings about seeing this film, of course. On the one hand, I know Peter Jackson can be called upon to make a suitably epic movie, and I'm certain I'll be reassured once I see Sir Ian McKellen return as Gandalf the grey - who can say they preferred Gandalf the white, after all? - but on the other hand there are a lot of things going on which aren't in the original tale, and I'm worried about how the whole story will work as a trilogy spread over the years.

I'm also on edge because I've made a decision I worry I'll regret: I'm going to see it in 3D. The thing is, I see 3D as a gimmick. I'm fairly sure Avatar proved this ("Look at our movie! It's all CGI and it's in 3D!" Thanks, I still preferred Robert Downey Jr's 2D arse in Sherlock Holmes). I don't think it'll add anything, but I feel like Jackson's shot it in 3D because it's how he wants us to see it. He's gone to great lengths to make it feel like we're really in the story with this one, and I feel duty-bound to see it as he wants it to be seen, if only because I could well be bitching about it later, and I want to be totally accurate.

Despite all my apprehension, I'm actually looking forward to seeing it tomorrow. Jackson's really going all out with this; we'll have goblins, trolls, spiders, and of course Smaug and Gollum, two of the best characters in the LOTR mythos. Sure, I have my doubts about him using 48fps digital footage, but the guy's got his own studios and the LOTR trilogy - three pretty damn awesome feathers in his cap, you gotta admit - so I trust his judgement. And I'm pretty stoked about Martin Freeman being given the lead role; from what I've seen of him (mainly in Sherlock) I'm confident he knows his stuff, and Jackson and McKellen are both certain he's the man for the job. I'm sure that, despite my objections, it'll turn out to be a brilliant movie, and I will absolutely love it.

As I always do...

Adieu!