Movies: The Hobbit

Yes, I had a ticket to a midnight showing :) Like there was any doubt. By chance, and not because I was looking to - I ended up at a HFR Imax #d showing. It wasn't my intention actually. But I picked the theater close to home (so I wouldn't have a longer drive). I found out later it was showing in HFR. Several other IMAX's around were NOT. Oh well. I just jumped into the deep end. Worried that it would make me sick, I took one of my motion sickness pills - which helped.

Overall, Enjoyable movie. Loved Martin Freeman as Bilbo, Richard Armitage does a stunning Thorin, Gandalf was pretty amusing and Andy Serkis blows you away with Gollum. The dwarves were all individual and well done - and actually, easy to keep apart (even if one keeps forgetting their names) by their hairstyles. Good choice on that Jackson.

Despite critic's grumbling - I liked the prologue - you need that history which what the dwarves had been through to see why they are willing to risk so much to return home. NZ is BEAUTIFUL. Really. I've been there, and oh yea, you can TELL when it's filmed in NZ and what's filmed in 'sets'. Which... is one problem with the HFR. The sets look a little too polished/sparkling/flat. The CGI just isn't up to the HFR. I also enjoyed the White Council bit at Rivendell - and a more warrior acting Elrond!

Pros to HFR: NZ in all it's glory, Gollum who's so alive he all but leaps off the screen, very intense

Cons to HFR: Sets and costumes need to be up to a higher standard, the 'rain fail' scene, other CGI baddies are not up to Gollum's standards

I'll need to see the movie again in NON HFR to vote which way is the best - sneaky.

Easy vote - see it in a theater no matter which format you choose!