Best of the Best Part 5: Nasty Hobbitses

[Athena]

One of the highlights for me of going to New Zealand last year, was visiting some of the amazing places they filmed the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit trilogies at. Hobbiton was spectacular (and is still a 'working' village, as well as a major tourist attraction), and we even drove part of the way up Mount Doom (aka the Tongariro National Park). There were, sadly, no giant eagles to save us! 😛

If you've not been to New Zealand, it's a beautiful country and I'd strongly recommend a visit. If you want to see New Zealand from the comfort of your own home, the Lord of the Rings / Hobbit movies are a great example of the amazing vistas that country has to offer. Snow topped mountains, lush green fields, sprawling forests. They truly are movies in a class of their own, with some of the greatest CGI effects of that time (and even now!)

But, what is the best of the best with regards to what Peter Jackson has to offer? Is it Frodo's journey that inspires you, or his uncle Bilbo's story?

You can choose one of:

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

You Shall Not Pass!!.... until you vote above 😛😀

 

[Taake]

Hard to pick between the LOTR ones, I went with Fellowship because well, that one just left such an impact after I first saw it, and it's so cozy to watch. (The nasty hobbitses movies I'd rather not think much about)

 

[Priceless]

Quite enjoyed LOTR, but The Hobbit had enough material for one film and they stretched it to three in what seemed like a money making exercise.

 

[GoSpuffy]

I love anything LOTR. It was my first "fandom" love. Add Star Trek and Buffy and that's my trifecta. I'm going with return of the king for the relationship between Sam and frodo, Faramir (my first crush was on the book character/not so much the movie character with out all those romantic houses of the healing conversations) and Aragon before the gates, rallying the troops and buying Frodo the time he needs.

 

[Fuffy Baith]

I went with Fellowship mostly because it's the one I've seen recently and also I use to own it so I've seen it more. I don't remember the other two movies. And while I liked most of the first Hobbits movie that series just went downhill. I mean off the cliff. Lol

 

[Guy]

I really can't think of any movie that did a better job of adapting a book into a movie than the LoTR trilogy. The LoTR movies are even better than the books, amazingly - way more focused, while still making most of the characters just as complex, and sometimes even MORE complex than in the books.

But the best one?.... Fellowship. Just the most structurally perfect of the movies. It really stands as a standalone story, with a beginning middle and end.

 

[wickedtiger86]

I voted "Return of the King." I think it was the first of the three that I saw in theaters, actually. It was a great experience.

But I should note that my vote is based on the extended editions. I loved everything that they added in this one. Pretty much everything that I'd really been missing from the book in the theatrical was added. So there's a lot of satisfaction involved in my answer. 🙂

 

[Blaze]

Return of the King is my favourite, but it has to be the extended ed!

All of the LoTR are amazing though.

And I'm one of the rare soul that loved the Hobbit. Well the first two that is, the third was abysmal.

 

[GoSpuffy]

The extended editions go without saying!

 

[Mr Trick]

Agredd with @Priceless about the Hobbit. Think it should have been limited to two films at the most. Maybe even just the one.

Its been awhile since I've seen LOTR. I'd say the Fellowship. Its pure storytelling, has some nice performances and has a few darker moments too. The Two Towers is the darkest part I think.

 

[GwenRaiden]

The Fellowship, for having some amazingly beautiful cinematic scenes. Plus, it'll always have a soft spot for me - I was roughly 14 when it came out. I rewatched it so many times on DVD (thanks for buying all the special extended edition DVDs, sis), I remember every single special feature, documentary and commentary from that first film. 😀

The LOTR trilogy in general has helped me through some rough times. I remember about 4 years ago, prior to having a child, I was coming off some serious pain drugs cold turkey, and I watched the whole extended trilogy in one sitting. A 12-hour distraction was a blessing in such dire times!

 

[sk]

Not sure which of the LotR movies I should pick.
The Hobbit movies never really reached the same height of greatness.

Think I'll just go with The Fellowship of the Rings.
Mostly because it was more exciting to watch being the first one and you was not sure what to expect.

The Return of the King is disqualified because of the silly Legolas vs Oliphaunt scene...

/SK

 

[Bluebird]

The LOTR trilogy is one the greatest cinematic experiences I've ever had. The Hobbit films are utterly pointless and scream contractual obligation.

I go with Fellowship as the best - I like the humble beginnings of their journey and slowly meeting these other characters. The pacing and tone is perfect throughout. I love how much effort and passion went into making LOTR. Making chain mail from scratch, having their own blacksmith for the weapons, the countless days of miniature shooting (which makes those effects look 100% better), the decision to build a goddamn Golden Hall on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere NZ. No doubt the actors must have felt spoiled to be working in such beautiful sets.

It's why I'm so annoyed at the last minute thought effort that is The Hobbit movies. No one cared enough. Your eyes can tell the difference between a beautifully made composite shot of a miniature, and complete CGI. I mean LOTR went back to the old style of movie making, even though it would have been possible to cheat it all with CGI. Can you imagine the Golden Hall as a blue screen set? Urgh. The Hobbit films are a travesty. The Star Wars prequels of LOTR.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

I didn't like the Lord of the Rings much.
One thing I did look for was how many sheep were in the fields where the little folk lived, you know, considering it was filmed in New Zealand.

 

[sk]

It's why I'm so annoyed at the last minute thought effort that is The Hobbit movies. No one cared enough. Your eyes can tell the difference between a beautifully made composite shot of a miniature, and complete CGI. I mean LOTR went back to the old style of movie making, even though it would have been possible to cheat it all with CGI. Can you imagine the Golden Hall as a blue screen set? Urgh. The Hobbit films are a travesty. The Star Wars prequels of LOTR.

So true. Was watching the behind the scene stuff of The Desolation of Smaug (I think it is) and they admitted not really having a story finished for the last act and they kinda winged it in front of a green screen mostly and then added a lot of CGI in post.
Stuff like that has a tendency to show no matter how great the CGI stuff are these days.

/SK

 

[Bluebird]

So true. Was watching the behind the scene stuff of The Desolation of Smaug (I think it is) and they admitted not really having a story finished for the last act and they kinda winged it in front of a green screen mostly and then added a lot of CGI in post.
Stuff like that has a tendency to show no matter how great the CGI stuff are these days.

/SK

Yes. Thing is, CGI can add atmosphere and look photo realistic. The dragons in Game of Thrones look pretty good. But honestly, the CGI in The Hobbit movies looks like a cartoon to me. It's so bad. And this is from the people who made Gollum come to life!

I'd imagine the blame lies in the extremely tight schedule, and the contract signed for 3 movies. I suppose you gotta fill up the time somehow. 🙄

 

[Buffy Summers]

I voted Two Towers - I love the Rohan storyline plus the Battle of Helm's Deep is amazing.