Here's a (positive) letter I am writing to PJ
Dear Jackson and Co.
I would first like to say that this letter is not only for you, but for Phillipa, Fran, and everybody who has worked on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
I was 11 the first time I saw Fellowship of the Ring. My dad, his girlfriend and I were going to see Snow Dogs, (you know, that movie with Cuba Gooding Jr), and remarkably it was sold out. The very next thing that was playing was Fellowship, we were told it was an action/adventure movie, so we blindly decided to see what it was like.
I had never been so mystified by a movie at that time nor have I since. I enjoyed every single minute of that movie and hardly noticed a 3 hour run time, even as a young child with attention issues. The orcs, the music, the characters, the overall epic scope. I knew that this was my favorite movie of all time from the beginning. I was speechless when it ended. My dad jokingly said something like “oh so we don’t get to see what happens to the ring?” when it was over, but I did not laugh. He liked the movie just fine, but had no idea what kind of experience I just had.
I bought the first book the following week and read through it, but had a lot of trouble following it. Nevertheless, I read on because I loved the story so much and wanted to fully understand it. I finished Fellowship, not taking much from it because of my distractibility, but using your film to help me through it. I was told by a teacher The Hobbit would be much easier, and she was of course right. I read it over and over and dreamed for the day the movie would come out. But that part comes later….
Over the next few years of my adolescence I anticipated each movie, watched the extended editions weekly (I am not even kidding. I’ve seen it so much I can repeat all 3 movies verbatim), watched all the behind the scenes footage, and even finished reading the trilogy before Return of the King came out. My love for these movies caused teasing from my Dad, calling me Da-frodo (Dakota is my name) and hearing the occasional immature gay joke about Sam and Frodo. I remember being so upset when he wouldn’t take me to the theater to see Return of the King again, I even offered to pay for gas and tickets with my allowance. He didn’t understand that these movies and books were helping me academically, creatively and socially with my friends who also shared my passion. Through High School and College, I continued to watch the movies once, sometimes twice a year and read everything Tolkien once a year. Alone, with friends and with loved ones.
When I first heard The Hobbit was in production I was excited but scared, partially because of my love and my sometimes cynic views. Rumors began to spread in the east that it would be a 2 part film, the first being The Hobbit, the second being an original film to connect to Lord of the Rings (although I’m not sure it was ever true). Rumors of Mr. Del Toro Directing surfaced too, and while I love his movies, I hoped you would be the one to direct The Hobbit. For tonal consistency and because I have seen all your movies, love your range of genre and how you influence Middle-Earth with your style. I knew the trio of talent would be back to write, so I was still hesitant but extremely hopeful. When you were announced as the Director, and I found out the two movies would just be The Hobbit, I was so happy. My faith in these films had tripled and I couldn’t wait.
The trailer came out and it blew me away. It blew everyone away, even the haters. You started posting video blogs and they were making me more and more excited. After seeing the Appendices for Rings I knew the spirit of the New Zealand crew was back and that this will be great. It was announced that there would be 3 films and while many complained, I was really excited about that. Not only did I think that 5 total films was kinda odd, but I knew from Two Towers that you guys can adapt a story and extended it very well. Plus we get another Hobbit movie!
But as December came closer and closer, I was again scared. I couldn’t help but worry that I won’t like it. In my twenties, I really started losing my interest in modern movies and was sticking with the classics. I started seeing all the formulas and clichés, starting to have higher standards in what I like. The marvel movies had begun to take off and I dislike all of them. I was worried that no matter the quality of the film, my cynical attitude would go into overdrive.
Opening day came and my partner, roommate, friend and I went to see the earliest possible show at the smaller 35mm only theater no one goes to. Midnight showings are too loud, and I did not want to be in a packed multiplex theater the first time I see it. I wanted to focus on the dialogue and the story without people reacting all around me. I will never forget this day nor any first viewing of the Middle-Earth movies…
The film started and even simple things like seeing the golden bronze Wingnut caption made me so happy. I appreciate tiny consistent details like that. The Hobbit title was shown with the Shire theme and I was basically sold. I will admit when Ian Holm started narrating my heart sank a bit in worry… However when the Erebor Prologue began, all of my worries disappeared. I knew that this was going to be another masterpiece. You set the stage and established the most important parts of the story. You kept Smaug hidden not only for suspense, but to perfect his design. The Dwarves had different characters and were perfect. Plot points and motivations glossed over in the book were fleshed out, Dol Guldur was something I was not expecting and left me astounded. I loved the inclusion of Radagast, his portrayal, the White Councel, Goblin Town, riddles in the dark with no interrupting cuts (except the film cut out during this scene the first time I saw it. It started back up and we were given free ticket passes. I saw An Unexpected Journey again). Each chapter was given liberal amounts of screen time and it was all magnificent. I was so thankful to have finally seen the day when The Hobbit came to the screen and was completely satisfied with it.
The Desolation of Smaug was also fantastic. I saw it 4 times in theaters, all 2D digital showings. I don’t like 3D films to be honest and prefer the classic projection. However, all of your 3D shots were very well integrated. They were never obnoxious or painfully obvious like in Friday the 13th Part III. I will admit I regret never seeing any Hobbit films in 3D just because I missed out on the 48fps and the 2:1 aspect ratio. I applauded you for that feat in movie history and regret not having been a part of it. Anyhow, Desolation is my favorite of all 3 films. The introduction was not an action scene but an excellent plot driven encounter from the appendices. Beorn was wonderful. Mirkwood forest was exactly as I always dreamed it would be. You introduced the Legolas, Tauriel and the elves better than the book, crafted excellent character development and plot with how the spiders are affecting their land. Laketown could not have been better and you transformed Bard into a very likeable and grounded character. The entire sequence with Smaug was perfect. Absolutely perfect. I didn’t like the climax upon first viewing, but the 2nd time I realized it is actually a very logical attack that the Dwarves would do. I then also realized that they never had a plan at all in the book! Guess they just thought Gandalf would do it. I was one of the few people I know who not only saw the cliffhanger coming, but loved it. Immediately after it was over I took a deep breath and said to my friend “that was perfect”. Some guy next to me said “no the ending was stupid. Now we have to wait a year to see Smaug attack the city.” I laughed and replied “hell yea we do and it’s going to be great when it happens”. Anytime people complained about it I explained that if Smaug was killed at the end, people who are unfamiliar with the book would not understand the need for another movie. People like my Dad would say “we saw the dragon die, what else is could happen? What’s the point of a 3rd movie?” Not only that, but to me Smaug had to be in all 3 movies.
The Battle of the Five Armies was a great conclusion to the trilogy and flows into Lord of the Rings very well. Yes I was one of those people screaming online that it should still be called There and Back Again, but the moment I saw that title card in front of Erebor, I knew you had made the right decision. You captured the tonal shift of the third part of The Hobbit incredibly well, even the music over the first title card had to be different! (By the way, the title cards are one of my favorite things in the films. Many moviegoers don’t care or pay much attention to them, but the way they were presented shows how much you care about the story.) One of the most unique things about this movie is that it is the only middle-earth movie where the main characters are not traveling. We still see a lot of different places, but there isn’t a sense of journey or a quest. It is just a great political struggle between the different peoples of middle-earth after the death of an important figure. I would say the only disappointment I experienced was that Tauriel didn’t die while trying to finish off Bolg, and even potentially kill him. I do understand that Legolas had to finish what he started though, and it was a battle of the sons. I still kinda wish Tauriel had fallen off the cliff and Legolas fought with this in mind. However, Tauriel needed to experience a loss, but it would have been very interesting if her and Kili both died separate from one another. Then again, many people in the audience wouldn’t feel resolution with their story if that happened. I love Tauriel by the way and I mean her death to be a heroic loss. I think my one wish would be for the end of the movie to have a bit more closure with Bard, Radagast, Beorn, Dain and had the troll cave scene. However after so many people whined over and over about “too many endings” in Return of the King I can completely see why you didn’t do this, and the end is fine just the way it is. It’s not that big of a deal at all though, and who the hell am I to suggest what should be changed?
I just wanted to write to you and personally tell you my experience and appreciation with these films, The Hobbit in particular, the old-fashioned way and not through twitter or facebook. The internet now allows everyone to loudly speak their opinions and I thought these films got too much negative attention from my generation. People were quick to compare them to the Star Wars Prequels, which they aren’t at all. Others just always complained about three movies, or that they are too long. The worst complaint being that these films were nothing more than a cash grab, which is just ridiculous. I honestly now see The Hobbit films as something just for the Middle-Earth fans, and not for a casual audience. From the moment this was announced I always said that I would be disappointed if they weren’t pushing 3 hours, and I am proud to have a 9 hour Hobbit saga. Many people wanted a 2 and a half hour cluster-*beep* of a movie, rather than a well-paced trilogy. Marvel movies are what most internet geeks are into (by the way, gotta love the irony that the same people complaining about 3 Hobbit movies, are ok with 28 of the same superhero movies) and fantasy is once again a unicorn in mainstream cinema. Just know that there are still the geeks who play D and D that absolutely love your movies.
The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit will always be my favorite film saga. All six together are my favorite movie of all time. Tarantino and Kubrick may be my favorite directors, but I will take your movies over theirs any day. Tolkien’s first tale, The Hobbit, deserved the royal treatment and you gave us that better than anyone could. I honestly would take The Lord of the Rings trilogy over the original Star Wars trilogy. I can watch them over and over and love them more and more each time. They are the most entertaining films I have seen, combining fantasy, action, drama, comedy, romance and even horror to tell a story that has been unfolding for 80 years. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for making them. You are one of my favorite directors, keep bringing us great movies and give my love to everyone in New Zealand who took part in this franchise.
Love from the States
P.S
Any chance we could see another horror movie from you???