Gollum in Wellington
I sloped off mid-morning to indulge in a sit in the dark for the first installment of The Hobbit. It was wonderful in a Lord of the Rings type of way. The similarities in story and style are understandable – same author (Tolkien), same film-maker (Peter Jackson and crew), same country (NZ looking wonderful though often foreboding), same music sometimes as well.
But well done it is and I am committed to seeing the trilogy through.
Highlights: Gollum – what a treasure of torn and tortured humanity he is; Martin Short Freeman as Bilbo – inspirational and adds some depth and humility that Elijah Wood’s Frodo never managed in LTR; NZ – rich landscapes and wonderful cinematography as we expect; Peter Jackson – nice touches – the movement of moths in and out of the sleeping dwarf were just what we like about you; Barry Humphries in his best role yet; Neil Finn’s closing track – superb as always; and a few scenes in particular – dwarves on a spit, some wonderful flight sequences, and the assortment of horrible monsters that lurk beneath… nice!
seeing and believing 