So as the teaser indicates I watched this film in all of it glory in XD digital, 3D and with the new Atmos sound.
First things first.
I read some of the early reviews and the only thing I can say is that they must be showing a different film internationally.
Is the film 3 hours long? NO IT IS NOT - Jackson learned his lesson from King Kong. No matter how good it is no one wants to spend 3 hours in the theater.
The film is at best 2:40 almost on the nose. My film started at Noon 20 mins of previews and introducing the XD and 3D modes, and then the film started. Checked my phone, it was 12:23. The film ended and I was out the door at 3:00 on the nose. I did not stay for credits.
Does the HFR make you sick? Again NO. It does take a little getting used to, the first action sequences use a lot of first person camera angles and moves a little herky jerky. I could see how some may get a little motion sickness. Other than that The HFR is really nice actually. crisp clean images. I'm a fan.
Does the HFR make things like sets and scenery look fake? I rewatched the first trilogy and the sets and scenery looked VERY fake there at normal frame rate. New tech and the HFR really adds to the experience. The sets looked "appropriate". What I mean is that they didn't look "fake" they just looked right. Perhaps "film appropriate". One thing that will have to be worked on in the future with the HFR is some of the CGI rendering. There are a few instances where the CGI didn't keep up with the Frame rates and looked fake, or just bad...well not great. I can think of a few examples where the CGI looked like it was the old transposed effect.
Overall the HFR is fantastic. You really see everything. Someone stated it was like watching theater instead of a movie. Or that it's so clear if HD was like looking through at window...HFR doesn't have the glass. This is true to an extent. There is a sense of REALNESS, especially in the first person view. I thought it was great and hope more films are made this way. Caveat is that directors will have to be more created and careful with their shots.
The NEW ATMOS SOUND system is PRETTY COOL. In fact there was a part where the group was sleeping by the fire...and I swear I kept looking around to see who had fallen asleep and was snoring next to me. It isolates and positions sound like nothing before it. Crispnesss and directionality make some things feel like they are right next to you and others are far away.
As for the movie. Again not 3hrs long. Some have complained about the prologue being too long, and unnecessary. I was watching and waiting for it. I guess I missed it, of wasn't bothered by the first sequences. I thought it started excellent. If gives a nice point of reference. Essentially, I think the idea is that YOU SHOULD WANT TO WATCH the LOTR trilogy before the Hobbit films, the start of this films hopes that you do.
A more lighthearted film that is still familiar, it feels like a time before LOTR. The Dwarves are great and add to the lightheartedness without dumbing it down. The pace of the film seems fast, EVEN during the "Talky talky" parts. These parts were necessary and intriguing and suspenseful in a way that sets the foundation for what's ahead.
There is one part of the film that feels like filler: When the group enters the mountain pass. This section seemed random.
As to taking a tip or learning a lesson from George Lucas...
Jackson has successfully done what Lucas did not. That is make a prequel to an epic trilogy in a way that doesn't alienate die hard fans and yet welcomes a new and younger audience. This film actually had "characters" Not sure that they will be memorable but characters all the same. The standout is still Golem. The forgettable one(s) - well I'll just say think "Gungans". When you see it you'll know what I mean.
Overall I thought this film was VERY good. A VERY good start to something more. In fact I remember watching the Hobbit cartoon as a kid and thinking "that's it". This does the same thing and I really hope it opens up in the next films. (which I think it will).
SEE THIS MOVIE