The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I caught The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Kobe and this marks the first film I've seen in 3D. Probably the last also. At least until the technology improves to a level where I don't need to wear heavy, head-ache inducing glasses over my existing specs. But more than the lack of comfort, I don't think 3D actually brings anything extra to a film - I'm sufficiently 'immeresed'  if the film is good enough. And it darkens the picture somewhat as well.

The HFR (High Frame Rate - 48 frames per second as opposed to the regular 24) was another oddity. Now I'm not sure if this was just the HFR or the 3D/HFR combination but the pictures seemed rather fake looking, especially at the start. Kind of like a presentation of some new ultra-clean medical imaging system or a Terminator show at USJ Osaka. Too sharp for these eyes. They need a bit of grain.

So onto the film itself. Some pundits have derided it for being too long. I disagree with this but they're on the right track. I've no problem with the running time, just with some of the flabby early scenes - specifically the Frodo bit and the introductions of the dwarf gang. I'd happily watch a three hour film if it's edited ruthlessly. The Hobbit sadly isn't, perhaps a drawback of Jackson's faithfulness.

That's not to say it isn't a good film. I reckon it does many things well. Once we're underway on the titular journey, the pace starts to pick up and from here, it's a very satisfying film. It wobbles a bit when the comic relief gets in the way (mountain trolls who sound like Chelsea fans, belching dwarves, etc) but the returnees from The Lord of the Rings trilogy are a welcome fillip.

Performance-wise, Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins stands out. He delivers lines, which could sound full of cheese in another mouth, believably and with some heart. Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian, action, wizard, "You shall not pass!" does as well as you'd expect but the film really picks up a notch when this cute little fella (right) appears. The two-hander (three-hander?) between Gollum and Bilbo is a highlight for me. Oh, and I thought Rupert Everett did a top job of acting all heroic and dwarfly as Thorin....until I realised at the end credits that it wasn't him at all. It was some bloke called Richard Armitage. Phhhmmt.

Not having read the book yet, I'm anticipating some fine shenanigans in the next two films. But I'll be watching with my old friend 2D - you can ram your slow-burning two day headaches, 3D! If I want three dimensions, I'll ride a BMX along a bat infested river or something. Goodnight.

Skyfall

Dodging newspaper and podcast reviews as well as YouTube trailers is fairly easy but it's more difficult to avoid spoilers when a preview is shown ONE MINUTE BEFORE THE FILM STARTS. Twats. Anyway, onto the film itself. Skyfall is Daniel Craig's third Bond effort but not his best - Casino Royale still holds that mantle. It's hard to talk about this movie without bringing the previous two in as comparisons, but I'll try.

I enjoyed Skyfall but rather less than I had imagined I would. I think one of the reasons was the storyline, which seemed a bit old hat. Without giving too much away, the villain (a brilliantly camp Javier Bardem) seems based on Sean Bean's character in Goldeneye. Bondies will get the reference. The M-centric part of the plot worked in a kind of oedipal, 'mummies boys' sort of way, with both Bond and Bardem's Silva hovering around Judi Dench, albeit with different motives. But the MacGuffin that begins the film buggers off halfway through, leaving the emotive, character-based stuff to take hold. There are many nods and winks to Bond of old and even one or two corny lines, which hark back to Roger Moore's stint and these are generally well handled.

The action set pieces are fine (though not as exciting as in Casino Royale or even the plane crash in Quantum of Solace), with a special mention for the Istanbul sequence. The DOP was Roger Deakins and he is as classy as usual here, shooting on digital.




The performances are very good all round with Bardem a stand-out. He has a great introduction monologue, shot in a very teasing way. His scenes with Daniel Craig are creepy and funny and he seems to be playing it just this side of hysterical. Craig is really growing into the suit, grizzling into it sometimes and Judi Dench has a lot more to do here than in previous Bond films but she's an old pro. She handles it all with dignity. Ralph Fiennes could act with only his little fingers if need be, so no worries there. Naomi Harris was the requisite sassy and Ben Whishaw as Q was OK, as was Albert Finney in a minor, but important role. My only gripe was that Berenice Marlohe was so unceremoniously dispatched but this is a script point, not performance issue. I guess M was the "Bond girl" in this one, no room for anyone else.

On a nerdy note, I stumbled upon a blog that talks about the paintings in Skyfall (above) and their significance to the story and characters. Pretty interesting reading.