Review Detail

This one was great and surprising.

Video and audio quality is great and everything you expect from a Hobbit edit is there.

But first I was surprised how much this is closer to the LOTR feel, especially evident in how the Bag End feast was edited with its focus on food, sharp cuts, and audio overlap as the scene ends.

Then, the removal of the eagle escape was an unexpected stroke of genius I didn't know I needed. When the story is presented in one movie the eagles break the flow and introduce plot holes. This change fixes that and keeps the story going and pressure on.

The only bad cut I noticed was the Goblin King. His first scene is too close and sudden, it's missing at least an establishing shot. Other than that, the shield wall jump and ice jump were left in, which I only mention because I've seen an edit where that is removed (Stromboli). And no subtitles, for those who need them.

All in all, a great one-movie Hobbit experience.