Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Edits, The

Episode 1:
This was very well done, I think the biggest problems with it are some jarring audio cuts, like the music changes won't flow naturally. This is a really simple fix by fading the previous scene's audio into the next scene and having that scene's audio fade in. It was only a cople times but it was still a minor complaint.

Overall very entertaining and fun.

Stromboli Bones is bearing the weight of a truly oversized crown here. May he never faulter in his duty as King Unto the Middlearthers. Let no dragons, traitorous kinslayers, elvish lords, nor Followers of Morgoth be victorious against him. For to rest our heads in peace this Battle of Five Edits must be won!!

I'm basing this review on the single film all-in-one file I've just watched. One star is knocked off for a stuttery panning shot across Dale after Thorin's death scene. And others for cutting issues seen in Beorn's house from the pouring of the milk and up to Mirkwood with the Eye of Sauron on the tree. If I rated the individual episodes it might be harder to knock off some stars but who needs all these stars anyway..... I was thinking of starting to do ratings based on a five point scale but then narrative rating here might be seen as insulting..... I guess we should just be thankful for the lack of issues with out fan-edits here, but we must try to offer constructive criticism when we can......

On to the narrative quibbles I'll just say I put quite a few down in a review on Don Kamillo's 'Anti-Cringe' version. Some of these transfer to this version. One though, needs a mention as it is certainly a stumbling block. Its the transition to the final episode. It all gets pretty hectic at this point and with only one lingering shot to pick for the title bloom (completely absent from the all-in-one file - paradoxically) it conflicts with an appropriate ending, and beginning (I'm speaking here with respect to the standard - set in the first four episodes - of an opening few minutes playing out as an intro segmented off by the title bloom leading into the main feature). It is my humble suggestion to circumvent this issues requires the elongation of the shot panning across the host outside Erebor to effect a lingering moment long enough for the TABA title to bloom. This is just after the final departure of Bilbo down the rope. Fitting I'd say. With the previous ending being on the look on Thorin's face with an army of archers all aiming at him - quite a classic expression there - and thusly begining the final episode with Bard's glancing over at Thranduil. Ten stars of enjoyment just for getting the chance to even put this suggestion down....

Much appreciation to all the Reel Bearers!!

Marvelous... stupendous... magnificent! A great idea to combine the creativity of many minds, and congrats for the hard work to make it happen. The theatrical version was a bloated mess; this edit tells a full and satisfying story. I finally understand all of the character motivations, I appreciate more of what Peter Jackson was trying to do in some areas and I was engaged throughout all 5 parts.

When I watch LOTR, it's a perfect ending but I still don't want it to end. I had this same feeling when the Hobbit finished. Well done!

It comes in 5 parts or "episodes", each about an hour long, with the final one being a little over an hour. I have seen the originals/theatrical cuts so I know much of what was cut. Bones was able to cut out all the bloat extremely well and in a completely unnoticeable way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone wanting to watch these films for the first time or as an alternative. The plot makes perfect sense with all the cuts and nothing felt off or strange. Fantastic job all around.

holy smokes, i like the breakdown of this edit, for some reason it felt better in 5 parts. Me and my kids LOVED!!!!! this. I have watched many Hobbit edits, but this was the best one. It was an awesome experience watching this edit, 6 huge thumbs up from me and my 2 kids