Review Detail

I'm just going to come out and say it: this was the Hobbit movie I wanted the first time around. Having grown up with the material, the Jackson films and the books, the Hobbit was one of the biggest letdowns of my movie-going life. Then along comes this cut. Most of the edits aren't even noticeable unless you're familiar with the scene. Even then, it was interesting to see a new spin on things and new life breathed into them. Because all the needless fat and pointless additions have been stripped, the acting and craftsmanship of the original cuts shine like never before. I was impressed by the VFX to patch certain scenes, such as removing Bard's son from the climactic arrow-shooting scene. I say do yourself a favor and watch this version.