-Opening scenes at Bag End were well done. The entire interchange went well, even Bilbo's obstinance at having his abode intruded to his being mildly interested in the "quest" and map, to his final signing of the contract.
-The troll scene went badly. The book's dialogue and sequences were abandoned to highlight Bilbo's worth. (A main issue up until the entering of Mirkwood -- of Bilbo basically being a poop-popsicle to "Thorin and Company" was side-stepped by Jackson by tossing in a couple/few more instances of Bilbo's bravery. His only real value was evidenced to the dwarves after leaving Gollom with the ring. My memory of Balin muttering to himself, "Bilbo, Bilbo, Bilbo...." being deeply impressed with the Hobbit sticks about now.) But anyhow, the troll scene sacrifices that instance of Gandalf's prowess to give it instead to Bilbo. And some key lines omitted that I longed to see. It is the first instance we get in "The Hobbit" (and in the entire cosmos if it is the first book we read) of Gandalf's will and wisdom and control of middle earth.
-The tree-top scene was also changed, and the super-orc is put in our faces with a rivalry between him and Thorin that we all know the ending of. The problem is there was no such rivalry in the books at all, but iswydtj (I see what you're doing there Jackson). And I accept it, but I think Tolkien would cringe (he would cringe anyhow). Those of us who have read The Hobbit (many times here), know how this rivalry will end, that never existed, albeit, a final battle between the two does.
-The dialogue with the eagles is entirely tossed.
-The elves are kept quite serious prior to and in Rivendell although Tolkien has them presented almost nonsensical from memory.
-The meeting of the 4: Galadriel, Saruman, Gandalf, Elron all meet to talk. It is decent, but I think draggy to the non-fans. It was violent to me in presentation and I was both shocked and some what delighted that they did it. It was clearly out of Unfinished tales, albeit, 50% invented, and the best part of that meeting left out -- wherein, Gandalf blows smoke rings and passes his hand through one, indicating to Saruman, "You'll never have what you want" -- when Saruman suggests Gandalf is up to something over his relationship with the Hobbits <-- I was sad that Jackson didn't go there. This part in Unfinished Tales is very powerful. A chiding by Saruman at Gandalf over the hobbits and his concern with them, entirely absent.
-Gandalf discussed the 5: I almost came. I cannot believe Jackson did this, and it alone was enough to justify the entire movie. Had he called them: Istari, I would have passed out. He mentions "The 2 Blue wizards," and even uses Tolkien's own words when questioned in an interview, "I do not recall their 'middle earth' names." Gandalf fails to give their 'Western' names (Alatar and Pallando).
-Radagast: I mean fucking wow. Lol! This makes me a Saruman fan. He's hugely in the movie, and 95% fabricated. A sleigh pulled by rabbits -- I mean, gmafb....
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