Alright, I so recently re-read The Hobbit, and then I went and saw The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. I love both the movie and the book, but which is better? I shall reveal my opinion at the end of the post.
The Book:
The Hobbit is a children’s story, written by J.R.R Tolkien in the mid 1930’s. It’s based around a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who is just like any other of his kind; very reserved and simple. Though, that changes one day when a Wizard named Gandalf runs into him, seeking someone to go on an adventure. Now, Bilbo refused, as almost all Hobbits would, but soon finds himself set out on horseback (well, ‘ponyback,’ you could say), along with 14 other companions, and the adventure begins!
This story is fun and light, though hard to read, for it is written in an old-ish writing style. It’s a bit slow to actually read, but it’s terribly witty and keeps you wanting to keep going.
I found the plot very simple, yet full of everything a good book really needs. There were twists and turns, action, betrayals, death, stunts, humor, and I daresay, adventure. Though, I think the author skipped out on some important parts by not adding more detail, he made up for it in other things.
The characters were fantastic. All of them were very unique and easy to love and get along with. Bilbo, being the main one, was very strict and closed-in at the beginning; he really grew throughout the book. He was prone to complaining, but he was brave and kept everyone else hopeful. Gandalf was just great. He was funny and not afraid of much, and loved to disappear, but always showed up just in the nick of time. Thorin, the Dwarf leader of the adventure, was very driven and a really rounded character. There were also 12 other Dwarves; Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori, Gloin, Oin, Kili, and Fili. You really don’t get one-on-one time with them, but what you do read about them, really lets you get to know, and love, them.
There were also a lot of enemies, mostly Goblins and Elves, but you get to know their reasons and their background, and they turns out to be really good antagonists.
This book really is wonderful, and I believe it to be one of those books that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. As well as the sequel series/book,
The Lord of the Rings.
The Movie:
The Hobbit movie is actually made up into three parts;
An Unexpected Journey, Desolation of Smaug, and
There and Back Again. The first part came out last year, but the second part
was just released December 13
th.
An Unexpected Journey focuses on about the first 6 chapters of the book. Therefore, you get to know most of the characters, as well as how the story starts. Though, the movie added loads more plot and storyline than the book had, but not so much that it completely changes the story. This just made the movie more amazing, though. There was so much more action than was in the book.
Now,
The Desolation of Smaug is a little more complicated than the first.
This movie continues on from the first, and it is around chapters 7-14 in the book. While the movie is certainly amazing, it changes a lot of story from the book. There are so many more characters, backgrounds, and depth added, mainly to make the movie more interesting and to add length to it.
So, it does almost create its own little world and story. But it’s still amazing. The whole movie is filled with action and adventure. You’re on the edge of your seat the whole entire time, just waiting to see what happens next, since you really can’t go by the book on a lot of things. There is even a little romance added to it, which appeals to a larger audience.
The actors are amazing, and play their part almost to perfect. Martin Freeman plays Bilbo, and he does a fine job of it by really putting his emotions into his character. Ian McKellen plays Gandalf, but it isn’t the first time. He also plays the Wizard in all three
The Lord of the Rings movies, and he is sort of known as a legend for playing the part so well. He is funny and just particularly great to watch. Orlando Bloom plays Legolas, who is also an amazing character from
The Lord of the Rings. He is really captivating to watch because of his stunts, emotions, and looks. Evangeline Lily is also introduced, and she plays an elf named Tauriel. She beautiful, and really acts her part amazingly. There were so many more great actors, and all of them were fantastic to watch.
Peter Jackson is the director of these films, and he is quite well-known. He also directs
The Lord of the Rings movies. All of these films are top in the box office, for good reasons. He really makes his movies pop with phenomenal graphics, and just the beauty and realism of the scenes and people.
The first two parts of
The Hobbit are truly fantastic, and I highly suggest you watch them, as well as
all of
The Lord of the Rings movies.
VERDICT: BOTH.
I truly love both of them, and I think everyone should read the book and watch the movies.
~Laura
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