And apparently they are awesome. Metro Goldwyn Mayer - again - did some great filming.
When I initially watched the hobbit parts, I was mad about not respecting the books. They kinda did, I know realize. In HD, and in native language these movies are a piece of art.
I had a very strong opinion about how bad they were - but I reconsidered. Even the lead actor Bilbo I opposed - He did a remarkable act. Anyhow. American influence hits hard, once it does. Started at some safari show with a lion named Clarence. Don’t know the name but I loved it - as fair as I can remember.
Love all, but Some.
If they’d just stuck to the book, not shoehorning in subplots and characters for fan service, like Legolas, and made at most 2 films it would have been great. The pacing just isn’t there for 3 films, and it’s clearly obvious.
The Hobbit is shorter than any of the LoTR novels, and the studio demand for a trilogy is the biggest core issue. The base that nearly every issue comes back to.