Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Extended Edition) [Blu-ray]

Update March 2015:Amazon won't let me rate the DOS Extended edition w. collector barrel rider figure separately, so I am editing this review to say I am so happy with the quality of the sculpt of the barrel rider figure included with the Amazon Exclusive that I ordered a second one. IMO it's that good, and I noticed that the few sets available by WETA itself are now gone. Gary Hunt of WETA sculpted this work, and WETA has just released an outstanding sculpt of Faramir by this artist - e.g., at this scale, and for this barrel rider figure, the likeness of Thorin, Bilbo, and Kili is stellar, with unbelievable detail and nice paint job - the wrinkles of wet cloth, the expressions - even the tiny little noses and clothing are screen accurate. There's even water in the barrels. Plus there is kind of a vitality and energy about this little piece - I can only completely agree with YouTube reviewer Mark Rivera on the great quality of this collector piece. At this price point it's an amazing piece of work. I wasn't expecting much as these kind of figures are often blobby and poorly painted, with horrible expressions and so on - like cheap figure toys - but I just love this - pictures don't do it justice. Hate to say it, but I think this little Thorin looks more like Thorin, in its way, than the "real" WETA Thorin figure (different sculptors, so that's probably why). Figure seems to be of highly detailed resin - even the water looks real.There's enough details about the DOS EE scenes that I won't say much, but the EE is WELL WORTH THE PRICE. Just seeing the dwarves LOL scuffle at Laketown was a delight, never mind more Beorn, more Mirkwood! IMO for the DOS EE, the Amazon barrel collector set is the way to go, if you like memorabilia. 10 stars + for the Amazon exclusive barrel rider set!ORIGINAL review:The Hobbit movies vaulted themselves into being my favorite movies of all time - personally love what PJ did, the richness of the costumes, sets, locations, the fleshing out of the original story. Most of all the strength of the performances by a stellar cast of actors, IMO lead by the fierce haunting performance by Richard Armitage as Thorin, and Martin Freeman's stellar Bilbo. So I couldn't wait to get my hands on the DOS BluRay.As far as the BluRay, which is the only thing I've watched in this set so far along with the Special Features, on my Samsung TV couldn't be more delighted with the image quality - IMO the crispness, the nuances of color - of course I enjoyed the film in an IMAX theater (more than once) but it's also been wonderful to see so much detail, up close and personal. My only quibble is I wish like the European disks there would be movie scenes or artwork on the disks themselves - it just adds to the pleasure even if it "doesn't really matter since the disk is in a player". I can only assume the 3D version is equally good, when I have a system to watch it.So for me hands down the BR and the movie gets a 10. Where the collector set falls off, unfortunately, for me, is the *bleep* bookends. Don't get me wrong, as a dwarf/Thorin fan, I REALLY wanted these bookends. A little piece of Erebor for a book lover!.As a collectible, they don't suck, the design of the stone dwarf guards is accurate, and they are some sort of heavy resin plastic. But I ordered 2 different sets, thanks to Amazon's wonderful return policy ended up with three of this "limited edition" and every single one of them had a flaw of some kind. It's not Amazon's fault, as one of the sets was from another company.These are sloppy production flaws, everything from blobby features from someone pulling a statue from a mold too fast, to the axes - which evidently are not part of the casting - just snapping off. One of the statues had a cheek guard snapped off. And I don't think this is the shipping, as the bookends are strapped in and encased in heavy, ecologically incorrect form-fitting plastic plus the whole thing was shipped padded. I think it's Noble co. trying to get away with a "good enough" job (I've bought their stuff before) using an indifferent Made in China! *sigh* manufacturer/packer. The painting/color of the figures is OK, I could see someone repainting for appeal tho - kind of an army khaki or something like that.So much for the hype over a limited edition collectible - minus one, as of course one of my 3 sets is heading back to Amazon, who I hope returns to Noble. Well, OK, when I think about it, guess it's about $25 per figure, which is kind of reasonable. I guess. But this isn't one of the Hobbit pens or keychains (which are fine) or letter openers, I was hoping they'd be really nice. And the bookend details ARE very clean and sharp - as long as more care was used, which it wasn't. Overall unless you are a Hobbit movie junkie like me, I'd say just get the BluRay and save dollars and buy a pricey collectible from the "ultimate source" WETA, who did the costumes and sets for the movies themselves. Or wait for a big sale on this bookend edition.As for Noble company, well, re Hobbit collectibles they seem to do a "good enough" job - for instance I have an Erebor key paperweight, but they used the same mold front and back, so you get mirror reverse runes on one side. And the diamond end of the key is just glued in, e.g. the whole thing wasn't cast, just put together for a "good enough" job. Unless you look hard. But what goes around - I was thinking of buying Thorin's sword "Deathless" which at the moment only Noble makes a replica of. And my bookend experience has decided me in NOT buying any expensive collectible from Noble like a sword replica (as opposed to the wonderful job United Cutlery did with the Orcrist replica). As it is, I'm going to handle my bookends carefully, including regluing the axe that had fallen off in the box. Which it wouldn't have if the manufacturing had been better - a shame.

I'll breakdown this in few parts: What this blu ray package has, the hullabaloo about extended editions and finally about the movie itself: Hope this helps answer any queries you might have about "Hobbit".1. THE BLU RAY PACKAGE: Total 5 discsThe 3D Blu ray (movie in 3D is split across 2 discs)Regular Blu ray (2D): 1 discSpecial features: 1 blu ray disc (Peter Jackson takes you to set (HD; 41 min), Production videos (HD), a brief overview of New-Zealand as middle earth, Trailers and Previews (about 12 min), Music video of song "I see fire", and other stuff.Movie on DVD (1 disc)2. THEATRICAL vs EXTENDED:As with Lord of the Rings, each "Hobbit" will also come in extended editions (where the movie will contain additional footage, AND there will be a heap of extra features. The release dates of those are (previously released and forthcoming):Hobbit 1 (An Unexpected Journey) Theatrical: April 2013Hobbit 1 (An Unexpected Journey) Extended: November 2013Hobbit 2 (Desolation of Smaug) Theatrical: April 2014 (THIS IS THE RECENT RELEASE FOR WHICH I AM WRITING THE REVIEW)Hobbit 2 (Desolation of Smaug) Extended: November 2014Hobbit 3: To be Announced. Most likely the theatrical blu ray will be released in April 2015! Not sure about extended release.Should I buy this or wait till November 2014?Well, if you love the movie and like to see more of it, and more importantly, if you love to see hours of behind the scenes, production details, etc, then wait till November 2014. If you are happy with this regular version of the movie and don't want too many behind the scenes, then go for this.3. THE MOVIEFirst thing first. The movie DOES NOT follow the book page-by-page. Jackson have made some radical changes in the story, and these differences are more prominent in Hobbit 2 (Desolation of the Smaug) than in Hobbit 1. I am sure you have got an fair idea of these, however, I read many reviews and the more it is criticized, the more confusing it can get to the reader. Here I have tried to summarize those differences. Hope this helps:1. ORCS: This is the single biggest addition to the story, which alters from the book. Orcs don't exist in book, and hence, wherever they are in the movie, it is an addition/change. This itself will count a big change.2. MIRKWOOD: This part has been cut short, whereas in the book it's more elaborate.3. LEGOLAS & TAURIEL: They don't exist in book, so does everything they do in the movie.4. DWARVES ENTRY INTO LAKE-TOWN: I won't spoil the details, but Bard doesn't play a role in this (as depicted in film).5. DWARVES ENTRY INTO THE MOUNTAIN: Durin's day, Appearance of the door, etc is changed.6. SMAUG'S FINAL ACTION SCENE: Doesn't exist in book.7. NECROMANCER & RADAGAST: Have only a mention in book. (Re: Necromancer, the book DOES say in the end that Gandalf drove Necromancer away as an explanation of his absence. So, I feel this is not truly an addition. Simply an expansion)There. That would be all of it. I am pretty sure fans of the book have much more to say (and there are many who have already assessed this well), but in my opinion, the above summary contains all those details (as sub-topics). Nevertheless, the books vs. movie disparities end here.BOOK vs. MOVIE Summary:Hobbit 2 takes multiple liberties from the actual story. However, all those changes do one thing in common: ADD ACTION. How this affects you? Well, If you already know the book, and you like the on-screen Hobbit to be same as book's, you might be disappointed.However, if you watch the movie with a blank slate, then it is a THRILL RIDE. I for one watched the movie without getting into the book and I loved it. I didn't think anything was out of place. The story has a very consistent flow and it is fun to watch.The book is a very simple, brilliantly written classic story, whereas the movie "Hobbit" is far grandeur. It's huge, and encompasses many things beyond what is in the book.Prequel of LOTR?Finally, as I assess, I feel Peter Jackson has presented "Hobbit" not just as a book adaptation, but it is more focused as a "prequel of LOTR". There are few reasons to conclude this way:a) The RING: In the book, The Ring is merely a simple magical ring that makes folks invisible. However, the movie puts serious emphasis on it. The ring has been in focus, and there are scenes where it has a treacherous effect on Bilbo.b) Galadriel, Saruman: There is a scene (Hobbit 1) where these sit together and discuss about Sauron being vanquished, etc. The book has no reference to Sauron (LOTR was written after Hobbit's success).c) Orcs, Necromancer: They exist in movie as servants to the "Necromancer" (Depicted as Sauron, without his full strength). This probably is an attempt to show that Sauron (before LOTR happened), was trying to make a comeback. Orcs exist as Sauron's army. It all fits.So, Hobbit, can be viewed as a trilogy on its own, but it could be best viewed as a marathon (Hobbit 1, 2, 3 followed by LOTR trilogy). However, this will hold true only after the final Hobbit movie is released.I like to stay in the Middle earth created by Jackson, and I love the way he arranges the action scene (LOTR, King Kong, etc.). Some deem the action in "Hobbit 2" as video-gamish. For me, even if some sequences defy few basic rules of physics, it is thrilling to see them on-screen (The Barrel escape, Smaug's final act). Hence, I wholeheartedly recommend this. If for nothing else, at least for the magnificent "Smaug", one hell-of-a-kind, stupendous dragon ever made on sceen!In short, if you like both book and film, then you have two versions of the same story to enjoy. Want simple and unadulterated fun? Read BOOK. Want spectacular visuals, thrilling action scenes and additional bonus material? Go for the MOVIE. I personally enjoy both rather than spending time in comparing them.Thanks for reading!

Easy to rent. Great movie for 14 years and older.

Execelente, ,muy buena calidad losn3 discos,y adicional vienen unas postales de algunos de los personajes 👍😃

Produit souhaité, Produit reçu.

Ho ricevuto oggi stesso il cofanetto. La confezione è semplicemente "ricca" sotto ogni punto di vista.All'interno i bluray sono ben cinque, la versione 3D è divisa tra due dischi, purtroppo occorre cambiare disco per vedere la seconda parte del film.Per ora ho semplicemente valutato la qualità del prodotto 3D.Il video 3D è eccellente. Effetto 3D molto marcato e ben realizzato, dettagli, apertura delle luce, colori e rumore video sulle ombre sono da considerarsi più che ottimi.Video davvero di livello elevato (finalmente!)Purtroppo la qualità audio è molto meno apprezzabile.L'equalizzazione esalta i medi e rende tutta la gamma media (non solo le voce) praticamente quasi fastidiosa.Occorre darci dentro d'equalizzazione per "addomesticarlo".In compenso la dinamica è molto elevata, i sub entrano in funzione spesso supportando "poderosamente" l'immagine sonora.Valuterò in seguito la qualità della versione 2D, confrontandola con la versione 2D 1080p e con quella 4K (possiedo la trilogia 4K).Test effettuato con proiettore D-Ila JVC DLA-NZ8, schermo di 2,7 metri di base, amplificazione Krell Classe A, preampli-processore EAD Theatermaster 8800pro, finale per i sub (due da 18') Crown 1300W a ponte.

EinführungDer sogenannte Extended Cut hat sich in den vergangenen 10 Jahren für Filmstudios zu einem lukrativen Geschäft entwickelt. Da es sich hier selten um einen echten Director's Cut handelt, fügen die verantwortlichen Studios meistens ohne den Willen des Regisseurs wahllos neue Szenen in die jeweiligen Filme ein. In seltenen Fällen gibt es aber auch sinnvolle Änderungen und der Regisseur kann wieder die Szenen einfügen, die aufgrund des Zeitmangels oder zur Schonung der Altersfreigabe entfernt werden mussten. Das dies aber auch ein absoluter Reinfall werden kann sieht man an der jetzt kommenden Langfassung zu "The Expendables 3". Ein Film der für ein jugendliches Publikum entwickelt wurde, der wird auch in seiner Langfassung durch ein paar digital eingefügte Blutspritzer kein Film für Erwachsene.Doch zurück nach Mittelerde. Der Extended Trend startete damals mit Peter Jackson und seiner Ring-Trilogie und jede einzelne Extended Version seiner drei Filme war ein Genuss und erweiterte den Film nicht nur auf sinnvolle art und weise, auch das üppige Bonusmaterial machte die Langfassungen zur bevorzugten Fassung für die Fans. Und für Peter Jackson sind die Langfassungen, die er eigens mit seinem Team kreiert hat, seine Wunschfassungen.Beim Hobbit sollte sich das alles wiederholen, und zu Teil 1 wurde, wie erwartet, knapp 1 Jahr nach der Kinopremiere, eine Extended Fassung in den Handel geschickt. Ursprünglich sollten es 25 Minuten mehr Inhalt werden, am Ende waren es nur 14. Und erstmals wurden Stimmen lauter, dass ein bereits relativ kompletter Film nur noch weiter in die Länge gezogen wurde. Und es stimmt, wirklich viel zur Handlung trugen die neuen Szenen beim Hobbit nicht bei, was einfach daran lag das der Film bereits in der Kinofassung sehr umfangreich umgesetzt wurde. Ein Effekt wie beim Herr der Ringe blieb zwar aus, dennoch stellen die Erweiterungen und kleinen Umschnitte die bessere Fassung dar und somit ist der Extended Cut der Kinofassung noch immer leicht überlegen (alleine was das umfangreiche Bonusmaterial und Hintergrundwissen angeht werden Mittlerde Fans und Sammler nicht um diese Version herumkommen).Der Hobbit: Smaus Einöde Extended Edition:Nun aber zum zweiten Hobbit Abenteuer. War der Kinofilm bereits seinem Vorgänger in vielen Punkten deutlich überlegen und machte einen ziemlich guten Job als Fortsetzung, ist besonders den Fans des Buches schnell aufgefallen, dass immer noch etliche Inhalte fehlten oder aber relativ abgehackt im Film vorkommen. Besonders unter den Kürzungen mussten die Szenen mit Beorn und die Verwirrung der Gruppe im Düsterwald leiden. Peter Jackson kündigte für den Extended Cut über 20 Minuten neues Filmmaterial an, und am Ende wurden es sogar knapp 26 Minuten. Und so viel ist sicher, jede einzelne Minute ist für den Film unglaublich wertvoll. Denn im Gegensatz zum Extended Cut des Vorgängers sind die Erweiterungen bei Smaugs Einöde nicht kosmetischer Natur, sondern sie erweitern den Film sinnvoll, und viele Szenen, die man in der Kinofassung noch vermisste, wurden größtenteils in den Extended Cut nun eingebaut.Bereits zu Beginn des Filmes wurde die Unterhaltung zwischen Thorin und Gandalf erweitert. Gleichzeitig war diese erweiterte Unterhaltung auch der Auftakt zum neuen Inhalt rund um Thorins Vater Thrain und Gandalfs Infiltration in Dol Guldur.Weiter geht es mit den Szenen in Beorns Haus. Eine große Enttäuschung in der Kinofassung, Beorn, der riesige Hautwechsler, kam einfach zu kurz. Wie bereits in "Die Rückkehr des Königs", wo Jackson den kompletten Part mit Saruman aus dem Film geschnitten hat, so hatte er es ähnlich bei den Szenen mit Beorn in Smaugs Einöde getan. Im Extended Cut wurde besonders die witzige Einführung von Beorn aus dem Buch, beinahe originalgetreu, in den Film eingefügt. Dies ist nur ein kleiner Teil der Szenen mit Beorn, die für diese Fassung erweitert wurden.Auch der Aufenthalt in Düsterwald wurde erheblich erweitert. Die Verwirrung und Ratlosigkeit von Bilbo und den Zwergen ging in der Kinofassung komplett unter. Peter Jackson erweiterte die Odyssee im Düsterwald und fügte etliche surreale Szenen hinzu, die sich teils am Buch anlehnen, teils aber auch völlig neue Wege einschlagen, aber noch immer die Atmosphäre aus jenen Momenten im Buch einfängt. Wenn man die Kinofassung als direkten Vergleich hat, werden einem die Schnitte sofort auffallen.Und so ziehen sich die neuen Szenen durch den kompletten Film. Es gibt kleinere Szenen die hinzugefügt wurden, aber auch komplette Abschnitte, wie die Szenen mit Beorn oder Gandalfs Wiedersehen mit Thorins Vater Thrain in Dol Guldur, die hinzugefügt wurden. Es wurden einige Logiklöcher gestopft und zahlreiche Szenen wurden leicht verändert/umgeschnitten. All diese kleinen und großen Änderungen machen den Extended Cut zu Smaugs Einöde zu der zu bevorzugenden Version des Filmes. Beinahe alles, was in der Kinofassung als vermisst gemeldet wurde, wurde nun wieder in den Film eingefügt. Damit hat Peter Jackson sein Versprechen gehalten und macht die kleine Ernüchterung, die es zur Extended Fassung zum ersten Teil gab, komplett vergessen.Natürlich gibt es noch zahlreiche weitere Szenen auf die ich nicht eingegangen bin. Jeder Mittelerde Fan darf sich diese Fassung aber nicht entgehen lassen. Das gilt besonders für die Leute, die von der Kinofassung enttäuscht waren. Bei über 185 Minuten ist dieser Film genau das richtige für die kalten Winterwochenenden.Anzumerken wäre noch: Wie bei allen anderen Extended Cuts von Jackson gibt es wieder Stundenweise Bonusmaterial, welches auf zwei weiteren Blu-ray Discs aufgeteilt wurde.Bereits jetzt wurde eine ebenfalls, rund 25 minütige Extended Edition zum dritten und finalen Hobbit Film angekündigt (Die Schlacht der Fünf Heere), der am 10. Dezember in den deutschen Kinos anlaufen wird und mit rund 144 Minuten in seiner Kinofassung den Platz für das bisher kürzeste Abenteuer in Mittelerde belegt.

Sin meterme en temas de subtítulos, sonido y similares, cosas que ya han aclarado perfectamente otros usuarios, simplemente decir que ésta edición en 3D de la segunda parte de la trilogía del Hobbit, trae 4 discos divididos de esta manera: 2 para la película en 3D, uno para la película en 2D y otro de extras. Todo ello en blu-ray.La adquirí gracias a un descuento y yo estoy muy satisfecho, pues se quedó en unos 20 euros. Imagen de 10, sonido competente, extras interesantes aunque un poco cortos, una carátula personalizada en el personaje de Thorin que evita temas polémicos de carátulas dobles y un 3D bastante atractivo, tanto en lo que se refiere a profundidad, cómo en lo que se refiere a objetos o bichos que saltan a la cara. En lo que respecta a trama, argumento, y el tema de dividir un libro mínimo en tres partes, pues no entro, porque personalmente a mi me está gustando esta versión (que no adaptación fiel) del Hobbit que está realizando Peter Jackson. Pura película de aventuras, con sus problemas de ritmo y duración, pero que solo por ese esfuerzo de llevarnos a la Tierra Media ya merece la pena darle una oportunidad.Y aunque no lo digo muy a menudo, un 10 para Amazon, en todos los sentidos.