The latest installment of Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit picks up immediately where the first one left off and improves on its predecessor in many ways. Those familiar with the release pattern of the previous film know that an extended edition with copious extras is mere months away. Those familiar with the film’s production history know that the film is a “killer app” for 3D exhibition. That being established, users interested in the original theatrical cut who either dislike or have no access to 3D home exhibition equipment are people too, so let’s explore what this release has to offer them.
Studio: Warner Brothers
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution and Encode: 1080P/AVC
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish 5.1 DD, French 5.1 DD
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 Hr. 41 Min.
Package Includes: Blu-ray, DVD, UltraViolet
Standard size Blu-ray case with double hub spindle on one side to accommodate three discs with the two Blu-rays stacked. Hard case wrapped in a foil-enhanced cardboard slipcoverDisc Type: BD50 (dual layer), BD25 (single layer), DVD-9 (dual layer)
Region: A, 1
Release Date: 04/08/2014
MSRP: $35.99
The Production Rating: 4.5/5
"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" Trailers
"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" TV Spots
Video Rating: 4.5/5 3D Rating: NA
Audio Rating: 4/5
Special Features Rating: 3.5/5
- In the Company of The Hobbit (18:10) Offers up a glimpse at what goes on on a daily basis during the production of the film via a series of clips of activities occuring around the clock during production days. On-camera comments are provided by Brown, 2nd 2nd Assistant Director Byron Darling, Art director Brad Mill, Production Designer Dan Hennah, Senior Prosthetic Makeup Artist Katy Fray, Kircher, Stephen Frey (“Master of Lake-town”), McTavish, Bloom, Lee Pace (“Thranduil”), Persbrandt, Brophy, O’Gorman, Hadlow, Script Supervisor Victoria Sullivan, Jackson, Picture Double Simon Smith, Picture Double Hayden Weal, Key Grip Tony Keddy, Gaffer Reg Garside, Dolly Grip Steve Shaw, Conceptual Designer Alan Lee, Conceptual Designer John Howe, Weta Workshop Creative Director Richard Taylor, Ben Mitchell (“Narzug”), Movement Choreographer Terry Notary, Editor Jabez Olssen, Evans, Second Unit Director Andy Serkis, Assistant Stunt Coordinator Augie Davis, Brown, Caterer Jessie Malchik, Caterer Zach Farnes, New Zealand Casting Director Miranda Rivers, and Grip Conrad Hawkins.
- All in a Day’s Work (22:25) Composites a different series of daily events for more glimpses behind the scenes of ’round the clock activities during the film’s production. On-camera comments are provided by Evans, Hambleton, Hunter, Stunt Performer Brett Sheerin, Producer Zane Weiner, Jackson, Visual Effect Supervisor Eric Sandon, Serkis, 3D Camera Supervisor Gareth Daley, Lead Data Wrangler, Siobhan Durkin, Craft Sevice Samuel Page, Taylor, Weta Workshop Supervisor Rob Gillies, Weta Workshop Technician John Harding, Stunt Coordinator Glenn Boswell, John Bell (“Bain”), Stunt Performer Patrick Morrison, Assistant Stunt Coordinator Tim Wong, Stunt Performer Tom Cotton, Unit Production Manager Brigitte Yorke, 2nd Unit 2nd Assistant Cameraman Nigel Nally, Callen, Hennah, Construction Manager Colin Davidson, Stand-in Jamie Haugh, and Freeman
- Production Video #11 - Introduction to Pick-up Shooting (9:06) Sets the stage for the subsequent Production Videos in the series by explaining to the viewer what exactly “Pick-up” shooting is and how they go about reconstructing sets and re-convening cast and crew several months after completion of principal photography in order to accomplish it. On camera comments are provided by Jackson, Connon, Transport Manager Glenn Shaw, Construction Manager Norm Willerton, Art Department Manager Chris Hennah, Set Decorator Ra Vincent, Boswell, O’Gorman, McTavish, Hunter, Make-up and Haire Designer Peter King, Sylvester McCoy (“Radagast”), Extras Casting Director Victoria Beynon, New Zealand Casting Director Liz Mullane, Bell, and Evans
- Production Video #12 - Recap of Pick-ups, Part 1 (8:20) picks up where its predecessor left off with more behind the scenes glimpses of the ten week pick-up shoot. On-camera comments are provided by Post Production Supervisor Josh Levinson, Visual Effects Supervisor Eric Saindon, Previsualization Artist James Willingham, Jackson, 2nd Unit Director - Splinter Unit Christian Rivers, Boom Operator Corrin Ellingford, Stand-in Jamie Haugh, Stand-in (& Plane-spotter) Hayden Weal, Bloom, Lilley, and Pace.
- Production Video #13 - Recap of Pick-ups, Part 2 (8:46) Continues the series with footage of additional pick-up shooting for the second film in the series as well as some glimpses into the post-production process. On-camera comments are provided by Jackson, Willerton, Freeman, Creative Art Director Gino Acevedo, Brophy, Hadlow, Evans, Mark Mitchinson (“Braga”), Fry, Ryan Gage ("Alfrid"), Rivers, Nesbitt, Location Manager Mathew Gordon, Yorke, Animation Supervisor David Clayton, Animation Supervisor Eric Reynolds, FX Supervisor Kevin Romond, FX Supervisor Ronnie Menaham, Additional Re-recording Mixer Gilbert Lake, and Re-recording Mixer Christopher Boyes.
- Production Video #14 - Music Scoring (10:28) Looks at the composition and recording of the film's score. Including visits to Howard Shore's writing studio and the Wellington Town Hall where the orchestra was recorded. On-camera comments are provided by "Music Of The Lord of the Rings" author Dog Adams, Composer Howard Shore, Jackson, NZ Score Coordinator Kate Mulligan, Cobbin, Second Assistant Director Greg Daniels, Orchestrator/Conductor Conrad Pope, Principal Trombone David Brenner, Double Bass Malcolm Struthers, Doctorate Principal Trumpet Cheryl Hollinger, Actor Billy Boyd (circa 2001), Actor Dominic Monaghan (circa 2001), Principal Harp Carolyn Mills, Sub-Principal 2nd Violin David Gilling, Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Principal Timpani Laurence Reese, Gamelan Orchestra Pesinden Briar Prastiti, Score Editor/Mixer Kirsty Whalley, and Principal Flute Bridget Douglas.
- Trailer #1 (2:11)
- Trailer #2 (2:32)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Preview (3:02)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Extended Edition Trailer (1:34)
- LEGO The Hobbit Console Game Trailer (1:44)
- The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle Earth Mobile Platform Game Trailer (1:07)
"The Hobbit" - Production Videos
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Ed Sheeran "I See Fire"
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewed By: Ken_McAlinden
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