I liked the hobbit movies, but I’m not going to argue that they were good. I even reread the book in preparation. The movie hit all of the points I was curious to see illustrated visually. I thought the new characters ramped up the tension nicely, and the barrel scene was genuinely joyous. I was also glad the singing was such a big part of the theming, including the wonderful opening, where Bilbo is beset by the Dwarfs and has to host them against his will.
Anyway, I’m not saying I’m right, or that my view is objective, but I enjoyed all of Peter Jackson’s Tolkien movies more than I thought I ever would. Clear evidence that we don’t live in the darkest timeline, at least.
Interestingly, the added characters and the barrel scene are exactly (some of) the reasons why I don’t like the movies and IMO symptoms for why they’re bad.
Unnecessary and don’t fit well into the story, they feel tacked on and seem to be there mostly to make the movies more appealing to an action audience.
I’ve never met anyone IRL or even online who shared my opinion, so I’d say you’re very much in the majority with that opinion.
Well, now you have. The Hobbit is a silly, whimsical, and fun book. The barrels are awesome. I also like the singing and the dwarves giving Bilbo anxiety. My biggest gripe with the movies was that elf who romances a dwarf, I thought that plotline was boring.
