Exchange

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137814

Middle-earth's got its mojo back. A huge improvement on the previous instalment, this takes our adventurers into uncharted territory and delivers spectacle by the ton. And in case you were wondering, yes, someone manages to say the title as dialogue.


Reviewed by Nick de Semlyen

Totalfilm review:
http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug
Despite suffering from middle-act wobbles, The Desolation Of Smaug nevertheless delivers rousing action, incredible visuals and one stupendous dragon.

4 stars

On each website people can leave a review. This allows anyone who has watched it to share their experience with other people who are thinking about going to watch it.

Social Networking

The Hobbit uses Facebook and blogging to show the making of the film. This allowed fans to see the progress while making The Hobbit and comment, allowing them to share their opinions. By using Facebook and Blogging the Hobbit team can connect directly with fans in a way that keeps the fans interested. The Hobbit Facebook page posts videos about 10-13 minutes long and pictures to show the how it was made. 

Extension questions

Does the Hobbit franchise illustrate any wider trends in terms of contemporary film production?

The Hobbit franchise does illustrate wider trends in terms of contemporary film production by the technologies it uses such as a 3D camera which is becoming popular. Many films are often created from a book so already have a storyline. It is a blockbuster movie so a big budget movie which uses British actors who are most likely to be well known by the targeted nationality.The genre of the film appeals to a mainstream audience. The reason there were 3 institutions  means that there are more funds for the production of the Hobbit and there was a large interest expressed by MGM due to the success of Lord of the Rings.



Do the current trends reflect the types of films you watch?
I don't think the current trends reflect the types of films I watch as I don't tend to watch 3D films.

The Hobbit and Production