All the MEPBM staff plus a few taggers on decided that as a nice bit of
light relief we'd go and see the "The Hobbit"at the local theatre.
Overall it was an excellent evening of entertainment - I thought that
Gollum's riddling of Bilbo was excellent, the dwarves (only 5 for space
reasons!) played well and the overall journey was well produced and
effective. Gandalf's fireworks (a little more liberal than in the book!)
and Bilbo going invisible are something to watch out for. Bard was very
good as a hero, and the encounter with the Trolls much fun, the black river
in Mirkwood (and the spider[s]).
Bad things - Smaug's actual presence (vocally excellent); elves - well to
be polite, they did not quite get this across very well, but Beorn was very
intimidating. Gandalf was average, but the light relief of the Elvish
guards in the Elven halls, and the Line Dancing Woodmen (we're not ever
going to be able to look at the Woodmen nation in the game quite the same
way!) Trying to reproduce the battle of the 5 armies was awkward but quite
reasonable considering the space restrictions (the duelling was very
adequate!)
So as a review this may stink, but as something to go to I would heartily
recommend anyone who loves The Hobbit to check it out.
Clint