The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey (2012)

I’d like to add about the eagles. They are magical beings too, just like the wizards. They are incredibly intelligent and could speak. Since they are sentient beings, they could also be corrupted by the power of the ring. Gandalf knew better and would rather not bring powerful, intelligent creatures near the ring. Also, the quest worked better in secrecy. The enemy could see from miles ahead if a flock of humongous birds flew too close to Mordor. Security and defense would be amped up and there would be ZERO chance of anyone making it there.

Yeah, Desolation of Smaug and Battle of the Five armies are next. DO NOT MESS UP ORDER, Please!

Basil Tarasov

A couple more things relating to the movies themselves now that I've finished watching your reaction: - I guess you missed Gandalf's line to Bilbo about Elvish blades glowing blue any time Orcs or Goblins are near. It went off in that moment because Gollum had just killed the one Goblin nearby. - Speaking of Gollum, you'll learn a lot more about him in the LOTR movies. But it's not really a spoiler to say that he was once also a Hobbit by the name of Sméagol, and his appearance now is a result of the ring's corruption over him for the nearly 500 years he possessed it (also extending his life considerably, obviously). - And, yes, you'll learn the ring's full story in the LOTR movies, as well as the other rings of power forged for each of the kingdoms of each of Middle-Earth's main races (3 for the Elves, 7 for the Dwarves, and 9 for the Men -- these rings are actually further alluded to in the extended cuts of these "Hobbit" movies). -As for the Eagles not taking people to their direct destinations (something also often inquired about in the LOTR movies), Peter Jackson never fully addresses it in these movies, and, from what I've heard, even Tolkien himself wasn't thorough in explaining it. But, suffice it to say, they don't exist in Middle-Earth purely as a sort of taxi service.

Byrd N. Hand

Alas, you didn't watch the extended cut : / (which is about 15 minutes longer and adds even more depth to the story). Make sure you're locating the longest possible version of each of these movies (the extended cuts of this and the second movie are both just over 3 hours, the third is 2 3/4 hours; the LOTR extended cuts are 3½, 3 3/4, and just a little over 4 hours, respectively). If it's a question of space for one video, feel free to split them in 2. Cheers.

Byrd N. Hand