Tonight I watched the final movie in The Hobbit trilogy.  Some of it was extremely contrived and gimmicky in a way that was tedious or uncomfortable.  But I appreciated it when that stuff was done around the central character, Bilbo Baggins.  I’m trying to “put my finger on it”, as it were and figure out what made me enjoy some of it while other similar behavior had the opposite effect.

In trying to narrow it down, I can see patterns in what I liked.  One piece of “over the top”-ness was Legolas’s fight scenes, but I actually enjoyed these, as they help support his performance in the subsequent movies.  That made the tricks feel justifiable.

Second, Martin Freeman did an excellent job as Bilbo and I seemed to appreciate anything that was done in his character’s role.  This is where the crux of my issues can be found I think, in that most of Bilbo’s interactions are based on respecting, caring and friendship.  Many of the other “stunts” are tricks of the computer or camera and don’t really add any value, in my opinion.  But all that Bilbo does, is because his sense of caring and loyalty weigh heavily against his sense of honor.  This is what was important about The Fellowship of the Rings as well.

Another thing I appreciate about the movie is the sense that love and friendship can result in great pain, but that the pain does not outweigh all that love and friendship meant, regardless of how short or how long before the loss.  This is a particular issue for me, as I have a paranoia about my husband and/or my father passing away.

That everyone dies is a certainty but I occasionally fret over the “when”, which is completely out of my control.  (I may pass first or with them, which kind of makes my fretting fruitless, especially since I don’t have control, but I fret nonetheless.)  My point being that I appreciate the reminders that love is wonderful and is not to be avoided for fear of any pain that may follow.