Scan barcode
alliecat1915's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
birdkeeperklink's review against another edition
3.0
There isn't much to say about this, is there? It is was it is: a movie guide. I liked it well enough. The pictures were nice.
konstantinatzi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
giftsintogold's review against another edition
4.0
A nice behind-the-scenes look at the characters in this epic tale.
narflet's review against another edition
3.0
If this had been my only source of information pre-film I'd be surprisingly optimistic about it's upcoming release. As it isn't, I'm much more dubious and prepared to not like the changes that have been made. The Movie Storybook is the one that you want to prepare yourself for the film disappointments and, as I understand it, the Official Movie Guide (although I've decided not to read that one until after the film is out).
However, the book is a lovely hardback; the pictures are well chosen and haven't been overly photoshopped like in the three books for children. The text is well written, and gives you information to enhance your viewing of the film without actually spoiling anything. Which is why it reads like 'gosh, they've really paid attention to the book (and the 'Of Dwarves' section in the LotR appendices) and created interesting characters from the little information we're given about them - good job' and lulls you in to feeling this could be a good adaptation. It remains to be seen, of course, but I'm going in with a healthy dose of suspicion.
In comparison to the LotR Visual Companions that Jude Fisher also did, this one is slightly smaller in physical size but has more pages. The RotK Visual Companion (because that's the one I've got on hand to compare with) had much more text, and read more like a story guide whereas this one reads much more like a 'set the scene and meet the characters' book. I believe, however, that's how the FotR Visual Companion read too (it definitely had a fold out map, like this one does too) so it may be that the volumes for the next two films will be more storybook like than this one. We shall see.
If you're a fan of the LotR films and are looking forward to the Hobbit films too, then get it by all means - you'll love it (and rate it 4 or 5 stars). Me, I'm overly invested in these films which I'm sure I will end up not liking, yet I just can't help compulsively buying this stuff (and can't quite bring myself to give this 4 stars).
However, the book is a lovely hardback; the pictures are well chosen and haven't been overly photoshopped like in the three books for children. The text is well written, and gives you information to enhance your viewing of the film without actually spoiling anything. Which is why it reads like 'gosh, they've really paid attention to the book (and the 'Of Dwarves' section in the LotR appendices) and created interesting characters from the little information we're given about them - good job' and lulls you in to feeling this could be a good adaptation. It remains to be seen, of course, but I'm going in with a healthy dose of suspicion.
In comparison to the LotR Visual Companions that Jude Fisher also did, this one is slightly smaller in physical size but has more pages. The RotK Visual Companion (because that's the one I've got on hand to compare with) had much more text, and read more like a story guide whereas this one reads much more like a 'set the scene and meet the characters' book. I believe, however, that's how the FotR Visual Companion read too (it definitely had a fold out map, like this one does too) so it may be that the volumes for the next two films will be more storybook like than this one. We shall see.
If you're a fan of the LotR films and are looking forward to the Hobbit films too, then get it by all means - you'll love it (and rate it 4 or 5 stars). Me, I'm overly invested in these films which I'm sure I will end up not liking, yet I just can't help compulsively buying this stuff (and can't quite bring myself to give this 4 stars).
angelwolf45's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun book to read.
I have seen all the hobbit movies and I have enjoyed reading this companion. It was neat to read about the movie and see the pictures from the movie.
It was an enjoyable read and I liked that this had the map of middle earth and showed all the places that the company went to through out their travels.
It was neat to read more on the dwarves and the other characters that you got to meet in the movie.
It was a great book and a very fun read.
I have seen all the hobbit movies and I have enjoyed reading this companion. It was neat to read about the movie and see the pictures from the movie.
It was an enjoyable read and I liked that this had the map of middle earth and showed all the places that the company went to through out their travels.
It was neat to read more on the dwarves and the other characters that you got to meet in the movie.
It was a great book and a very fun read.
bookwalk's review against another edition
5.0
Der Hobbit - Eine unerwartete Reise. Das offizielle Begleitbuch, eines der vielen Bücher zum kommenden ersten Teil der Verfilmung des Romans der Hobbit von J. R. R. Tolkien, ist ein rundum gelungenes, sehr informatives Buch rund um die faszinierende Welt von Mittelerde. Der Leser erfährt nicht nur allerlei nützliche und informative Details zu den im ersten Film vorkommenden Charakteren wie Bilbo Beutlin, Gandalf der Graue oder Gollum, sondern ebenfalls über die wichtigen Schauplätze der Erzählung (u.a. das Auenland, Bruchtal oder die Trollhöhen) und die unterschiedlichen Völker, seien es nun Orks, Elben oder Zwerge. Begleitet wird die Beschreibung von dutzenden erstklassigen, hochauflösenden und detailverliebten Fotos, welche sehr gut ausgewählt sind und einfach zu dem jeweiligen Thema hervorragend passen.
Ein interessantes und unterhaltsames Grußwort von Martin Freeman zu Beginn des Buches runden dieses geniale, leider etwas teure aber dennoch uneingeschrät empfehlbare Nachschlagewerk ab.
Darüber hinaus gefällt mir die Gestaltung des Buches sehr gut. Das Cover kann sich sehen lassen. Ein hochauflösendes Foto zeigt sowohl die 13 Zwerge rund um Thorin Eichenschild und den Zauberer Gandalf als auch den Hauptdarsteller Martin Freeman in seiner Rolle als Bilbo Beutlin im Großformat. Der Druck ist sehr gelungen und da das Buch als gebundene Ausgabe mit Schutzumschlag erschienen ist, wobei sowohl das Buch selbst als auch der Umschlag die kurz beschriebene, tolle Gestaltung haben, macht das Buch insgesamt einen sehr gelungenen Eindruck und im heimischen Bücherregal trotz seines großen Formats eine gute Figur!
Fazit:
Die etwas knapp gehaltenen 80 Seiten dieses Buches erscheinen auf den ersten Blick recht wenig und der hohe Kaufpreis von knapp 20 Euro mögen anfangs abschreckend wirken.
Da das Buch aber mit einem wirklich tollen Inhalt überzeugen kann, ist dieser Preis gerechtfertigt und man sollte unbedingt einen Blick in dieses tolle Nachschlagewerk von Jude Fisher werfen. Eine absolute Empfehlung für detailverliebte und auf Hintergrundwissen hungrige Fantasyfans.
Ein interessantes und unterhaltsames Grußwort von Martin Freeman zu Beginn des Buches runden dieses geniale, leider etwas teure aber dennoch uneingeschrät empfehlbare Nachschlagewerk ab.
Darüber hinaus gefällt mir die Gestaltung des Buches sehr gut. Das Cover kann sich sehen lassen. Ein hochauflösendes Foto zeigt sowohl die 13 Zwerge rund um Thorin Eichenschild und den Zauberer Gandalf als auch den Hauptdarsteller Martin Freeman in seiner Rolle als Bilbo Beutlin im Großformat. Der Druck ist sehr gelungen und da das Buch als gebundene Ausgabe mit Schutzumschlag erschienen ist, wobei sowohl das Buch selbst als auch der Umschlag die kurz beschriebene, tolle Gestaltung haben, macht das Buch insgesamt einen sehr gelungenen Eindruck und im heimischen Bücherregal trotz seines großen Formats eine gute Figur!
Fazit:
Die etwas knapp gehaltenen 80 Seiten dieses Buches erscheinen auf den ersten Blick recht wenig und der hohe Kaufpreis von knapp 20 Euro mögen anfangs abschreckend wirken.
Da das Buch aber mit einem wirklich tollen Inhalt überzeugen kann, ist dieser Preis gerechtfertigt und man sollte unbedingt einen Blick in dieses tolle Nachschlagewerk von Jude Fisher werfen. Eine absolute Empfehlung für detailverliebte und auf Hintergrundwissen hungrige Fantasyfans.
lisa_setepenre's review against another edition
3.0
This will give you more information about the characters in the film and there are a lot of lovely photos, but the text is a bit simple and pat for my liking. Still, it's fun enough and great for younger fans of the movies.
kayleighofhobbiton's review against another edition
4.0
Yay, a wonderful colourful book for every hobbit movie fan.