Yes, this came out a week ago. Yes, you’ve probably watched this trailer by now. Why would I still write about it? Well, to paraphrase Captain Mal Reynolds … it is so very, very pretty.

Martin Freeman looks great. He doesn’t take on many of the characteristics of Ian Holm, but Ian Holm’s older Bilbo is really another man. Like Gandalf says in the trailer, he comes back changed for better or for worse. No, Freeman’s Bilbo is the one I remember from the books – very polite, very hospitable, but very wants to be left alone because that is what hobbits do! I really do see a lot of Arthur Dent in him, which is probably why Freeman got that role as well.

I’ve heard naysayers complain that this looks like the LOtR movies, and I honestly want to shake those people. We have a prequel that is staying true to the original films … how often does that happen?! The Shire looks like the Shire, Rivendell looks like Rivendell and the Snozzberries taste like Snozzberries. What more can you ask of the cinematography, people?! If what I’ve seen in the trailer and Peter Jackson’s vlogs is any indication, there will come a day when we can watch the two Hobbit movies and the Lord of the Rings trilogy back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back and films will seamlessly flow one after the other. Also, if it’s my household we’ll be watching the extended editions, which means a good 15+ hours of seemless story telling. In other words, Peter Jackson’s continued direction is a good thing.

From the vlogs Jackson has published on Facebook, I’m even excited about the 3D. Normally I’m disinterested in 3D … it’s mostly spectacle and I’m under the impression that directors should focus on the aspects of the movie that will actually make it to most televisions (you know, like the story and character development). However, Jackson and his crew are taking the 3D incredibly seriously, in a good way.

All I’m saying is, if you’re going to do 3D, 1. do it right and 2. keep the story and characters your main focus. And from the clips I’ve seen, both in the trailer and in the vlogs, Jackson is on point. Will this be a nerdfest for fans? Of course, but with its fairy tale themes and more whimsical tone, I think The Hobbit could strike a chord with an even larger audience. I only wish we didn’t have a year until we get to see it.

Oh, and I still don’t think I’ll be able to keep the dwarves’ names straight.