Before I post my official review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, I want to write about my comparisons between the IMAX and 48 FPS viewing experiences of the film.
I’m going to go ahead and say that I prefer the IMAX format, as it kept true to the glossy, cinematic look that I appreciate in movies. At times I felt like I was watching a big budget History Channel reenactment. To me also, the 3D looked much better and added to the experience in the IMAX format. The first thing one may also notice is the sped up pace of the characters’ movements, which in all honesty I did not mind at all and rather enjoyed because after adjustments, it was really catchy to the eyes.
So here is my general consensuss… If you are as dedicated a film buff as I am, watch it in IMAX first and then upon second viewing, see it in 48 FPS. When we have been so accustomed to the 24 FPS viewing experience, doubling the frame rate may seem a bit of a shock on the eyes. But, as a film fan and a person who respect’s an artist’s creations, I can say I am glad I saw the film in both formats and enjoyed each of them for separate reasons. I urge anyone to see both released versions and decide which they like better.
-ADAM KEITH.
