[Suzerain of Sheol]

Okay... so the schedule is looking more like one of these a week. *shrugs*

Scene 3: The Shire

O...kay, I'll just come out and say it, I don't like Elijah Wood at all. That look he did into the camera here was downright creepy. He is just... not Frodo to me, at all. I really don't remember Frodo being so... young in the book, but, given that they cut out a good 17 years of plot around this section, I suppose it doesn't really matter.

Gandalf, on the other hand, is one of the best character portrayals in the films, right from this very first scene. Though... I honestly can't remember if this scene was in the book or not. I want to say “no” for some reason, but I'm not sure.

And, again, noting that the Shire looks amazing.

...not a fan of the giddy laughing between Gandalf and Frodo.

Bilbo's monologue sounds very rehearsed, but, given that it's supposed to be what he's writing in the Red Book, I suppose that's okay.

And... cure Gandalf being paranoid about the Ring. Always thought it was a bit of a plothole in the story that he was ever okay with leaving Bilbo with a Ring. I mean, they're pretty much all bad news, as long as the One existed. I suspect it's a holdover to the more fairy-tale nature of the Hobbit and the more benign nature of magic Rings therein.

Also, looking closely, the whole forced perspective shot of Frodo in the wagon seat is a bit fake-looking, but only because I'm trying to spot it, I think.

And... I'm not sure referencing the “incident with the dragon” was the best move. It means nothing to non-book-readers and feels a bit too much like saying “Look! This is a fantasy film!” for no real reason. The verisimilitude and resonance with readers is kind of lost, given how many liberties with the story they take later. It almost feels insulting when they throw lines like that in, knowing what's coming. No matter they are, these films are not... treats for the book purists. At best, they're a separate entity.

I really don't care for Elijah Wood's fake English accent.

An excellent “Gandalf twinkle” from Mckellen when Gandalf sets of the fireworks. He owns this role.

And, that wraps up scene 3. In its role of introducing the characters, it does a fair job. If Frodo had been played by someone more believable in the role, I would rate this scene a lot higher, as everything in it is pretty well done.