Peter Jackson Defends 'The Hobbit' Criticism

Director Peter Jackson responded to criticism about the format of his upcoming The Hobbit that surfaced at CinemaCon in Las Vegas last week when Jackson and Warner Bros. debuted 10 minutes of film footage, starring Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Martin Freeman, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Cate Blanchett, and Andy Serkis.

"This technology is going to keep evolving," Jackson said about the new format, which shoots the film at 48 frames per second instead of the usual 24, which, according to Jackson, creates a more lifelike picture, reports EW.

Jackson is defending the appearance of the film from critics who argue that it looks too glossy. "At first it's unusual because you've never seen a movie like this before," he said. "It's literally a new experience." At the same time, Jackson recognizes that it may just come down to a matter of personal taste. "I can't say anything to someone who doesn't like fish," he offered as a comparison. "You can't explain why fish tastes great and why they should enjoy it."

When The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey is released in theaters on December 14, however, Jackson expects that the format won't be that big of a deal, especially since The Hobbit will ultimately be available in six different formats: 3D, 2D, and IMAX 3D — with each one available in either the 24- or 48-frame style.

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