New 'Hobbit' film makes some moviegoers sick

Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY | USATODAY

The new Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is causing some unexpected reaction.

Some in the audience for the New Zealand premiere last week are reporting that the high-speed cinematography is not good for the stomach or the head.

The Daily Mail reports that U.K.'s Sunday Times quotes one "avid Middle Earth fan,", who had flown to New Zealand from Australia for the Nov. 28 world premiere, as saying, "My eyes cannot take everything in, it's dizzying, now I have a migraine."

Another fan apparently tweeted: "It works for the big snowy mountains, but in close-ups the pictures strobes. I left loving the movie but feeling sick."

And another described having motion sickness similar to being on a rollercoaster, saying, "You have to hold your stomach down and let your eyes pop at first to adjust. This is not for wimps."

Ian McKellan explained this morning on Live! with Kelly and Michael, "The normal way we see a movie is 24 frames per second. Just know that. the way the human eye sees ... is 60 frames per second. The movie is halfway between at 48 frames. I've not seen it, but what you apparently get is a real sense of reality. And with the 3D it doesn't come out at you, but rather takes you inside."

X-Men director Bryan Singer was in New Zealand for the Nov. 28 premiere and didn't have any problem - other than being jealous of Peter Jackson's work. He tweeted afterward: "Just saw #Hobbit. Having some serious frame rate envy. Amazing and involving. Loved it! And @ianmckellen118, my friend, you are brilliant!"