Movie Review - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Adventure

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey  $$$$  

 

 

PG-13

169 Minutes

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, and Andy Serkis.

Director: Peter Jackson. 

 

My inner nerd has patiently been waiting for the release of this film. As well as my outer nerd, my in-bewteen nerd, and all other forms of nerdness that I posses. Peter Jackson did such an excellent job with the Lord of the Rings trilogy that the expectations for this movie has been especially high.

Nor were my easily bruised expectations disappointed.  

            For those of you unfamiliar with The Hobbit, the story deals with the loss of the ancestral home of the dwarves from “Lonely Mountain.” Once rich and powerful they are displaced by the dragon Smaug. Those who were not killed by the dragon fled their home and wandered Middle-Earth.

            Thorin (Richard Armitage), now the king of the dwarven kingdom of Erebor has decided the time has come to reclaim their home – and gold. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) has joined the dwarves in their noble quest and suggested that they need the aid of a burglar. To that end they have come to the Shire to enlist Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman).

            Bilbo is reluctant to join the quest, not only is he not a burglar, he is most definitely not the sort to tromp around the countryside looking for adventure. He tells them that he will remain warm and comfy in his hobbit-hole and wishes them luck. But before they are out of view he finds that he has joined them. There is a part of him that longs to tromp around the countryside after all.

            Then adventure ensues. 

            Peter Jackson did an excellent job with this film. I liked it better than any of the movies in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Mainly because it spent less time making the orcs and goblins as hideous as possible. This should make it a better film for children to see.

            The acting was seamless. Although I didn’t think that any of the performances really stood out, neither did any of the actors draw attention to themselves with a poor showing. That being the case I found myself focused on the story and the special effects. Both are excellent. The sets were beautiful and my eyes constantly feasted on them. And the story is one of the best fantasy tales of all time. Jackson did an admirable job of following the events of the novel. Be warned though – this is only the first of three movies based on the book. It takes the story just past the point where Bilbo encounters Gollum (Andy Serkis). Then you will have to wait for the rest of the story.

            I rated this film a full four movie bucks, mainly because I think you should rush out and see it right away. See it big and bold in the theater. Go. Now.

            Randy’s Rating System 

$$$$   = Full Price    See this movie right away and pay full price, it’s worth it.

$$$     = Matinee      Catch this as a matinee or other discounted showing.

$$        = Discount     Wait until this movie reaches a discount theater near you.

$          = Rental         Wait until this movie reaches your local video rental outlet.

0          = No Sale       Don’t see this movie at any price.