The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

A word about the experience before the review. I went to one of the select theatres that showed The Hobbit in 3D and IMAX, and also ran a 9 minute (seemed like 20) preview of 2013's Star Trek: Into Darkness. I can't recommend this option enough. Star Trek looks absolutely phenomenal. J.J. Abrams has found his niche and now has an endless supply of storylines in the Trek universe and beyond. Spectacular effects and will truly be one of the biggest hits of the summer blockbuster season.

Peter Jackson brings us back to the magical world of Middle Earth after a nine year absence and multiple denials that he would attach himself to this project in any capacity beyond writer and executive producer. Guillermo Del Toro was going to take on the film for awhile, but settled for a writing credit when the job got too daunting. With a production budget of nearly half a billion dollars, the single story has been broken into three films, much like Lord of the Rings, and the investment will certainly prove profitable, as opening weekend projections look north of $100 million for domestic shows.

Between 2001 and 2003, Jackson took us on a nine hour, three film journey that won 17 Oscars out of a staggering 30 nominations. It was an epic trilogy unlike anything since the original Star Wars, and will likely not be eclipsed anytime soon (the one exception being James Cameron's little project). Jackson has the opportunity to take us on an equally intoxicating journey with a few key differences.

There has been some grumbling among the masses about the decision to draw out the story into three movies, but I need to tell you, anyone who takes offense to the single story being made into a nine hour trilogy needs to watch the first installment and then re-evaluate where their complaint is coming from. It's not from a profit-driven perspective, it's that there is just that much rich material that Peter Jackson and his writing team need to put onto the screen. There isn't any filler, and there is more than enough action to sustain the first movement.

We return to Middle Earth for the J.R.R. Tolkien classic which introduces us to a young Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit of the Shire. Among the top five selling fiction novels of all time (Lord of the Rings being on that list as well), the story is well known and adored by millions. Bilbo takes up with a dozen dwarves on a journey to reclaim their homeland and treasures. The enigmatic dragon, Smaug stands in their way, and they encounter various creatures, foes, allies, and obstacles in the magical realm of Middle Earth. Elves, orcs, goblins, trolls, rock monsters, and giant eagles all play a role in this fantastical adventure written for men, women, and children alike.

Those of you who are expecting Lord of the Rings, Part IV should brace yourselves. This one is better. The internal and external pressure seems to have been lifted, and although it is a mammoth task to put together a film of this scope, it seems a bit more effortless, and the digital effects are familiar, so a bit easier to pull off. Additionally, seeing this in 3D and IMAX add an additional element of depth and immersion that the first trilogy would have definitely benefited from.

The first difference between Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit is that LOTR introduced us to the world of Middle Earth, and the evils and creatures that stir in its realms. The Hobbit is much more of a character-driven story. Bilbo Baggins is the protagonist that was missing from the first trilogy (although ensemble worked). Played by Martin Freeman, he is the perfect actor to play the anxious little Hobbit who is out of place on this dangerous adventure. Bilbo is the heart of this journey, and he's a character with heart. I can't imagine anyone seeing this film without having seen (or at least being familiar with) LOTR so the back story is less necessary, and we can jump right into chapter one, so to speak.

The second noticeable difference is that the tone is much lighter. It's almost as if Peter Jackson decided not to be quite so serious, and to enjoy the dialogue a bit more than in his past films. There is humor and the characters seem more at ease with themselves, and less wooden. It's hard to describe but the characters seem more genuine and soulful (even the ones who appeared in the other films).

Shot in 48 frames per second instead of the traditional 24, and released in 3D, The Hobbit is a more progressive film-making approach. Pushing the envelope like some of his contemporaries, Jackson didn't make a poor decision, and to be honest, I really only noticed a difference during fast-paced action sequences, which even a decade ago would have been very cheesy looking. The visual effects team did a tremendous job integrating set with animation, and characters.

Martin Freeman's Bilbo Baggins is a much more relatable and likeable Hobbit than his nephew, Frodo (sorry, Elijah Wood). Additionally, the star of the previous installments, Gollum (played spectacularly by Andy Serkis), steals the show for the fifteen minutes or so of screen time that he receives. An absolutely brilliant acting job with motion-capture and voice work by a man who is repeatedly robbed of Oscar nominations. His compensation this time around? Second Unit Director title. Nice work, Serkis. I still think Gollum is a magical character, and we'll see more of him in the next two films. The rest of the cast are unknowns (the dwarves), or characters returning to their roles from the original films (Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, and of course, Ian McKellen).

I read this book this past summer with my wife in anticipation of this film, and my prediction of how and when it would end lined up perfectly with what appeared on the screen. There is satisfaction from the steady barrage of battle and action sequences, but the ending seems to be a natural spot. The three hours seemed like they took forever, but in a good way. As a viewer, you are sucked back into this magical world, and you are patiently going to wait for the next part. December of 2013 brings us The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and December of 2014 brings us The Hobbit: There and Back Again. I personally can't wait for either.

The score is hands down the best of the year, and the effects are undeniably state of the art. I predict a Best Picture nomination, numerous technical categories (and wins), and music gold. It's a great film worth watching, but please, see it in 3D. It's the best since Avatar. 9/10.