Almost a decade after the release of
'Return of the King', the final film of the Lord of the Rings
trilogy, director Peter Jackson returns to the land of Middle-Earth
with 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey', the first in a new trilogy
of films based off of author J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary novel, 'The
Hobbit', the prequel to 'Lord of the Rings'. It will be followed by
'The Desolation of Smaug' in 2013 and will conclude with 'There and
Back Again' in 2014. The question is whether or not Jackson can
deliver on a grand fantasy epic the same way he did years ago with
'The Lord of the Rings'. The answer to that is a resounding yes as
this new film continues many of the grand traditions that made the
original trilogy so great in the first place.
Taking place 60 years before the events
of 'The Lord of the Rings', the film follows Bilbo Baggins (Martin
Freeman, with Ian Holm reprising his role from the previous trilogy
in a brief cameo), a Hobbit from the Shire who is approached by the
wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), who offers him a chance to go on an
adventure. Bilbo learns that he has been recruited into a company of
dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), the grandson
of a Dwarf King, who look to reclaim their Kingdom of Erebor, which
was overtaken by the dragon Smaug (who will be portrayed through
motion capture by Benedict Cumberbatch). Bilbo joins the company on
the quest, which takes them through the Mountains, while on the run
from a pack of Orcs. Meanwhile, Bilbo comes across a mysterious ring
that will change the world of Middle-Earth forever.
The first thing to note about this film
is its obvious change in tone from the previous trilogy. While there
are some very intense moments throughout the film (decapitations,
epic warfare, etc...), 'The Hobbit' is actually a children's novel
and as such, the movie is mostly a lighthearted adventure with a lot
more humorous moments than before, mostly coming from the Dwarves.
Still, Jackson delivers in bringing us an fun and epic adventure.
Really, the only one problem I have with this first entry is that, in
regards to pacing, the movie is rather slow in some parts and it
feels just a bit too long, even by franchise standards. There were
just some scenes that felt like they should have just been on the
Extended Edition. In this case, I'm not even sure if a Extended
Edition is even a good idea.
So next let's delve into the other big
part of this film; the dwarves. Unlike the first trilogy which only
focused around one dwarf, this film follows thirteen dwarves. Sure,
some dwarves are more focused on than others, and really it's a
challenge just to remember all of their names, but if there's one
thing I can take out of this movie, it is how fun they made the
adventure as a whole. You get a clear sense of their dedication and
loyalty to each other and you feel like part of the group just like
Bilbo. The same could be said for the original trilogy with the
Fellowship, and Jackson keeps that idea with this new trilogy of
films.
Like the previous trilogy, the acting
is phenomenal all-around, and there are three notable standouts here.
Martin Freeman is spot-on as the young Bilbo Baggins, very much
channeling Ian Holm. Ian McKellen is once again terrific as Gandalf,
who of course is still a bad-ass. Finally, Richard Armitage does a
fantastic job as the stern but dedicated leader Thorin. Of course, I
can't go through with this review without mentioning the return of
Gollum, who is once again played brilliantly by Andy Serkis. His
scene with Bilbo around the middle of the film is easily the best
moment of the film. Seriously, somebody give this guy an Oscar,
because this is one of the standout performances of the year. So what
if he's hidden under CGI?
So, is this first entry in 'The Hobbit'
trilogy as good as 'The Lord of the Rings' films? Maybe, maybe not.
The sole problem I have with this first film is how it is rather slow
in some areas and also because it felt a bit too long. To be blunt, I
was rather nervous about Jackson splitting what was once only two
films into a full trilogy. Sure, the appendices that J.RR. Tolkien
wrote do create vast potential for Jackson to explore Middle-Earth,
but to me it seems like 'The Desolation of Smaug' seems like it will
revolve around Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves fighting Smaug the
Dragon, and therefore resulting in the dwarves taking back Erebor and
completing the dwarves' story. So where will 'There and Back Again'
go after that? But you know what, I'll be there eagerly awaiting
those next two films because as this film shows, no one knows
Middle-Earth better than Peter Jackson.
Rating: 4/5
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