THE HOBBIT is the prequel to THE LORD OF THE RINGS which had a long history to make it to the screen as about as long as LORD OF THE RINGS. The film was held up by MGM's money problems and lost a director before Peter Jackson decided to go back to the director's chair to direct it like he had directed the three LORD OF THE RINGS films starting over a decade ago. Somehow they are stretching it out to a trilogy of films while I can see how they can make it two films after watching THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY. It brings back the wonder of watching THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, but I don't think this film is as good as the LOTR series. It is still an enjoyable experience even though the first part runs a little long at around two hours and 40 minutes (not including credits). It is good to see new characters and old ones as fans will enjoy seeing the beginning of the J.R.R. Tolkien saga first published as a novel in September 1937.

Bilbo Baggins recounts the tale of the journey that changed his life and helped push forward the course of events over 60 years.  Bilbo remembers what happens 60 years ago as Gandalf convinces him to join a company of 13 Dwarves led by Thorin, the son of a Dwarf King, to reclaim the treasure stolen by the dragon Smaug (after Gandalf tricks Bilbo in hosting a party).   They battle trolls, hunted by Orcs, and have to visit the Elves (that Thorin shows no good will towards since the Elves refused to help Thorin reclaim his kingdom from the dragon).   The best part of the film has to be the game of riddles between Gollum and Bilbo where Bilbo claims the Ring that will change everything and set forth a quest to destroy it 60 years later.

The New Zealand vistas are just as beautiful while the special effects are of mixed results (while some effects look much better than others).   The 3D effect looks good on the film while some of the film you can watch without having your 3D glasses on.   The cast bring to life the characters in the film while Ian McKellan feels like he hasn’t left the role of Gandalf (like it was yesterday).   Peter Jackson is a good choice to direct THE HOBBIT films since he has wonderfully directed THE LORD OF THR RINGS trilogy, but I do wonder how Guillermo del Toro’s version of the films would have been like and yet it has led del Toro to make the robots vs monster movie PACIFIC RIM.   The only two thoughts remain is how they will stretch things out for two more movies and hw the extended version will fair of AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY which it comes to DVD and Blu-ray in November of 2013 (without seeming like it is a movie more overlong than it already is).  The movie does leave off at a good point, but it is a shame we have to wait a year to see the saga continue.

This movie review is (c)12-16-2012 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com