The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
2012  PG-13  FANTASY  2h 49min
CAST— Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood
MUSIC— Howard Shore  DIRECTOR— Peter Jackson  BASED ON— The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (novel), by J. R. R. Tolkien

     The first of another Middle-earthly trilogy is a long-winded, ambitious, yet solidly entertaining prequel to director Peter Jackson’s brilliant interpretation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings saga. Decades ago the age old Dwarf kingdom was plundered by the villainous dragon Smaug. Now the time has come for the Dwarves to reclaim their homeland. A grand quest is undertaken by thirteen disgraced Dwarves and a wandering wizard who’s been searching for the perfect fifteenth member of their fellowship. He finds that person in a rather unwilling young hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who, like most hobbits, yearns for home and hearth rather than daring and adventure. As it turns out adventure is all that’s ahead for this hapless hobbit as he and his newfound company face danger in many forms: trolls, Goblins, Wargs, you name it. For those who enjoyed Tolkien’s classic novel this film shouldn’t disappoint (especially those in the mood for a few riddles in the dark). All in all a satisfying start to what will hopefully prove to be another praise worthy epic. Extended version also available. Oscar-winner for the Scientific and Engineering Award.
OUR RATING— ***
FOLLOWED BY— The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)