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Director Peter Jackson takes us back the Middle Earth with The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey.
The Hobbit was first published 75 years ago and If you’ve read the book, you might be concerned as to how such slim material can be made into a trilogy. Even the most hardcore of Tolkien fans would agree it’s a lightweight read in comparison to The Lord of the Rings.
Adapting some of the comprehensive appendices and giving time to key scenes that are fleetingly mentioned in the book, Peter Jackson and his writing team have succeeded in creating something that fits seamlessly into the same world.
The film opens with the return of some familiar faces, Ian Holm as the older Bilbo and Elijah Wood as Frodo (who doesn’t look a day older). Quick to establish that these scenes are set on the morning of Bilbo’s birthday party which is where The Fellowship of the Rings begins, Bilbo works on his book and our story takes us back 60 years to when he was a young man.
Martin Freeman is perfectly cast as the younger Bilbo, using all his well honed comedic and dramatic skills he fills the hobbit shaped shoes with grace and conviction. Bilbo is a creature of comfort, he loves his home and continues the proud heritage of the family Baggins forever residing in the Shire. The arrival of Gandalf brings around the sudden gathering of 13 dwarves lead by Theorin who seeks to reclaim their homeland from the grasp of Smaug the dragon, and they want Bilbo to join their quest.
The controversial decision to shoot the movie using 48 frames per second (the standard is 24) will be a bit jarring for some people, there are times it feels like you are watching a well rehearsed live TV broadcast with insanely high production values. Some viewers may find this off putting, but this gives the finished film a crisp picture full of resplendent detail that allows a more immersive experience.
For all the wonderful scenery and performances, there are a handful of faults that prevent this being truly great. Due to the number of dwarves we only get to know a few of them that well, whilst we have the luxury of three movies to become aquatinted with these characters Jackson previously managed to weave grand multiple story threads like a master where as here he appears to struggle with a singular smaller story to tell. Only James Nesibitt’s Bofur, Aidan Turner’s Kili, Ken Stott’s Balin and leader of the company Richard Armitage as Thorin get a decent amount of screen time. Despite oddly resembling Gerard Butler with all his prosthetics on, Armitage gives a commanding performance and adds purpose to the noble character. They all have pretty good singing voices as well, the dwarves rendition of Misty Mountains is used as the heroic musical theme throughout the film
One of the most impressive scenes is the infamous riddles in the dark Bilbo plays with Gollum, once again brought to life by motion capture king Andy Serkis (who also serves as second unit director for all three films). The effects that brought this character to life were stunning a decade ago, but Jackson has improved the visuals and the ingeniously crafted scene is both funny and dangerously unnerving at the same time.
Around the half way mark there is a fantastic scene that reunites Hugo Weaving’s Elrond, Cate Blanchett’s Galadriel and Christopher Lee as Saruman. There’s more marvelous foreshadowing in the shape of a very brief appearance of The Necromancer played by Benedict Cumberbatch (who will also voice Smaug in the next film). For those of you in the know, the true identity of this character is of great significance to the the future fate of Middle Earth. The one ring does feature, and we are reminded with the use of Howard Shore’s beautiful score the burden this discovery will bring.
Ian McKellen once again delivers a flawless performance, it seems he prefers playing the more humourous Gandalf the Grey over the post resurrection Gandalf the White. There was a brief moment when McKellen considered not reprising his role, thankfully he reconsidered as nobody else could have portrayed Gandalf with such depth and pathos.
Occasionally the faster frame rate does show up a few imperfections, we become only too aware at times that some characters are wearing prosthetics and for the slightest of moments Peter Jackson’s magic spell is broken.
It’s difficult to rate any opening chapter in a trilogy until the series is complete, the now standard extended editions released on DVD will be the preferred viewing experience for most of the fans. We can only ponder what new scenes will be included, but until then it’s fair to say that The Hobbit offers the best 3D experience since Avatar and delivers a sweeping fantasy adventure.
You’re enjoyment of this will be reliant on how much you like Lord of the Rings, this might be a lighter story and its focus smaller but the The Middle Earth landscape has never looked more stunning, this is a welcome cinematic return to Tolkien’s work captained by the only man who could bring the story to the big screen.
