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- Review count1
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- First reviewJanuary 12, 2013
- Last reviewJanuary 12, 2013
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Ringbearer's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
PostedJanuary 12, 2013
Ringbearer
from White Plains, NY, USA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
4
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5
Special Effects
5
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5
Art Direction
5
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5
Acting
5
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5
Story
5
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5
Camerawork
4
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5
This is a great movie for fans of fantasy/sci-fi and epic adventures, particularly those who enjoyed the Lord of the Rings movies and Tolkien's books. And although it's really a prequel to the LOTR, I'd recommend seeing those movies first - some of the same character's appear, and the significance of the events that take place in The Hobbit (such as Bilbo finding the "One Ring") is better understood by knowing what follows.
I like how this movie begins at the same time as the LOTR trilogy did, with the older Bilbo Baggins and his nephew Frodo - played by the original actors. But then, while the LOTR continued the story from that point, the Hobbit flashes back 60 years in time, as Bilbo recounts his "unexpected journey". The intro also includes a brief history of significant events in Middle Earth, to set up the subsequent story.
While the stakes are not as high in the Hobbit as they were in the LOTR (saving the world from evil), many of the themes and messages are the same - e.g. the importance of loyalty and honor, desire to be noble and good, and the courage and faith to pursue those goals. And the eponymous "Hobbit" - Bilbo Baggins is a great embodiment of these qualities. While small in stature, peaceful in nature, and not inclined toward adventure, we get to see him rise to the occasion and surprise even himself by what he can accomplish. Initially armed with only his good nature and desire to be helpful as his moral compass, and heart and conviction as his weapons, he is gradually transformed by circumstances to become heroic. For as Galadriel will later say to Frodo in the LOTR "even the smallest person can change the course of the future".
The acting is all top notch, most notably Martin Freeman as the hobbit and Ian Mckellen reprising his role as Gandalf the wizard. We also get to see other familiar characters such as the elves Elrond and Galadriel, and Saruman the wizard. And one of the highlights is the first appearance of the tragic and disturbed Gollum, who has an encounter with Bilbo that will have larger implications than either of them can imagine, as anyone who has seen the LOTR knows. The visuals and scenery are amazing and really need to be seen on the big screen to be appreciated. And the new HFR format, which has received mixed reviews, looked great to me. It's like watching HD TV but made even better being three dimensional. The music was also excellent, capturing the same mood and complimenting the action as it did in the LOTR movies.
Overall, this is a great movie going experience. For those like me who've read the book, the suspense will not be experienced the same as for those who haven't, of course. But it's nice to see the story come to life and to see that it follows the book closely for the most part (some additional material was also added from Tolkien's other stories of Middle Earth). Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Pros great story, great actors, great visuals, great music
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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