The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit is quite simply brilliant. Nothing more needs to be said. I highly recommend it and give it four big buckets of Killer Korn.



The Hobbit is quite simply, one amazing roller coaster ride. When the last Lord of the Rings movie hit the theaters there was talk about The Hobbit and who would direct it. The studio claimed it did NOT want Peter Jackson at the helm at ALL. Peter's fight was for what I think was money, I'm not quite sure, you can look that up but basically the two sides were at war with one another. It was all folly because who was the studio going to get to direct The Hobbit other than the mad New Zealander who brought the fantastic LOTR trilogy to the screen? NO one. Sure, there was talk of Guillermo Del Toro, the very talented director who gave us Hell Boy I and II, Pans Labyrinth, and the soon to be released sci-fi epic Pacific Rim but it would have paled in comparison to Jackson's movie. I'm certain of it, though in all fairness Guillermo does get a writers credit on The Hobbit so he was in some way responsible for what's seen on the screen. And what's seen on the screen will literally take your breath away.

The movie starts off right where the first LOTR movie starts and yes there is a cameo of Elijah Wood reprising his role as Frodo. It starts off with Frodo wanting to meet Gandalf, played again by Ian McKellen, as he approaches the shire with his wagon of fireworks for Bilbo's Party. Then the movie transports you 60 years into the past and we see a young Bilbo, played charmingly by Martin Freeman smoking his pipe as Gandalf appears. He wants Bilbo to join him on an adventure and of course the comfortable and frightened of his own shadow Bilbo declines. Gandalf seems to leave him alone until the dwarfs come knocking and once they are in Bilbo's house, all hell breaks loose. These dwarfs aren't you ordinary dwarfs however, one of them happens to be heir to the throne of Erebor, the great dwarf kingdom the resided in the lonely mountain, that was until the all powerful dragon Smaug took the kingdom and all it's gold for himself. That heir is Thorin, played with such passion and conviction by Richard Armitage that it seems like he could convince you to pick up arms and fight with him.

The other 13 dwarfs are for too numerous to name but they are quite the lot and they will follow their rightful King anywhere. Gandalf was tasked to find the 14th member of their group and he's chosen Bilbo. At first his reasoning is because hobbits have the ability to go unseen if they choose and the group needs a burglar but later on it's revealed why Gandalf really chose Bilbo and it's a heartfelt moment between him and Cate Blanchett who reprises her role as Galadriel from the LOTR trilogy. The dwarfs, Bilbo, and Gandalf set out to recapture Erebor from Smog and return Thorin to the throne as King but before they can do that, they must do battle with armies of Orcs, trolls, their own insecurities, and Bilbo's self doubt which is pretty significant. It's not until Bilbo finds something that allows his confidence to grow and allows him to truly become part of the team...and I think you know what that thing is.

The Hobbit is a visual spectacle and the software created by Peter Jackson's Weta Digital put in some serious overtime. The visual effects were dizzying, the 3D was amazing, and the shots of New Zealand that once again play the part of Middle Earth were breathtaking. I beg of you, if you are going to see this movie, do your best to see it in IMAX 3D and if you can't, at least see it in 3D, you will NOT be sorry. The wonderful thing about this film though as opposed to a few prior "visual feasts for the eyes"films I've blogged about, this one brings you that emotional impact those others lacked. You feel for Thorin and his band and when he stands up and walks towards his nemesis in slow motion, it's a thing of emotional beauty. And the wondrous score by the award winning Howard Shore also helps with that. Howard's score is perfect, simply pitch perfect in every way. If you were waiting for a 3D movie that is well worth the price of admission then this is it. I can't wait for part two, I wish it came out tomorrow. Get a ticket, get in line, and you just might see me on that line and if not, I'll definitely see you at the theater.