The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Director:  Peter Jackson

First, I’ll admit I’m among the legion of fans that loved Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.  I was thrilled to hear he would be taking another tour back to Middle Earth with The Hobbit.  I’ll admit I was concerned when I read that he would be making The Hobbit into three installments.  I thought he might be stretching out a story that wouldn’t support the great length.  Similar to the Star Wars prequels, I was afraid the movies would feel longer than they should.  However, I knew Peter Jackson was at the helm and would always give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to movies set in Tolkien’s world. 

He didn’t disappoint.  Understandably, the movie goes to great effort to tie the look, feel, and action to an extension of Lord of the Rings.  More so that the Star Wars prequels, which were made over twenty years after the originals, The Hobbit feels like it could have been made immediately after, with the special effects and visuals fitting right in with the original trilogy.  These don’t feel miles apart. 

As for the story, Jackson does stop and linger when he gets a chance.  This was most apparent near the start of the film as the dwarfs arrive for the first time at Bilbo’s place before setting out on their mission.  It dwells, but it is still entertaining.  Jackson’s commitment to the whole world of Tolkien, down to the smallest details, is a large part of what made the original trilogy so great and it does the same for this new movie. 

I won’t get into the story line because you probably either know it by now or wouldn’t want any spoilers, except to say that Bilbo, Gandalf (the great Ian McKellen) and the company of dwarves set off on a journey into the harsh lands of Middle Earth to reclaim the home of the dwarves. 

Jackson brings back many familiar faces in addition to Gandalf, including Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving), and Elijah Wood (Frodo…yes Frodo, you’ll see how it works).  The show is stolen though by the return of Gollum (Andy Serkis again), who in about twenty minutes of screen time makes a huge impression and sets up key story elements. 

 I do agree with those who might say that The Hobbit felt like more of the same, which I think is an incredibly good thing.  I hope he can keep it interesting for the next two films, but I don’t doubt it at all.  What makes me nervous is when he makes a movie outside of Middle Earth. For Peter Jackson, when Tolkien is involved, he’s right at home.  That is a very good thing for the movie lovers out there.

As a final note, I saw this movie with my son who is seven.  He loved it.  It was a moment that I can’t get enough of, seeing him actually being drawn into a movie and engaged at his fullest.  I cherish memories like this and The Hobbit was the first time (in a live action movie at least) where I saw him fully amazed.  I think that counts for something very big.