Readers of the print version of Filmbobbery may recall that I was never excited about any of the Lord of the Rings movies. I gave them all three stars because they are all obviously well produced and delivered what they promised, but they are the kind of fantasy for which I simply have no fascination. The same holds true for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of three films based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s preface to his Lord of the Rings trilogy. That being said, however, I must admit that I actually enjoyed The Hobbit more than I ever liked any of the other Rings adventures.
Peter Jackson was finally coerced into making the prequel to the impossibly popular Lord of the Rings trilogy, and he responded by diving into the project so deeply that he is creating another trilogy from the single book. I don’t know that it needs to be a trilogy, but I was thoroughly entertained by the dwarves, elves, hobbits and wizards who populate this movie. All but Gollum, whom I have never been willing to tolerate. Gollum is an integral character, I know, but I cannot stand the sight or voice of him. Especially the voice. And during the riddle sequence, I couldn’t understand what he was growling half the time. He’s just creepy.
The dwarves who wish to reclaim their homeland, however, are not creepy. They are noble, funny, even adorable at times. Of the dozen or so who trek across Middle Earth, about half of them develop strong, identifiable personalities that kept my interest in the story. And Martin Freeman as the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, reluctantly brought along by the wizard Gandalf (the rock solid Ian McKellen), never exhibits the crybaby tendencies that made me loathe Frodo in the trilogy. He is a much more resourceful character, one whom I respect.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is not without its faults — the fighting rock monster scene is laughable and serves no point that I can tell, for one — but I enjoyed watching this movie and am actually looking forward to seeing more. I love the music in this one, particularly the “Misty Mountains” song that is later interwoven throughout Howard Shore’s impressive instrumental score. I’ve never seen any of the Rings films again, but I would certainly revisit this Hobbit adventure, and warmly recommend it to everyone. ☆ ☆ ☆. 1 January 2013.
Incidentally, I saw this at regular projection speed, not the special 48 frames per second version that selected theatres are showing. If and when I see that version, I’ll discuss it in the Forum.