DVD Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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And to think we're only 1/3 of the way done with this.
 
I have had quite a dilemma on my hands with it comes to seeing The Hobbit. First and foremost, I love The Lord of the Rings. I think they are a perfect example of  great books being adapted into a great films. I never tire of watching them. Then there's The Hobbit. A book that I barely finished and a cartoon adaptation that was horrible. Needless to say, I didn't race out to see The Hobbit when it hit theaters. I think I made the right call.
 
When Gandalf (Ian McKellen) commissions Bilbo Bagins (Martin Freeman) to go on an adventure with him, Bilbo tries to ignore it. Then 13 Dwarves show up at his door and he is thrust into their travels to reclaim a lost Dwarf kingdom. Along the way there are dangers, some familiar faces, and some new ones.
 
Look, parts of The Hobbit I really enjoyed. Freeman and McKellen, the outstanding score, the occasional laughs, and the bit of nostalgia I got seeing Rivendale, Smeagal/Gollum, and the sign on the front of the Baggins' house in the prologue. My main issue here is the length. This is a three hour movie in which nothing happens.  The other LOTR movies were long, but by the end I felt they had at least accomplished something. I think it's a mistake to drag this out between 3 movies for one book. Even if they are adding other parts of Middle Earth we heard about, but never saw. (Yes, it's cool to see those brought to life, but do they really enhance the story?) I stop short of calling this movie bad, it's just flawed in it's length, and the fact that the Dwarves just really aren't that interesting. I felt invested in the characters of the fellowship. These guys, not so much.
 
I think if you're a fan of the LOTR series, you probably should see The Hobbit just to get the full experience. But this film is a marathon, and I can only hope parts 2 and 3 are a bit more exciting.
 
Recommended: Yes, for LOTR fans
 
Grade: C+
 
Memorable Quote: "I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure." - Gandolf (Ian McKellen)

Comments

  1. m.brownApril 17, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    I'm 100% with you, here.

    The emotional connection to these characters simply wasn't there. I think the only time my give-a-shit meter moved was when one of the LOTR characters showed up. But knowing their fate already dampened my enthusiasm.

    Oh well. It could've been worse.

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  2. s.April 17, 2013 at 3:52 PM

    I think they should stop at 2 movies. Those trolls and that talking crap hunting them were silly and there was no sense of danger. But I did like the three main performances, the score and Armitage who is seriously the only hot dwarf I've seen. My God, this man. But I couldn't even name the other ones in the group, after FotR I knew all of those characters so well.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 18, 2013 at 8:33 AM

      I had to look up which Dwarf that was. The only one I can remember is the one that sort of looked like Gimli. I think his name was "Sort of looked like Gimli"

      Delete
  3. JoshApril 17, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    I agree on the length, which is my biggest issue with the film. "And to think we're only 1/3 of the way done with this." Haha, that says it all.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 18, 2013 at 8:34 AM

      When I first heard it was going to be split into three movies, I assumed the 2nd one would be nothing but filler. If the first film wasn't filler, I'm afraid to see what the rest of it is like.

      Delete
  4. ruthApril 18, 2013 at 10:51 PM

    As a fan of LOTR and Richard Armitage, I enjoyed this far more than you. But I hear ya about the length, I think it comes down to whether people are immersed in this Tolkien universe or not. I do agree that I was more invested in the LOTR characters but it was enough for me here to want to know more about their journey.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 19, 2013 at 10:18 AM

      Yes, fans of Tolkien will definitely like it more. I just never could get into The Hobbit as a book, either. I'll still see the next few installments for Martin Freeman though.

      Delete

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