The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

RATED PG-13 Released in London 12/14/12

Reviewed 12/15/12 at Obion Marble Arch London with Gary

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET rating system

Gary and I saw this movie in London

and going to a show there is a big contrast to our usual experience at Celebration Cinema in Grand Rapids.

No butter for popcorn. No refills. What's a person to do! This alone might have knocked it down a notch in the ratings. We saw it on Saturday, one day later than the opening, with not many movie goers and seemingly no buzz or hype. Londoners don't seem to get too excited about the cinema, especially their snacks.

The Hobbit had all the quality and specialness of the previous Lord of the Rings trilogy, although due to the heightened "great expectation" some fans might be left disappointed. Brandon was really disappointed because he had read the book and the movie didn't necessarily follow protocol in which it was based. Then there's the disappointing factor that it's only Part 1 of another trilogy. I agree with Brandon - stretching the book into three movies is a bit much.

The movie is set around the exploits of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), uncle to Frodo (Elijah Wood), who makes a brief appearance. Bilbo travels back in time with the writing of his memoir that he is planning to share with Frodo about his first adventure with Gandalf the Great (Ian McKellen), who leads the charge. This revelation exposes the history between the elves and the dwarfs and the relationships and conflicts that go back to the beginning of middle earth. Gandalf gathers a council of 14, unbeknowst to Bilbo, to plan a pilgrimage. Gandalf is faced with great resistance and Baggins wants no part of this adventure. He reluctantly gives in and Bilbo Baggins joins the potpourri of dwarfs that set out to claim their homeland from forces guarding it. They face obstacles, encounter enemies, before they are enemies, including one within their own group. Late in the movie Bilbo encounters Gollum for the first time and of course "The Ring" is introduced as Gollum. The ring and Baggins are destined to be intertwined for a long time to come. Baggins is truly endearing and exceptional with hints of humor throughout. Gary and I both really enjoyed it, but both agree that movies of late are just too long. Two hours should be standard, not the exception. The movie is three hours and it takes two hours to get to the heart of the story. And then to realize there will be two more parts! They might lose fans not wanting to wait for the two remaining installments. Just not the same as the buzz that surrounded the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Be prepared.

QUIET Rating system:  JJJj

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJj