For many film fans, the journey to Middle Earth ended in 2003. Of course, there was always hope that The Hobbit would be adapted into a film, but nobody ever thought it would actually happen. It goes without saying that we were all pleasantly surprised when Peter Jackson decided to make not one, but THREE films out of what is generally considered a childrens' book.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first chapter in The Hobbit film trilogy, and is the story of a dwarf named Bilbo Baggins who sets out with the dwarves of Erebor to help them reclaim their homeland. I have heard complaints from many film fans that this film does not feel like The Lord of the Rings. My response is that it is not supposed to. This film takes place sixty years prior, and it is before the darkness of Mordor begins to sweep through Middle Earth. This entire trilogy is about Bilbos' adventures as a young man, and because of that, this film and the other two have a completely different feel to them. I actually love the fact that, as far as this film trilogy goes, Bilbo (Martin Freeman) is recalling his adventures as he is writing them in his book. The film starts out with him getting ready for his 111th birthday, and Frodo (Elijah Wood) going off to surprise Gandalf (Ian McKellen), and it is quite wonderful to see these Lord of the Rings alumni back in this small scene. For all intents and purposes, Bilbo is not the main character of this story. That part falls to Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Doing this actually works for these movies because we are essentially seeing the story unfold through Bilbos' eyes. I also love that the songs from the book are incorporated into the film. I am a big fan of Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold, and it is delightful to hear it in the film. Seeing Rivendell appear again is a sight that will bring tears to your eyes, as will the appearance of the eagles at the end of the film. My only complaint about the film would be that it feels like Bilbo decides to go with Gandalf and the dwarves too quickly. A solid portion of the film shows that Bilbo is dedicated to staying at home, and then out of nowhere he decides to go along. I would have perhaps liked to have seen a sequence where Gandalf persuades Bilbo to go. Other than that, this is a magical film that will take your breath away with every shot, and remind you why you love Middle Earth so much.
Martin Freeman plays a young Bilbo Baggins. What Freeman does in the film, and the entire trilogy, is quite incredible because he completely disappears into the character. I do not see Martin Freeman. I see Martin Freeman playing a young Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins, right down to the body language and the way he delivers the dialogue. At times, I personally am brought to tears because of how moving his performance is. When he yells, "I'm going on an adventure!" you cannot help but smile and get excited. Freeman brilliantly captures the essence of Bilbo throughout the entire trilogy.
Peter Jackson is the director of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Jackson does a magnificent job bringing you back to the world of Middle Earth. There are epic shots of the landscapes, and the attention to detail in the costumes, makeup and sets are exquisite. He also does an annoyingly good job at giving us glimpses of Smaug without actually letting us see what he looks like. There are a number of sequences in the film that are quite memorable. I love everything that takes place in Goblintown. The attention to detail and the visual effects are breathtaking. Goblintown feels very much like an underground part of Middle Earth that no one dares to enter. There is a grittiness that feels unpleasant. Also, the pivotal scene between Bilbo and Gollum (Andy Serkis) feels like it is ripped from the pages of the book. It is humorous and tense at the same time, and it feels like you are watching theatre. This is also probably Serkis' best performance as Gollum. For me personally, though, the best scene in the film is when Gandalf, Saruman (Christopher Lee) and Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) are discussing the darkness that is beginning to spread through Middle Earth. Each character has a different point of view on the subject, and they all have opinions about the graveness of the situation. The characters argue, but are never angry. The dialog is crisp and the acting is superb. You also get just a hint of the kind of character Saruman will become. Peter Jackson has not lost one step since he last brought us to Middle Earth.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey gives you a wonderful return to Middle Earth. However, because of the story, some things feel similar while others feel quite different. If you enjoyed The Lord of the Rings movies, you will absolutely fall in love with this film.
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