“Bilbo Baggins, I am looking for someone to share in an adventure with…”
With this soon to be iconic line, the adventure of The Hobbit begins. The Hobbit proves that Peter Jackson really is the only man who should do Middle Earth. Guillermo Del Toro flirted with directing and that was interesting but when it finally went back to Jackson, I knew it was in good hands.
My faith well placed and having wondered if lightning could ever possibly strike twice, I found out that it really can. And it can be something special by its own right, separate from its older sibling that people still swoon over today. Despite LOTR being the epic behemoth that it is, The Hobbit feels like quite a different beast completely. LOTR was very much a story of a difficult quest, where the stakes were much higher and the tone decidedly darker. The Hobbit feels much more like classic fantasy, in that it takes you on a magical adventure. That is where the film’s strength lies: in its ability to transport you to Middle Earth much like LOTR did but with a different mood and tone.
As with LOTR, the scale is quite magnificent. The beautiful surroundings of New Zealand perfectly capture the fantastical setting of Middle Earth, from the rolling hills of the Shire to the endless mountain ranges of the Misty Mountains. This helps enhance the experience as the reliance on photography makes the experience feel both real yet magical.
One part of the visual experience that struck me was the colour. In The Hobbit, colour is incredibly vibrant, the mixtures of green and oranges enhance the feeling of magic making Middle Earth seem even more mythical. This vibrancy often contrasts with the darker tones and more serious matter of the LOTR saga.
The basic premise is that Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, is invited on an adventure by the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves to reclaim their homeland from the evil dragon Smaug. Jackson, however, makes it much deeper than that by delving into not only the original book but also other elements of Tolkein lore. This is a make or break decision as if this is not done well it could ruin the entire storyline. Fear not, the story is woven seamlessly into the rest of Tolkein’s world, providing you with a much more detailed adventure into the world of Middle Earth.
Martin Freeman is superb as Bilbo. The journey from the simple Hobbit of the Shire to the brave adventurer is managed wonderfully. He provides subtle humour and inspirational courage. However, the real fun of the film comes from the Dwarves. Thirteen separate Dwarves each with their own unique personality provide the true soul to the film. Only a third of the way through the trilogy, I have already developed a real attachment to the characters, similar to the love fans have for the Fellowship in LOTR. You will laugh, shout and cry as you feel for these characters as they fight for their home.
Of course, the returning characters are on top form. Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving are just as memorable in reprising their classic roles. As with LOTR, Jackson has been meticulous with choosing the right actors to play the right roles. Each actor portrays their character uniquely creating a whole mixture of personalities that add warmth to the film.
Obviously, there are still some potential knocks in the road. There is much scope for the trilogy to go off course. Unlike LOTR, this film will not please all. There will be some who, like I do, find it to be a true adventure where the film much like the book grabs you by the hand and takes you to a completely new world. However, some people may prefer the greater seriousness of LOTR and may dislike the comparison.
Before you go into the film, the best thing you can do is forget LOTR and get lost once more into the world of Middle Earth. It’s filled with memorable moments that had me as overwhelmed as LOTR did. It’s an adventure that you should not miss out on!
My Rating: 4.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Average: 3.2/5
Alex Phelps, Online Games Editor
exeposedev 