Magneto's Movies
Reel Reviews
Movie: The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey
Release Date: 13 November 2012
Runtime: 169 min
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman...............Bilbo Baggins
Ian McKellen...................Gandalf the Grey
Cate Blanchett.................Galadriel
Hugo Weaving.................Elrond
Christopher Lee...............Saruman the White
Ian Holm..........................old Bilbo Baggins
Elijah Wood.....................Frodo Baggins
Andy Serkis.....................Gollum
Richard Armitage............Thorin Oakenshield
Benedict Cumberbatch.....The Necromancer of Dol Gordur
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Score: 7/10
Pros: -Use of 3D
-Casting and Performances
-References to the Lord of the Ring Trilogy
-Stunning Cinematography
-Nostalgic return to Middle Earth
-Unexpected cameos from Ian Holm,Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee and Elijah Wood
-Gollum performance capture looks advanced
-Humor that doesn't pander to children, but is funny for all ages
Cons:-The long runtime
-Pacing is off at points due to being just a third of the novel the movie adapts
-Focus on scenes outside Bilbo, Gandalf and the Dwarves is dull
Best Scene: Hands down the frame by frame copy of the Riddles in the Dark chapter with Gollum and Bilbo. Andy Serkis delivers a comedic, villainous yet pitiful performance and is aided aptly by the Motion capture technology.
Best Performance: While Andy Serkis was perfect his runtime was less. The ensemble cast was amazing even those with smaller roles such as the Dwarves. The standout however is Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, charming and strong.
Best Dialogue: " I know you
doubt me, I know you always have, and you're right. I often think of Bag
End. I miss my books, and my arm chair, and my garden. See, that's
where I belong; that's home, and that's why I came cause you don't have
one...a home. It was taken from you, but I will help you take it back if
I can." Bilbo Baggins
This week I had the privilege of walking into the cinema and finding myself returned into the world of Middle Earth I fondly remember from The Lord of the Rings movies, books and most importantly that of The Hobbit novel.
The story follows the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he gets the unexpected visit from the wizard Gandalf the Grey, and later a company of thirteen dwarves led by the tough, haunted and brash Thorin Oakenshield. With Bilbo in tow as their 'burglar' they set of to reclaim the dwarf kingdom Erebor from the mighty dragon Smaug. On the way they go through multiple perils including being tracked by the viscous and vengeance bent Orc Azog with his subjects. The movie presents Bilbo's rise from an ordinary Hobbit into the brave adventurer he will eventually become at the end of the trilogy although hints of his corruption within as witnessed by his stealing of the One Ring.
I have to admit, there was a bit of hesitancy on my part to watch this movie due to the books much more childish nature compared to The Lord of The Rings, the fact that it was a first part of a trilogy for a small novel and the mixed reviews in general. I enjoyed this movie, although it does not rank as high as the LOTR trilogy in my book.
One thing that really pulled me in was the sensational cinematography as well as Peter Jackson's vision in bringing Middle Earth back to life. It was a wonder watching this visual spectacle of a movie in 3D, and I haven't seen any movie use the format as perfectly as this one.
Bilbo Baggins heading off on an adventure away from the Shire
Casting was a strong point of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and this is once again evident in The Hobbit. It's understandable to see why Peter Jackson postponed his production so as Martin Freeman would be free of his duties on BBC TV show Sherlock. Freeman is charming, witty and brave, he embodies the reluctance of a Baggins and the adventurist nature of a Took. Excitement flushed within me as I witnessed Freeman play the hero in saving Thorin from Azog's wrath. With this trilogy Freeman could easily establish himself as a star, his acting range being deeper will also allow him to fare much better than his counterpart in Elijah Wood (Frodo).
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
Old cast members return as well, among the entertaining cameos are Frodo, Older Bilbo, Saruman, Galadriel, Elrond but most importantly Gollum. Having mastered performances in motion capture whether it be Kong (King Kong), Caesar (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) or even Gollum previously in LOTR, Andy Serkis nearly steals the show from Freeman in his limited time. The technology also helps with making Gollum look realistic as possible, allowing a range of emotions including puppy dog eyes which allow him mercy from Bilbo after Gollum's killing chase.
Other noteworthy performances come from Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, he brings the wise, lovable yet respected wizard to life once again. His scenes with Cate Blanchett are tender and impact-full. Her's and Christopher Lee's Saruman provide an insight into the darker times that will befall in the LOTR trilogy.
While they are constantly on screen, it his hard to distinguish the dwarves from one another. As with the book, none of the other twelve dwarves are given in depth characterizations. This is a disappointment as with three movies, it would have been nice if they were established further apart from their use in providing wisdom and comedy. Chief among these dwarves is Thorin Oakenshield, their leader, as played by Richard Armitage.
Thorin's characterization is a soft blend of Boromir and Aragorn, and while Armitage is unable to top either Sean Bean or Viggo Mortensen, he provides an effective supporting performance. The inclusion of a sub-plot regarding his rivalry with an orc warrior in Azog, gives Armitage range in playing towards emotion of guilt and desperation for having lost so many dwarves as leader and having been unable till now to reclaim his throne. This will add layers to him in the sequels once he becomes the dwarf king with his misjudged hatred for the Elves hesitance in helping his people earlier against Smaug.
While a bit self indulgent for Peter Jackson, it is fun to see allusions made to the Lord of The Rings Trilogy. The cameos aside, there is bearing witness of evil lurking within Saruman as he dismisses the idea of the rise of the dark power in Dol Gordur as witnessed by the hilarious Sylvester McCoy playing Radagast the Brown. It was fun to hear the audience cheer the words 'ring' and 'gollum' as soon as they made there appearance in the dank cave scene prior to the Riddle Game. A noticeable easter egg was the ending where we witness the vast gold in Erebor and Smaug buried underneath it slumbering until his eye opens, mirroring the eye of Sauron. Which brings to the most enticing link to the LOTR trilogy, none other than the appearance of The necromancer of Dol Gordur who Tolkein book fans will already know as none other than...nope not revealing it!!! This role played by Benedict Cumberbatch (another member of Sherlock) who will also play Smaug in the coming sequels.
Benedict Cumberbatch will have a banner year in 2013 playing Smaug and Necromancer as well as another villain in Star Trek: Into Darkness
A few problems with this movie are it's run time and poor pacing which can be all pointed towards the fact that the Hobbit is being turned into a trilogy when essentially the book itself is pretty small. This is the reason as to why the movie simply feels like a teaser for the coming sequel at some points. Blame for this can be placed on the production/distribution companies who must feel the cashiers ringing as three movies will make the possibility of earning more money higher. As to why audiences would act stupid like me to shell money for three movies is simple: nostalgia in witnessing middle earth and the exciting allusion given of with a teaser of Smaug provided in the fast paced opening scene of the raid on Erebor.
Overall the movie is entertaining to watch and unlike the children's novel will also be a spectacle for adults to witness especially in 3D. Though it get's a tad too long and takes off to the main plot really slowly, the movie ends up being a thrilling ride. Performances are top notch and the sequels will bring more with the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch (Smaug and Necromancer), Luke Evans (Bard the Bowman) and Orlando Bloom (Legolas) joining the fray. It doesn't top Fellowship of the Ring but induces it's own quirky charm and excites me for the follow on in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Biblo among the gold of Erebor in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
'Nuff Said
Aneesh Raikundalia
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