3 stars (out of four)
Director Peter Jackson returns to Middle Earth with The
Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, an
adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s charming and durable 1937 novel The
Hobbit, and a prequel to The Lord
of the Rings. Much like the Lord
of the Rings movies, An
Unexpected Journey is a rousing epic, a
stirring human drama and a breathtaking advertisement for New Zealand tourism.
Though not quite the sprawling masterpiece each of those earlier films is, this
is an entertaining movie that occasionally reaches greatness and comes very
close to being satisfying as a standalone film.
This is the first in a trilogy, however, so though our
heroes have climbed mountains, crossed valleys, scuttled through untold numbers
of underground passageways and fought many foes over the course of more than
two-and-a-half hours, they have apparently only just begun.
We have already seen (and, if you are like me, committed to
memory) the daring adventure of Frodo Baggins, a lowly hobbit from the small
village of Hobbiton, who saved all of Middle Earth from certain doom with a
little help from his friends. The Hobbit
tells the story of his uncle, Bilbo Baggins, a fellow adventurer who embarked
on his own journey some sixty years earlier. In a prologue that runs
surprisingly long, we see an aged Bilbo (Ian Holm, reprising his role) sitting
down to write his memoirs in his quaint hobbit hole while Frodo (Elijah Wood
making a cameo appearance) peeps over his shoulder.
As the old Bilbo narrates, we see his younger self (played
to perfection by Martin Freeman) being visited by the wizard Gandalf (a sublime
Ian McKellen slipping back into the role) who asks him very kindly if he would
like to go on an adventure. Bilbo scoffs at the suggestion. An adventure? He
would like no part in that. Few things are more unpredictable and uncomfortable
than adventures and he would much prefer to stay home and enjoy his supper.
But Gandalf, of course, has already decided for him. In a
delightful sequence – and the highlight of the film – Bilbo is visited
by not one, not two or seven, but thirteen dwarves. They raid his pantries,
serve themselves a feast and make plans for a great quest. They seek to travel
to the Lonely Mountain, once a stronghold of the dwarves, to reclaim their land
and their treasure from a terrible dragon named Smaug. Gandalf has informed the
dwarves that Bilbo is to be their burglar. Naturally, this upsets Bilbo very
much.
Though The Lord of the Rings is rich with stories of revenge and loyalty, vices and virtues, I
relate more closely with The Hobbit
than with any part of that great saga. I see more than a little of myself in
Bilbo Baggins and I sympathize with his reaction to all this excitement. I love
an impromptu plan but I need to be coaxed into it. Left to my own devices I
would probably stay at home most nights, likely watching The Lord of
the Rings or wasting away the hours on
something equally unsociable.
So I connect deeply to the story of a fellow homebody who is
begrudgingly pushed out the door, gets into all kinds of messes and ultimately
winds up having a good time. In Tolkien’s novel, that story is told from point
of view of Bilbo, who is alternately awestruck, amused, frightened and
exhausted by all this adventuring.
An Unexpected Journey,
on the other hand, takes on a broader perspective. Written by Peter Jackson,
Fran Walsh (Mr. Jackson’s wife), Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro, the
script finds time to chase tangents and develop backstories that flesh out the
expansive world of Middle Earth and its history. We meet Radagast (Sylvester
McCoy) an eccentric, animal-loving wizard who discovers something dark brewing
in his beloved woods. Whispers spread that a dark sorcerer named the
Necromancer is raising the dead.
We also learn about the dark past of Thorin Oakenshield
(Richard Armitage), the dwarf leader of the expedition, who long ago tangled
with the Pale Orc in battle and lost many loved ones to that foul creature’s
sword. Though believed to be dead, the Pale Orc may in fact still be alive and
looking to finish what he started.
There is a lot to absorb in this first movie and most of it
is fascinating but the trouble with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is that it gets so caught up in the journey that it
often forgets the hobbit. As expected, the action is superbly
choreographed and the effects are stunning across the board. But poor Bilbo is
sidelined for lengthy passages and the movie suffers as a result. His exclusion
from many scenes is also unusual considering Bilbo himself is supposed to be
telling this tale. I find it difficult to believe this adventurer would leave
himself out of the main action of his own story.
As grand as Peter Jackson’s canvas is, the story needs
Bilbo’s humble perspective to anchor it and give the audience someone to
identify with. During more than one of the many battle scenes that transpire
during the film’s ungainly 169 minutes, I found myself wishing I was cozying up
in some corner of my hobbit hole – that is to say, my living room – underneath
a warm blanket away from all this tiresome noise and commotion.
But when Bilbo does get screen time, as he does in his
encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis in another stellar motion-capture
performance), the movie comes alive. Martin Freeman’s performance is the heart,
soul and saving grace of the film. He is a gifted comic actor who wonderfully
navigates the many hesitations, prejudices, preoccupations and contradictions
of the cautious but brave hobbit. Ian McKellen, who still has the ability
to turn a scene with a single look, is also an invaluable presence in the
movie.
There are a number of pitch perfect moments when An
Unexpected Journey captures the blissful
whimsy of Tolkien’s novel. Just as often, however, this lighter side takes a
backseat as Peter Jackson flexes his epic filmmaking muscles. By the time the
credits rolled, I was plenty ready for a break from Middle Earth. That was more
than enough adventure for one evening, thank you very much.
- Steve Avigliano, 12/15/12
On a side note, this movie is being shown in a number of different formats, including 3D and something called HFR (higher frame rate). The movie was filmed at 48 frames per second (twice as fast as the usual 24 fps) and if projected at that speed is supposed look more realistic.
I saw it in regular old 2D and enjoyed it but these websites were very helpful in making that decision. This one rates the 3D version and this one talks about the HFR version.
On a side note, this movie is being shown in a number of different formats, including 3D and something called HFR (higher frame rate). The movie was filmed at 48 frames per second (twice as fast as the usual 24 fps) and if projected at that speed is supposed look more realistic.
I saw it in regular old 2D and enjoyed it but these websites were very helpful in making that decision. This one rates the 3D version and this one talks about the HFR version.
