The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyMovie Reviews

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Must Go!
Written December 27, 2012
Great movie AND great adaptation

by spideyca

To all those who say that Peter Jackson should shorten the movies, I point out all the dreck that has been produced in the past and has absolutely taken the soul out of the movie (Da Vinci Code anyone ...). The movie is magnificent, the backgrounds are superb and the action is exactly what you expect. If you have see The Lord of The Rings Trilogy but did not read the books, then this explains much of the background ... if, like me, you read all the books a long time ago then the movies paint and reinforce the images in your mind ... Love the movie and cannot wait for the next part ...
- 10 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 6, 2013
Book fans will love it.

by jfwag3

Despite the poor critic reviews this is a very entertaining movie. Despite a few artistic liberties not found in the book the movie holds your attention and keeps you entertained. If you enjoyed the book watch the movie.
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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No
Written December 16, 2012
Oh, dear...

by larryc

Not at all accurate. The moivie has too much motion and detail...not enough plot and depth development. Like the movie, "Return of the King," this 1st half installment had so much potential...but was left to the Spielberg/Indiana Jones visual effects team. I was waiting for Eewoks to pop out somewhere. JarJar Binks, why have you forsaken us? Azog never chased the dwarves into the forest. Bad, bad story line. Same with Radagast - he never encountered the Necromancer or the King of Angmar. A land sled pulled by jackalopes? Fer cryin' out loud.

Read the books and let your imagination take it from there. Leave the special effects to Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

by Wanda0161

Enjoyed the movie. Excited to see some returning characters especially Gandalf. Acting was great. Was surprised by some of the humorous additions but feel it didn't take away too much from the film. Definitely recommend for others to see.
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written December 27, 2012
Great movie; too stretched out

by fandangeroo

The movie was great. I liked the tie-in to LOTR in the beginning. I would have preferred the Hobbit be two movies vs the trilogy. I like long movies, but this one felt way too long because there were too many scenes that were too drawn out. A long movie is fine if it's filled with action- this movie is not. Goblins looked too much like orks... I would have preferred some more differences.
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written December 16, 2012
A Welcome Return to Middle Earth

by mvgr

This was my first 3D film and I was blown away by the effects! Unfortunately, I was not equally blown away by the script. I found the film a bit ponderous at times. I also thought some of the devices a bit 21st century and not at all Middle Earthly. However, all in all, I enjoyed this welcome return to Middle Earth.
- 8 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 19, 2012
The Hobbit

by

Went to the midnight showing and was definitely worth it! Same feel as the Lord of the Rings. Will be going to see it at the movies again!!
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Bilbo is my hero! "The Hobbit"

by

If you are like me (a 70s baby) and you remember the hobbit cartoon and the books we read, then you should've been front and center at every Lord of the Rings showing and you should've been front and center yesterday for The Hobbit. I have a Lord of the Rings weekend so often that i did not realize "Return of the King" came out 9 years ago! I had to laugh at myself.
So to the review:
Go see "The Hobbit"! I love the way that the story is told, most recent and then a 60 year flashback! I was thinking "damn Gollum/Smeagle has been trying to get that ring back for 60 years?" Wow! The special effects were on point! No disappointment here at all. I now see why there was tension with Gimley towards Lagolus - very good Dwarf/Elf/Hobbit tale. I'm telling you if you are a fan of the story - GO SEE IT! I always get a message of hope and faith from all of these movies! I find myself tearing up because I see "Have faith! Don't give up!" in every storyline.
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written December 15, 2012
Not the Lord of the Rings but not bad either

by HoodCritic1

I was very much excited for "The Hobbit" but I was disappointed because I was expecting Peter Jackson to deliver another Oscar-caliber Middle Earth motion picture. Maybe my expectations were too high and the fault could have been mine but nevertheless, "The Hobbit" was fun. I thought Jackson did a good job in balancing the new characters with the familiar and it felt similar to "The Fellowship of the Ring" in terms of a collection of warriors off on an exciting journey to defeat a powerful evil but Bilbo and the collection of dwarves aren't the same as Frodo and his fellowship. It leaves a lot of room to improve in the upcoming movies but it isn't a bad start to a new franchise.
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 2, 2013
Run Don't Walk to see The Hobbit

by TheatreXX

This was my second time seeing the Hobbit:AUJ. First time I saw it was in 3-D awesome, this past time I saw it was regular, and I will see it again. I have seen all the Hobbit movies and I am there biggest fan!
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Written December 24, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Story

by

Peter Jackson (Philippa Boyen, Fran Walsh, and surprisingly Guillermo del Toro) definitely re-envisioned this classic story. Like many movie franchises these days,the actual story is divided into three different movies. The story is told differently, perhaps more expansively than the novel. And it definitely has more of a modern take with the dialog and characters. Cameos from several of the main characters from the first three movies ease you into the story that occurs some 60 years before the start of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Martin Freeman nails the role of Bilbo and gives a great performance as the prudent, self-effacing hobbit who makes the choice to join the dwarves' quest. Richard Armitage is also excellent as Thorin Oakenshield. The music, the beauty of the New Zealand landscape are on full display, yet it's still the quest and character interaction that anchors it all. It's a rollicking beginning to the prequel and a 3 hour journey, but one that holds your heart.
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 2, 2013
THE HOBBIT IS PURE MAGIC

by JEEKS52

We just saw The Hobbit - based on one of my all-time favorite books. Reviews of The Hobbit criticized the 48fr version and commented that the show was a bit slow and dull due to the fact that they are making 3 movies out of one book. With Lord of the Rings they made 3 movies out of 3 large books. I enjoyed the LOTR movies but felt that they were all about battles but not about the wonderful poetry and mysticism in the books.
However, in my humble opinion - by telling the story of one book in 3 movies, Peter Jackson has given himself the screen time to bring in the poetry and mysticism of the book in a way that never happened in the LOTR movies. I was very surprised to find that I loved The Hobbit from first frame to last. We saw Lincoln a few days ago and as much as I love that movie - I love The Hobbit even more. I've got to back to hear Thorin sing "The Lonely Mountain Song" one more time. And it will be the IMAX version.
- 16 out of 26 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 4, 2013
The Hobbit

by dejla

This is exactly what I wanted to see when they turned The Hobbit into a movie -- I didn't know it at the time, but I know it now.

The casting was perfect. I had no problem at all with the inserted scenes -- it gave me more of Middle-Earth and I could have sat there for another hour and not minded.
- 8 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 20, 2012
Great movie. Beautiful scenery

by _action_movie_buff

Be prepared for a long film. With previews it was three hours. This was an excellent film. There were a few slow moments and some that parts of the film that could have been shorter but the scenery and the characters made up for these areas. The cinematography was amazing and makes you realize how beautiful New Zealand is. If you are a fan of the books then this is a must see as it follows the book very closely.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written January 7, 2013
It will stand the test of time.

by catmint3

I admit it has to be seen, it IS Tolkien and will remain a classic. It is well done and I look forward to the remaining 2 in the series. It is rich eye candy true but I also agree the fight scenes are over-done. They are long, especially running to get away from the Orks. I wouldn't have thought the Hobbit needed 3 movies as compared to the LOR but I guess it does...love the actors. Saw it in the new Living Room setting theater and had a salad, it was great!
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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