The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyMovie Reviews

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So-so
Written December 15, 2012
Nowhere Near As Good as LOTR.

by Choosy Beggar

The Hobbit is a long movie, and it feels long. In LOTR, Jackson brought in a little of the back story from the Silmarillion (which is a complete history of Middle Earth, and reads like a dusty history book...) to add some needed context and the Aragorn/Arwen love story. In The Hobbit, Jackson brings in far too much, and invents far too much. Somewhere around the two and a half hour mark, I was wondering, "is this movie ever going to end?"
My biggest beef is that he deviated from the book in far too many places. The main villain in the movie isn't even in the book! Most of the core scenes from the book were changed quite a bit.
For parents, this movie is much more violent than LOTR.
Rather than making two GREAT movies about the Hobbit, Peter Jackson has decided to make three mediocre movies, leaving the heart of the book in the screen writer's wastebasket. Three movies makes more money than two. Very disappointing.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 28, 2012
Those who know the book will not like the movie

by jtcutillo

Although there are wonderful scenes and Bilbo is fantastic, the movie has way too many new characters and scenes that are not part of the book. Very disappointing if you read the book.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 31, 2012
A great adventure

by tracylynh

My family and I were really looking forward to his movie and it didn't disappoint. An almost 3 hour movie moved swiftly taking us along for quite the adventure. My 13 year old daughter enjoyed it as much as the adults. Great story, great actors and Gullom is better than ever. Can't wait for the 2nd and the 3rd!! Must see in theater to really appreciate the sounds and visuals!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written January 3, 2013
Worth the price of admission

by velda

I'll admit that I am not an extremely knowledgeable Hobbit/Lord of the Rings person, although I've previously watched and enjoyed the trilogy. With that said, I found a few yawning moments during the early part of the film, but everything picked up for me as soon as Bilbo's journey began. It's definitely visually stunning and the action was engrossing although leading to a predictable end. The special effects combined with Andy Serkis' portrayal of Gollum brought some of the best moments of the film in terms of humor and horror. Martin Freeman's Bilbo was pitch perfect and makes his portrayal of the character one that most of us could identify with very easily. Overall I am glad I went, but probably won't see again until the DVD release.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
The Hobbit.

by janeen52

It was wonderful and exciting, fast paced and suspenseful. If you loved the other movies, this is a must see. I can't wait for the next one. Thank you Peter! Another masterpiece.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
A Return to Middle Earth

by bburnet3

The Hobbit was exceptionally well portrayed, and they pulled a lot out of material for the first film. Getting to see returning characters from the LOTR trilogy was very fun, and helped like the two movie franchises together in a way I didn't see coming. It didn't even feel like the movie was almost three hours, it goes by so fast with action and story that you will not walk away disappointed. I didn't see it in the new FPS, so I don't know how that came off. I can't wait for the second film!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written December 20, 2012
Visually Amazing

by hope2shop

Having just read the book and with all the details fresh in my mind, it's fabulous see it all come to life. Every detail is attended to and the characters/actors are superb. What I always have a difficult time wrapping my brain around when someone adapts a beloved book to the big screen is the liberties they take in changing or adding to the story. Without all of Peter Jackson's additions, this could definitely have been made into 1 movie. Was it entertaining - you bet! Would I recommend it? For sure! Great way to spend an afternoon!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 6, 2013
Awesome!

by rc.early

As a person who has never been much of a LOTR fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The action sequences are great, the story keeps you guessing, and the tie-ins to the original trilogy made a fan of me (hook, line & sinker). Can't wait for the next one!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
Good, but Different

by jedigator

I personally really liked The Hobbit. It was exciting and there were so many little things that I picked up on that were references or even direct parallels to points in the LoTR trilogy. Technically, it was very tight and very clean. I thought that Peter Jackson's decision to use 24 frames per second payed off. It was funny when it needed to be and it was intense and emotional at the same time. While there were some minor things that could have been done slightly differently, I was still very very pleased. I plan to see it again.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 16, 2012
Depends on if you're a Tolkien book lover or not

by cindy_l_thomas

I suspect that how much you will like this movie will depend on whether or not you are a Tolkien purist. I am one of those people who read the books once each year but I went with someone who has never read the book. I reached a point where I had to control my urge to walk out of the movie and just tell myself "it's not the book, just sit back and enjoy it as a movie 'based-on' the book". The person I went with liked it very much and said the 3-hours went by very fast for her. Some of the scenic shots are spectacular. Andy Serkis as Gollum never ceases to amaze me. There are many things to like about the movie, just know that it is "based-on' the book, it is not a literal interpretation of the book.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written January 6, 2013
Packed with fluff

by

This could easily have been one movie rather than a trilogy. I actually dozed off several times. The actors turned in great performances, though, and the visuals were great. Gollum ws even better than in LOTR - alternately more creepy and pitiful. I just felt that PJ was trying too hard to make one movie into 3 for no good reason.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Great View

by JonoTheTellerOfTruth

The Hobbit (Part 1 of 3) was outstanding! Can't wait for next December & the following to complete the Trilogy! Watched this movie in Real3D; this was first time I have ever viewed an entire movie in 3D. The 3D effects were stunning & I must admit that I rather enjoyed the Real3D experience! Smooth 3d effects really brought the movie to life!
The casting of the movie was perfect! Many sections of the movie closely followed the Book, but a few new characters & villains were thrown into the mix. Overall - I absolutely loved The Hobbit & cant wait for the Expanded Edition to come out later on Blu Ray!
Worth the Money!!!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
Masterful!

by cbyb51206

I was a bit skeptical with out a single, smaller novel would turn out in a trilogy format that will run over 7 hours, but this first installment proved that Jackson and team are up for the task. Side stories (Radaghast, The White Council) were woven in at just the right time and the film never slowed it's pace.

The cast was wonderful as well, with Freeman and Armitage leading the way with amazing performances as Bilbo and Thorin respectively. The Riddles in the Dark scene was done to perfection.

The only negative is having to wait a year for the next installment.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written January 2, 2013
Good if you like fantasy

by awjx

If you are a fan of action filled fantasies this movie will not disappoint. There are a few holes that I think are more a fault of the source material rather than the crew adapting it to film.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
The Hobbit: A good start

by wolfee22

If you're coming from the first three Lord of the Rings films, you're a bit concerned at the beginning of the Hobbit, but soon you realize that introductions must be made. The cinematography is astonishing and beautiful and it is good to see some familiar faces.

If there was ever a character "that grows on you", Bilbo is that character. Even if you convince yourself this younger Bilbo just isn't going to work, by the end of the movie you realize you've been rooting for him and he just might be your favorite character.

The Hobbit begins to weave itself into the Lord of the Rings and at the same time leaves the viewer wanting to see the next adventure!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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WoottenSam The Hobbit was awesome!

19 hours ago.

caoimhefcooke Today. 2.00pm. Sainsburys. Decided to treat myself to the Hobbit on DVD. After being unable to prove I was over 12, I was denied. #Whyme

20 hours ago.