The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyMovie Reviews

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So-so
Written December 14, 2012
Too much changed.

by

The storyline and the characters created by Tolkien were very different. It tries to include important background information, but fails to use this information to create momentum and motivation for the journey. It is slow and in many parts unrealistic. Finally, it struggles to decide whether it is a children's movie, wavering between fun and gross violence.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 13, 2013
wonderful film

by

In true Middle Earth fashion, The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey sends you on an epic adventure with some truly unforgettable characters. Some new, some we know form the Lord of the Rings films. Keep a lookout for the trolls, it was one of my favorite scenes ^_^
The special effects are amazing! I look forward to the other two films!!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 22, 2012
The Hobbit movie was great! Can't wait for the next one!

by

I was really anxious to see the Hobbit and it didn't let me down. It was a great movie. The characters were true to who they were from the book. The battle scenes were exactly the way they should have been. The storyline wasn't changed and I loved the actor who played Bilbo Baggins. He really showed the strength and some humor as any hobbit would. I'm so anxious now for the next one, but have to wait a year for it to come out. I'm sure I'll see it again at the theater, at least one more time and probably two times.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
A delightful treat

by nepboi977

I was slightly concerned about the little bit of negativity surrounding Peter Jackson's most recent adventure about the animal abuse and some bad reviews. Personally even I had felt that the core story line was done with the first 3 series of LOTR. But I was so wrong. There is plenty of ground to be covered. The breathtaking cinematography, the coherence of story, and the acting were a wonderful treat. If you haven't seen it go and have fun.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written January 13, 2013
Unexpected....I would say!

by MoviemakersMom

I would say Must Go but I wasn't prepared for the ending! I won't say what in case you haven't seen it yet. Could be my own fault--need to pay more attention to the movie rags.
Definately worth the time to see!
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written December 27, 2012
Die Hard Fans Won't Cringe But This IS NOT a Suitable Complement To The LOR.

by Alon Patterson

I left the theater, frankly, somewhat disappointed. BUT don't mistake that comment as meaning I had a bad experience. Perhaps my expectations were unrealistically high but somehow I was left with an emptiness of sorts, wanting more than what I just got if you will..... Anyway, this installment's far from an improvement. The photographic choices were a HUGE mistake. There are others as well but you'll read that over and over again. What I can add is very little to what's already been said and written but after seeing all versions, HFR, 3D, 2D, and IMAX, I can recommend with absolute certainty the best format choice is 2D. Other than the less than stellar accolades some have ascribed here, I would add one redemption about this film. Even in it's mildly disappointing form, it's so far and beyond most everything one would see on the big screen, as to not even be comparable by rare exception. In other words, see it. It's definitely a movie worthwhile for one to experience.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 29, 2012
I nearly fell asleep ... and I am a fan

by theronson

Rent it. Its not worth three hours in a theater.

I love fantasy movies. I have read Tolkien's work multiple times. Peter Jackson's LOTR was enjoyable and like many fantasy fans, I own the trilogy.

That said, the criticism of the unnecessary padding that was necessary to justify turning The Hobbit into a trilogy is justified.

It would have been one thing if Peter Jackson had made a relatively tight, 90 - 120 minute movie. But to make a 2 hour and 50 minute movie, he padded this first installation with beautiful visuals of the dull details that could not keep the attention of a true fantasy fan.

What was good? The riddle scene
What was bad? The length of the movie
What was mediocre? Everything but the riddle scene
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
the hobbit

by Coach_Mac

Yes the unexpected journey was well done. Most curious the see the next part of this Trilogy. I believe Tolkein would approve of the first part of the unexpected jourrney.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 31, 2012
I enjoyed it!

by California_Movie_Goer

While it is a long movie, I didn't look at my watch until the 2 hour mark. The last 49 minutes sped along and cut off at a very appropriate time to start the 2nd movie. Some say the first 30 minutes are the slow part of the movie. I think it's much needed character building and once the movie gets going, it keeps going. some of the fight scenes could have been a little shorter. I was expecting a slow dragging plot line based on other's reviews, but didn't find it...... Draw your own conclusions. It was a great movie and full of new and familiar characters.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 30, 2012
Wow - 3D Was Awesome

by baron1797

Just saw the movie... in 3D. Wow I absolutely love the 48 fps... it is so crisp and clear. Peter Jackson definitely did a great job. Though the film was a bit slow in the beginning - it was needed to tell the story. I would totally recommend seeing the film. You will enjoy.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written December 16, 2012
Great overall - but some un-needed filler...

by PChadd

I have been a fan of The Hobbit since I was a kid - first J.R.R.T. book I read and so I have a fondness for it. The whole film looked great and I loved parts of it for the detail and faithfulness to the book. The Gollum sequence was hands-down spectacular. It's well cast, well-written but did see a bit too long. It could have been edited to tighten it up but as there are two more movies in the queue, clearly the business end of the film has taken priority to faithfully adhering to the book.

I did not care for the 48 frame digital format but it wasn't a make or break for me.

Definitely a go-see movie good for most ages.
- 8 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 31, 2012
Long, drawn out...

by nate_x

I love the book Hobbit. My dad read it to me as a child, I read it in my youth, and now, as a father I have read it to my kids repeatedly. It is an outstanding book. At about 1/2 the size of any of the Lord of the Ring books, you have to wonder, how do you stretch this out to take the time of the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy? When I was 1 hour into the movie and they hadn't left Bilbo's house I knew I was in trouble. Throw in a few unneeded side stories, create character conflicts where there needn't be, and add a heaping of extended chase scenes ... Radagast has a good 30 minutes of the story to himself.

Great visuals, long and drawn out story.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written January 15, 2013
Lost the Plot

by jason8957

This movie started with a book that had a plot and they quickly lost it adding in fluff for no apparent reason and pointless foreshadowing to movies that have already been made. It seems like most of the time is spent adding in fluff to stretch this story to multiple movies and ignoring large parts of the book that could have actually filled in that time.
At times I thought that George Lucas must have had a hand in this movie, with the inclusion of the three stooges in the band of dwarves to the ridiculous Disneyfied Radagast character and comic Goblin King; this is NOT a kids movie.
Lots of pointless underwhelming CGI to fill time.
They do come back around to remind us what the plot was at the very end.
Scratching my head at how disappointing this was after the LOTR trilogy's success.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Accelerates slowly all the way to frantic

by Chick Flicksterix

The end leaves you wanting more.

Go see this one in the theaters - it is definitely a big screen film. There are some things added.. all of them are good.

Some of the action scenes are truly amazing - swinging all over heck and back.

One criticism though: The scenes with Lothlorien were overwrought I think. Just a little too much wispy,ephemeral awesomeness. And I hate to criticize Kate Blanchet, because she is categorically awesome. But in this instance either the acting or directing... something is overdone and the Elf Queen comes off as a hard-to-believe and rather unlikable caricature. In LOTR she is wry and smirking,she never laughs, but you know she traffics in mischief and laughter. Not so here, that aspect is lost and the character suffers a lot and the film suffers a little for it.

Overwrought. But that's the only real flaw and it's pretty minor all things considered.

Do go see it. Well, well worth the price of admission
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Peter Jackson and gang strikes again

by DEOSOL

Way to go! Must see for all Tolkien or LOR fans. Must see for any SciFi fan. Must see for any action/adventure fan. Cast was great and newcomer Bilbo gets kudos. Saw it at the Palladio Theater in folsom, CA ... wonderful theater.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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WoottenSam The Hobbit was awesome!

3 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

3 hours ago.