The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyMovie Reviews

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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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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
Loved it!

by autumnblair42

As a fan of the Tolkien books and the movies, I was super excited to see the first installment of The Hobbit. I was definitely not disappointed. I thought the movie was great and followed the book well. Although there were a few differences between the book and the movie, the changes were not major and actually, in my opinion, added to the movie. The casting was fantastic and I could not have been more pleased. This is definitely a must see.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
A movie for Tolkien Geeks

by

I was particularly pleased to see the detail in this movie version of The Hobbit, and looking at the cast list for the upcoming parts, it looks like that detail will continue. The purists will, no doubt, quibble about some things being out of order, and the appearance of Galadriel, but by-and-large this treatment of the story was faithful to the original.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 2, 2013
A Completely Expected Journey

by adammatthews55

As a fan of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy by Peter Jackson, I was naturally excited to hear that the Hobbit was being adapted for film. When it was announced that the movie would be made into 2 movies, I was excited. I did not feel that nobody, even the great Peter Jackson could do justice towards this opus, in just one movie. When it was later announced that the films would become a trilogy of their own, I began to panic. I did not believe that the book contained enough story to move through 3 films. As I sat down in my seat for the film, I felt a sensation of great nostalgia, just as I had with the other Lord of the Rings movies. When I left the theater 3 hours later, I decided I had complete and utter faith in Peter Jackson for making these films into a trilogy. Many will argue that the first third of the film is slow, I disagree the pace seemed adequate for what needed to be mentioned. Love the score by Howard Shore, it's different but feels in the realm of Lord of the Rings. 3.5-4
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 18, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Pleasure

by extonmark

Peter Jackson did 'exactly' what I had wished he had done with the LOTR trilogy... took 1 book and split it into enough story for 3 movies. Having read all the books a few dozen (yes, dozen) times each over the years, I knew there was enough good material to make 3 films out of each book, and I am pleased Peter Jackson finally did so.

The casting was good, and the actors reminded me very much of how I saw the characters in my head while reading the book. While there were small, sometimes very subtle differences between the book and the film, they in no way detracted from my enjoyment of The Hobbit. If Jackson strayed somewhat from the letter of the law, he certainly captured the spirit of Tolkien's work beautifully.

Overall, I think The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a 'MUST GO' for longtime fans and anyone new to Tolkien's work.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written February 5, 2013
A Tad too Long

by sterlsusn

The movie had charming sequences such as Bilbo's hobbit hole, but most of the movie was like the book. The book was very thick and detailed with the fantasy aspects. I think that about 30 minutes of the movie could be removed.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 14, 2012
For the Fans...for the most part

by

I tracked The Hobbit during the whole ten year process that it went through and bought my midnight ticket the minute they went on sale. Let's just say the could have done better. The story follows the book, appendices, and back stories very well...with the exception of the Pale Orc. I still haven't figured out where that came from. There are plenty of odd references that made me "squeek with joy", such as Gandalf hitting his head on the chandelier, the dwarven headbutt, and the explicit telling of chapter names. HOWEVER, there's plenty still wrong. I can be nit-picky and complain that Martin Freeman did not pick up the ring the same way as he did in FotR, or how the goblins in NO WAY referenced any orcs seen during the trilogy, but my main concern was the CGI. I'm calling laziness (or del Torro) on this one. When the graphics from the previous films still hold up and there is evidence that they are still capable of it with Gollum, the rest falls apart. This is Middle Earth, NOT Narnia!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written January 8, 2013
Not the whole story ... boring

by UHU43

o.k. ... maybe it's my fault, but as the movie is named "The Hobbit" and whatever but not "The Hobbit Part one" (out of 3), I expected the whole story ... sorry for just want to watch a movie without checking the internet first ... and they made three movies out of three books with Lord of the Rings ... why not one movie out of one book with The Hobbit?

If you want to read more go to wikipedia ... I feel the same way ... 45 minutes just in the Hobbit home and then rushing thru the battle scences where Gandalf rescued them twice in a row in the last second ...

I didn't liked some of the camera moves, made for nice 3D effects, but blurred the picture and made me dizzy. O.k if you like video game quality and hectic cuts ...

I will wait till all movies are out and watch them on DVD to have at least the whole story.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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No
Written December 15, 2012
Not a fan

by

This could have been great, but simply isn't. This movie is the opposite of the approach taken for the Lord of the Rings movies. Those movies compressed books for the sake of making good films, and generally did a great job of retaining the flavor of the original movies. This movie sacrifices the flavor of the Original, by inserting ridiculous stunt sequences reminiscent of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

If you're a fan, you'll likely be disappointed. Bad show, Peter Jackson.
- 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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Go
Written January 8, 2013
Well Done

by barryallen1fan

All of the main characters roles were well performed especially Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins & Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. Peter Jackson is well on his to way in becoming one of the greatest Directors ever.

Another great beginning to another trilogy! If, you've never read the J.R. Tolken books and have seen the Lord of the Rings series. Some of your questions will be answered and your imagination will begin to take off, making you want more. I say go see this movie instead of many of the other movies that are out there now. This movie was made for everyone.

I'd go see it again and will definitely be adding it to our movie library!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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No
Written December 27, 2012
Badly Butchered in the name of Profits ... so sad.

by VegasVoyager

I grew up reading The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings ... and brought my daughters up with them as well ... have probably read the complete works at least a dozen times and greatly impressed with Lord of the Rings movies ...

However ... I almost walked out of The Hobbit on four separate occasions ... and I've only walked out of 1 movie in my entire 56 years.

Making it into a two part movie I could understand ... but a THREE PART MOVIE ... NOOOO!

They've dragged out scenes that there's no need to ... and inserted scenes that NEVER HAPPENED in the book ... 45 minutes to get through the Unexpected Party?? And the method that Bilbo joined The Company?? WRONG! ... Frodo, Saruman, and Galadriel all appear in this movie ... but not the book. Goblins and Wargs BEFORE Rivendell ??? Who's lame idea was that??? Spending 20+ minutes on Radgast who was only a brief mention in the book ???

Total disrespect to the author AND TO THE FANS ... all in the name of profits ... TOTAL BS !!!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written December 16, 2012
The Hobbitt

by majorcarolann

Saw The Hobbott with my family last night. It was very long and began very slow. Husband and sons loved it, that's what mattered to me.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
The Hobbit

by waterboy44221

This is definitely a must-see movie for Lord of the Rings fans. It had tons of action, the scenery was awesome, and it was also very funny. Martin Freeman was an excellent Bilbo, plus it had many LOTR returning characters as well.
The only thing I didn't like was the overly long fight scenes. I feel this movie was padded with them and the trilogy could have easily been a two-movie set.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 26, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

by beejayoh

There are not enough wonderful things to say about this movie. Peter Jackson is a genius at presenting a story and his actors are true to their roles. Martin Freeman is PERFECT as Bilbo. The actor who plays Thorin Oakenshield is GREAT! The dwarves are hilarious! The New Zealand scenery is awesome as always. Who cares if the movie deviates from the book? If anything, it improves on Tolkein's original presentation. Jackson takes small elements and makes them kingsized. I have no idea how he created some of the scenes in the movie, but they were entirely realistic in a fantastic way. The episode with the orcs was complex, not to mention exciting, engrossing, wild and wooly. It was wonderful to see Ian McKellan back as Gandalf. Certainly, the story would not have been as well done without him! Galadriel is, of course, beautiful and mystical. The Elven King is regal and so confident. I just loved the movie and plan to get the DVD when it comes out.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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