The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyMovie Reviews

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Must Go!
Written January 2, 2013
Wow!

by Wytchywomyn

I didn't know this was to be another multiple epic, but I loved it. Friends had warned us to skip the 3D version ("too intense" they said). The 2D version was pretty intense by itself - things seemed to fly out of the screen. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that is was padded - but, I loved the humor and character interactions. I read The Hobbit & LOTR many, many years ago ... I may have to reread them.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 16, 2012
The Hobbit

by mcclellandgerard

Not very good. it took way too long to get in to the story. Too much silliness among the dwarfs; too many 'comic relief' moments - such as the Night Trolls. The tale only took n a credible line when Elrond entered at Rivendell.
Gollum's character was excellent - the graphics smoother than previously - and Andy Serkis is a genius,
Overall three stars from five.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 28, 2012
Visually Entralling- Follows the book well!

by PhotogDave

They have done it again! The first movie of this movie trilogy (there was only one book) pulls in information and back story from some of Tolkien's other books (e.g. The Silmarillion) and weaves the story based on the beloved book The Hobbit. Acting is fun and believable and Martin Freeman (Bilbo) does the character justice.

The visuals are exceptional, from the New Zealand country side to the Orc strongholds. It starts out slow, but only briefly, as you wonder how the tale will take shape. From then on, it moves along at a comfortable pace.

Definitely a must see, ESPECIALLY if you are a Tolkien fan!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 19, 2012
Jackson does it again!

by timwbrown

As a Tolkein geek since, well, over four decades ago, it's a delight to see another film that does a marvelous job of interpreting the books to the big screen. It's easy to spot the many deviations from the book but the flow of events is consistent, and weaving in the 'side' story of the Necromancer adds depth and breadth (and all the additions and changes are still consistent with the lore of Tolkein's world. This comes as close as a film can come to capturing the heart of the work and its author.
- 4 out of 4 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 18, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

by kitbunnell

I'm a big fan of "The Lord of the Rings" movies and was looking forward to "The Hobbit", but I'll have to agree with a lot of the critics about this movie. It was much too long. I think at least an hour of it could have been cut to make a better movie. Most of it was taken up by battles and Bilbo and the dwarfs fleeing from them. I liked Martin Freeman as young Bilbo, thought that was perfect casting. The production values were superb (as I expected) and I think there was a good movie buried in here somewhere. Everyone I saw it with had trouble staying awake.
- 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 19, 2012
Fun and well made

by Thomination

I really love the way Peter Jackson brings the books to life. I wasn't expecting the Hobbit to be as good as the LOTR trilogy, but it exceeded my expectations. Was fun and entertaining and had more of an epic feel than I anticipated. Looking forward to the next ones.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written December 15, 2012
yes you want to see it in theaters.

by lelaursen

Peter Jackson again tries to honor the real spirit of the Tolkien classics. Some remodeling that wasn't offensive to this purist.

Mainly, it's a must see for astonishing visual effects-even breathtaking-and I'm not a fan of hyperbole. So beautiful. Some silly scenes but again, that's the purist in me. Very much worth the price of the ticket.

The world has a new star in Thorin, heroic of stature and nature. Bilbo played beautifully. And of course Ian McKellan just cannot disappoint as Gandalf. So fun to have Gollum back and as I was wanting him to be, all sibilant hissing and possessed by his Precious.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written January 24, 2013
compared to LOTR: Fellowship...

by SuperRamio

I enjoyed the movie although there were times where the scenes were a bit overkill and would've been just as enjoyable if there was less moving over the mountains and the whole bit with the orcs.I took a step back to compare it to LOTR1 and when you consider this it took on a very similar feel. You're introduced to the characters, the quest, and given a taste of things to come. As to the comparison to the original book, I liked the addition of the dwarf history to explain the reason for the story as to the other changes - I'll just chock it up to creative license. I will be in line to see the remaining films.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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I'm In
Written December 16, 2012
The Hobbit

by jrsin2it

What a great ride! Effects were what we have come to expect from previous "Lord of the Rings" movies. Casting was perfect. Only one problem...it had to end. Left us wanting the next part NOW! Gonna go see it again!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written December 25, 2012
Made for people who like fantasy movies.

by raideen513

The adventure involves a vicious, gold-loving dragon by the name of Smaug, but before we get to his mountain and all that treasure, we get plenty of action involving orcs and, best of all, a younger, more realistic Gollum. This movie is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings (occurs over 60 years prior to the story in that trilogy) and there are several scenes where the two trilogies share characters and mythology.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 27, 2012
The Hobbit

by sprocket-holes

I thing 3D might help, I-Max definately, but in 1D and regular screen it was kind of like a pair of sox - even very nice sox - for Christmas. Elaborate makeup, costumes, SFX -- they're all there but they don't come together in a way that makes you give much of a damn. It also might have helped if the Hobbit had been killed with four minutes on the clock, but nope - he just goes home and does whatever Hobbits do. .
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Thrill

by GrandGayle

Gandalf: "Home is now behind you. The world is ahead." I have been a Hobbit fan since the early 60's and I always choose books over movie adaptations. But this movie not only pleased me, it amazed me. I like the innocence of "The Hobbit". The movie definitely captured that feeling. Even the over-the-top fight scenes and misadventures had an "I don't believe that" quality ... more amazing than graphic.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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I'm In
Written December 26, 2012
The 48 FPS choice wasn't as big an issue as other reviewers reported.

by

As for the 48 fps issue, it was only noticeable in the first minute. Either I adjusted to it or I couldn't distinguish it from the visual synergy created by the saturated colors, intense lighting, and 3D. I certainly thought that made it another world, which I believe was Jackson's intent.

Additionally, when I read the book, years ago, I didn't care for the dwarves, and I know Tolkein wanted me to love those dwarves. Here is where I think Peter was most successful: the piece was highly character-driven and he did make me love those dwarves. I especially think Thorin was all that he was supposed to be.

If there was a fail, it would be from the added-in weirdness. This was used to facilitate some plot issues. Often they were applied as a short-hand illustration for some story that otherwise would have to be explained in some lengthy and hideous Michael Crichton-esque expository fashion. I winced, but I have to cut him some slack.

Still don't think there needed to be THREE!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 15, 2012
It was a beautifully filmed movie, but ...

by skhampton

it was rather slow. My husband actually fell asleep during part of it. Probably will wait until the trilogy is out on DVD and then watch them in a marathon.
- 14 out of 24 found this review helpful.
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