The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyMovie Reviews

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Written December 15, 2012
The Hobbit: A slightly boring journey

by padfoot7

This was a visually stunning film but the first 45 minutes saw me closing my eyes from boredom. I'm sure I'm totally alone on this. Things started to pick up for me with the team crossing into Rivendale.

I would recommend moive goers to check this out but brace yourself for a bumpy ride!
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written January 20, 2013
Not like Lord of the rings

by gottobefree49

This movie is a little different than the Lord of the rings,i think. In the beginning is so slow and boring, when it starts to pick up it does get a little better. The men could be a little bit more handsome. The lord of the rings men were handsome. The actors are good and the effects are great and the scenery is excellent. I would have to watch this movie again just to watch some parts i might not have picked up on.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey

by

I grew up with the Rankin-Bass animated movies, and the Hobbit was a book I re-read a few times. So I am a bit biased. I'm not a hard-core fan the way some are, but the Hobbit at least was something I grew up with as a story that influenced me life. So Yes, I am partial.

That said, I was pleased by the cinematography. It was classic to the previous movies. Beautiful scenes, well angled shots, amazing blending of live action and 3d as well. The characters were given a life, and lived/breathed/were more then what I remember from the books (in a good way).

I liked how he used elements from the appendices to flesh out more of the movie in the way we have come to expect from movies. This wasn't just us following along with Bilbo. Nor did we see things strictly from Bilbo's perspective. Instead we get to see the action how it plays out, parallel to other events.

The lead up to the end scene had me on the edge of my seat as well. Over all, aside from a few nit picks, I love d it.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 17, 2012
Blah - It could have been better

by mcbonet

I found this movie to be lacking. It was too long. Too much time was giving to fight scenes and characters running away from trouble/falling rocks. There was no character development for the dwarfs, they were all lumped in as "the company". I don't even remember half their names. There was toooo much CGI - where did the people in costumes go? I much preferred the way the orcs and uruk hai were made in the original trilogy. Those hounds/wolves that attacked at the end looked cheap. I really did not like the look of the movie - fantasy films should not look "real".

About the only thing I liked was Bilbo - and he disappeared halfway through the movie.
I was looking forward to this movie - but now I'm just disappointed.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 11, 2013
And We're Walking...

by

Yes, there is a lot of walking in this just like in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. The journey is just begining as this is the first movie. I liked the movie over all. There are a few more tangents of explanation than I expected, but it is the first movie so there's going to be exposition.
This movie seems good for any age, although some scenes might make little ones a bit nervous.
The acting was well done. I especially like how Bilbo is portrayed; it seems very close to the character in the book. I also like the continuity with LOTR that is created by the sets, using the same actors, and a scene or two. I wasn't sure about the singing at first(although it is in the book) but it grew on me.
Watching this made me want to read the book again, and I'm excited to see the next movie.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written December 14, 2012
Tries to do too much

by jckline

Fun, beautiful, and with great performances from Freeman and Armitage. The set pieces are great, but there's too much filler, and Jackson tries too hard to make a Lord of the Rings prequel instead of just making The Hobbit.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 12, 2013
A MUST SEE!!!

by Nela_Bella

My husband and I are HUGE fans of "The Lord of the Rings" that although this movie was a prequal , we had to see it. So, as a surprise for our first anniversary I took my husband to see this movie and he Loved it so much he took his younger brother to see it, and wanted to see it again. It is a MUST GO SEE movie in our opinion. :}
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
An Unexpected Review

by nick.ross

For me, I thought the movie made perfect sense. While some critics might argue that the story is too "bloated" with information not pertinent to the actual adventure that Bilbo has set out upon, each bit of additional information serves a purpose. As a fan of the LOTR movies, I believe that Jackson is using The Hobbit as a platform to fill in the cracks of the stories of Middle Earth that were first told in the Rings trilogy. The movie flows effortlessly along with the story lines of both The Hobbbit and LOTR. What has mostly surprised me is the fact that everyone wants to talk about how needlessly long the film is, or the fact that they think it is a ploy to make extra cash. It seems to me that most people are missing the point. Bilbo sets out on an adventure that he was perfectly satisfied to be left behind on, yet even by the end of the first film, we can see a change taking place in Bilbo. That's what its about, Bilbo's willingness to lend a hand to those in need. As we all should
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected WIN

by Artistbrain98

I do not even know where to begin here. I suppose I'll start by pointing out the accuracy was astounding, next to nothing was added or eliminated (which partially makes up for the immense length) and the continuity made it unbelievably easy to follow. The effects were magnificent; it took time afterward for me to remember that more than half of the movie was completely computer-generated, and that our protagonists weren't actually battling hundreds of goblins, enormous Orcs, living mountains, and riding the backs of twenty foot eagles. let's move on the acting; Martin Freeman could not have been a more appropriate choice for Bilbo Baggins. He played the role perfectly, to the point where his mannerisms and voice were exactly how I had imagined them when reading, each of the actors fell perfectly into the part they played, the result is a masterpiece. This movie is one for the ages, each and every component is phenomenal in its own way. I will greatly anticipate the next installment.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Decide for yourself...go on your own adventure

by ladyoftheheart

This film is getting mixed reviews and the best way to make up your mind on the film is to go and see it for yourself. If you loved the LOTR trilogy then you will love The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (as a many of the cast and crew have returned). I've read the book and of course there are some differences (such as developing more minor characters, drawing out battles for more suspense) but I think it works perfectly in connecting another generation with an incredible story. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Everything from the sets, costumes, cinematography, acting and music was excellent.

After falling in love with the story and characters already in the LOTR, it is a treat to see some of their personal histories retold.

(If you are taking small kids, the battle scenes are pretty intense and graphic so keep that in mind.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 18, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

by jeremyashby

Once again, Peter Jackson created a great adaptation of Tolkien's Middle Earth and the story of finding the ring and the time period leading up to the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. It is a must see film and if you have read The Hobbit then there is very little that has been changed or altered. There is more back story and a more in-depth look into certain sections of the story and the events that took place.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 16, 2012
Lord of the Rings -- Episode 1 Style

by aschottmuller

If you love Lord of the Rings, you'll like The Hobbit. Great acting, spectacular landscapes, and amazing visual effects are sure to win it some awards. Attend in 3D if you can. A few new songs will likely have you humming later. The Hobbit is an obvious extension of Lord of the Rings w/ several favorite characters returning along w/ at least 14 new ones. Gollum is creepier than ever and likely too scary for small children.

Star Wars fans may associate this film with Episode 1. A few scenes have questionable value, some "characters" are just odd, and several characters aren't adequately developed. Still, the adventure storyline is intriguing and the mix of action, horror, drama and mild humor will keep you engaged.

>> PROS: Cinematography, visual effects, acting.
>> CONS: Very long, limited character development, under-developed storyline.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
Unexpected

by nutellanlemons

I was just forced to see this movie with my friend because she loves lord of the rings. At first I thought it seemed like a lame movie. HOWEVER, during the movie my heart couldn't stop beating because of all the action scenes. It was disappointing that the movie took so long yet didn't actually complete the book. But overall, VERY WELL MADE
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
They brought the characters to life.

by mcclellanmp

I went to the midnight premier with my two daughters and several friends, all of us in costume, all of us Tolkien freaks and nerds. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and can't find a single fault with it. I enjoyed the addition of lore from the appendix of The Lord of the Ring and the Silmarilian in the movie, it added depth to the story and played quiet well, especially the inclusion of the Necromancer and Radgast the Brown. After the movie we all went to Denney's for something to eat and during the ensuing conversation about the Dwarves I pointed out that Ballin was killed in Moria and it was his tomb that Gimli stood on while fighting the orcs. One of my daughters friends, a young lady in her twenties, started to cry. Peter Jackson, you brought the Dwarves to life.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 19, 2012
I enjoyed the movie

by capt_ken

What else is there to say?

I am not going to compare it to the books or anything, but rather just look at it as it is, a prelude of sorts to the LOTR and how the ring was found.

I can say that I enjoyed it. The visuals are great. The CGI is great. I will note that I did not watch it in 3D and generally do not watch anything in 3D. I do not see where it adds anything to the movie.

My only complaint is I wish all three parts came out at the same time....
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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