The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyMovie Reviews

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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
A Return to Middle Earth, OUR HOME!

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This film was both visually stunning and emotionally engaging!! I am a huge fan of the LOTR trilogy and this is a perfect start for a sequel of these films! Peter Jackson picked the perfect actors for each character and had great tie-ins to the Lord of the Rings series! The acting was superb! It was so good to be back in middle earth again, the director made you feel like you were back at home! I am stunned at the negative comments about this film! For those who think it was too long, this film was not meant for you, it's for fans and there are two more films coming! This is the first of three movies and they are trying to include as much of the book as they can along with the appendix! This is truly a classic that Tolkien would be proud of! So good to see another beloved book come alive to the big screen! Cannot wait for the next two films!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written December 15, 2012
Lighter, not as filling, but still tasty....

by

*** Pros: Excellent effects, workable adaptation, excellent character depth and complexity of performances.
*** Cons: Slightly bloated story, unnecessary introduction, poorly realized pacing.
The Hobbit (Pt. 1 of 3) is a decent start for the new trilogy, but lacks the gravitas or adept storytelling of the Lord of the Rings. Its first major misstep is the reintroduction of an older Bilbo and (visibly older) Frodo. This was an unfortunate choice, lacking the mystery or grandness of the original trilogy's introductions of black screen, ring motif, and Cate Blanchett's luscious narration.

It never really recovers from this, and the adaptation is hobbled by it throughout, especially with the bloated nature of the story additions (i.e., Radaghast and Azog). The over-reliance on CGI also hampered the movie (again, Azog). However, stunning performances by the principals (Serkis and Freeman) redeemed the movie to a greater degree. Here is hoping the next installment improves.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey...

by

I am not going to lie, I am a little bit biased in the case of anything Lord of The Rings. I received a copy of The Hobbit for my 6th birthday from my Dad ( yes... yes I was a kid nerd. Yes I read it in 3 days even though I was 6. Don't judge.) so it is pretty sentimental for me. He also bought me the Lord of the Rings books several years later. All my copies are now held together with tape. So basically what I am saying is these are some of my favorite stories ever, and I am pretty touchy when people take my favorite things and turn them into films.
That being said after what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings, I pretty much trust that man with anything.
I loved this movie. I loved it so much. Even with it's "embellishments", and even though making it into 3 movies is arguably the biggest money grab ever. He can have my money, as he obviously knows what to do with it. This movie was pretty much as visually stunning as I came to expect from the other films. Watch it.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
Hobbit, an Unexpected Journey

by edelweiss33

Fun action. I loved the Gandalf quote: It's the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay...small acts of kindness and love.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written March 14, 2013
The Hobbit

by

I would have liked it better with fewer monster battles and including the last third of the book. The invented material did not advance the story; it only lengthened the movie.

Had I not read the book, I could have given the movie a higher rating. Not as compelling as The Lord of the Rings trilogy; I almost fell asleep twice.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written December 17, 2012
I was bored

by Hawther

It was fine and well-done, but dragging this story over a trilogy just makes it so long and so slow. There's a lot that could have been cut.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written January 23, 2013
Found it a great movie and enjoyed it with the kids

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While it did not entirely follow the book, it certainly reflected the spirit of the book quite accurately. The imagery was right on in terms of my own image I had from the book. It was somewhat long, taking into account it only got us through the first parts of the book (I hope it's not going to go on to three parts but looking at the pace, it may well do so....).
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 26, 2012
An excellent adventure!

by jan_nee

Peter Jackson has done it again! from the opening scene to the ending I was totally fascinated! I loved it! the cinematography and special effects are truly unbelievable! the dialogue between the dwarfs and Bilbo was great. I was happy to see some of the other characters from the Lord trilogy as well, where is Legolas? go see it! kids under ten probably should not go their attention span is not long enough. .
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written January 23, 2013
big lord of the rings and hobbit fan

by twortham56

this movie was everything that I thought it would be ;loved the special effects my favorite part was the giant isops conversation around the fire while preparing to roast the dwarves and the hobbit. hilarious
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 16, 2012
must go if you are a Tolkein fan

by tshawe

Yes, there are discrepancies...yes, there is artistic license taken...but it is lovingly done and moves the tale forward in a good way...lovers of the Hobbit, LotR and Tolkein will get the most from this but everyone will enjoy the tale.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written January 9, 2013
Truth

by

Well I think Peter Jackson did a very good job at staying true to the original cartoon story. I think the next couple of movies will be just as long as this one. It's just what Peter Jackson does. Overall, the movie was pleasant and interesting to watch.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 14, 2012
AMAZING!!!

by

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has a great cast, great story line, and great director! It's just as good as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and is the great prequel everyone know and loves. Even if you have never read the books...or even seen The Lord of the Rings I would still highly recommend going and seeing The Hobbit! It's amazing to watch, especially in a theater!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2012
The Hobbit was GREAT

by LisaMQ

I am a long time Tolkien fan. I loved this movie. I loved the references to historical events, I loved how this added a sense of depth to the tale. This felt like Middle Earth. It was wonderful. I went with someone who never read the book and they were so delighted by the film, they wanted to see it again, the moment it ended.

I'm surprised by the iffy reviews by some professionals. This movie will be remembered forever. Critics have been wrong before and they're wrong here. Don't hesitate to see this movie.

P.S. My friend is googling names, places and swords from this film, LOL :)
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written January 9, 2013
Successfully Entertaining

by kasibetty

I'm not going to give you some brainy, intense review for a movie that is a cult classic attached with the LOTR trilogy. It's no epic tale (quite yet), but you can see where the movie is going with the tone, character development, and storyline. It's not predictable, but it's not entirely surprising either. It's a mellow story, with deep thoughts that leave you thinking in the middle of the night or while brushing your teeth, "Am I like Bilbo?" Obviously I'm at an age where mid-life crisis events are interesting topics of sorts, but the movie has a way of delivering powerful thinking in such a smooth way.

The Hobbit leaves you with answers to questions you might've had from LOTR. For me personally, it was the creation of Sauron. I was like, so what POOF one day an evil eye appeared? Wtf? This gives hints to how "the eye" came about. I'm in love with the backstory of the wizards, their lifestyle and ofcourse the dwarves and their culture. You won't be disappointed.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2012
EPIC movie!

by iamambch

The movie takes your expectations and blows them out of the water, whether you've read the book a hundred times or not at all it will keep you entertained.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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