OK, so it took me some time but here it is...my review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
I saw the film in 48fps and Real3D on Friday afternoon at 4pm.
To structure my review, I want to make a few general comments, then highlight my favorite and least favorite parts. I could talk all day and share my thoughts about each scene in the film, but no one would want to read that...lol.
General Comments
First and foremost, do not see the film in 48fps. The clarity is amazing, but it is too much for a fantasy adventure. Also, there is no need to see the film in 3D. I believe that 3D is generally a useless gimmick, and my view was proven correct by its use in The Hobbit.
The visuals in the film are so breathtaking on their own that 24fps and 2D should be more than enough to make you say "Wow!" We get to see more of Bag End than we did on the LotR movies and that was a great treat! We also get to see the entrance to the Hidden Valley of Rivendell and a massive Goblin Town under the Misty Mountains. A visual treat.
The CGI was better than I expected. In most cases, I felt that the technology was necessary and very well done. My only complaint here would be that Azog could have been better portrayed by an actor in costume (like Lurtz in FotR) rather than as a Avatar-ish looking CGI character.
The acting by Martin Freeman is absolutely amazing. Martin simply IS a hobbit. He brings all of the qualities that one expects and then infuses his own unique take on the character. I hope he wins many awards! The other standout was Andy Serkis of course. Seeing Gollum in his cave was very nostalgic. I hope that the Academy Awards create a motion-capture acting category.
Overall, I was fine with the changes and deviations that PJ and his team made to the story. I understand that telling a story like The Hobbit in a different context, 75 years later, and on film rather than the page requires some differences. As always, PJ kept the main elements intact and the theme of the story central.
Best and Worst
For me, the best moments were the early moments in Bag End and then the White Council dialogue. I loved seeing Bilbo as he is surprised by the dwarves arrival and how he reacts to them. I also love the Bag End set and I want to have a hobbit-hole of my own one day. The interaction of the "Guardians of Middle-Earth" in the White Council scene was fascinating. The dynamics between the players and the mystery of where Saruman was truly allied was riveting for me.
The worst moments were easy to pick out...The Great Goblin was too over the top and the Spear-Tackle of an orc by Bilbo was simply impossible. I know that the Great Goblin was somewhat quirky in the book, but it was ridiculous how PJ portrayed him in the film. There needs to be some element of fear in that scene. The dwarves are being held captive you know? But the Great Goblin of AUJ was a joke. The decision by PJ to have Azog in the movie and Thorin fight him amongst the pine trees was understandable. The decision to have Bilbo end the movie with something heroic was also fine. i understand that we can't wait until halfway through the next movie to see Bilbo kill spiders and finally do something heroic. PJ needed to end this film with movement in Bilbo's character arc. But...a hobbit cannot tackle an orc. Period. The same effect could have been achieved with Bilbo drawing Sting and jumping between the orc and Thorin to nervously challenge the orc. That NFL tackle was a Hollywood moment that should have been left on the cutting room floor.
Like I said, I have extensive notes about each moment of the film...After I left the theater, I went to eat at Chic Fil A and I recorded tons of notes as I munched away. i am very happy to sit down and discuss those thoughts over a Stout at the Green Dragon if you would like. Otherwise, this short review will have to do.
