The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey review

Another Peter Jackson epic!! Based on The Hobbit, and set before the events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Tis be the perfect way to celebrate Christmas, with 13 dwarves, a hobbit, Gandalf, and a lot of fights.

I just missed the mailman.

I haven’t read The Hobbit, so I can’t make any comments to compare the book and the movie version, nor comment on how well it made the transition to the silverscreen.

Still, I found the movie very enjoyable.

Just like The Fellowship of the Ring, the movie starts off a bit slow, setting the whole scene: we are introduced to a young Bilbo Baggins (excellently portrayed by Martin Freeman) and the company of dwarves; the fall of the Dwarven kingdom, Erebor to Smaug, the mighty dragon (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

But, about one-third into the movie, the pace picks up and we are introduced to a whole lot of action.

TROLLS!!

GOBLINS!!

ORCS!!

GOLLUMGOLLUMGOLLUM!!!

And, er, even more ORCS!!!

AZOG SMASH!!

Inevitably, there will be comparisons made to LotR: same director, being a prequel and all that. Personally, I didn't bother with the comparisons and saw it as a different trilogy (yes, it’s another epic trilogy) that explains some things.

For example, there was always a bit of unfriendliness between Legolas and Gimli, due to the fact that the former is an elf and the latter a dwarf. I always thought it was due to cultural conflict and such. But in The Unexpected Journey, there was an explanation for the hostility, though I’m not sure if that is the exact reason for the conflict.

Some might find that the huge cast a bit hard to follow, I won’t blame them. I could barely keep up with the names of the 13 dwarves alone.

So, take a deep breath….

Good luck telling who is who.

Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and last but not least, Thorin II Oakenshield, Son of Thrain, Son of Thror, King Under the Mountain.

Good lord, that was a mouthful.

Still, I particularly enjoyed Thorin as a character. He was my favourite character, after Bilbo.

Special mention goes towards the Great Goblin.

I got me eye on you.

Seriously, the guy looks like a gigantic piece of lard goblin, and I was half expecting him to talk like some rickety old coot, wheezing for breath, or the typical deep and “villainy” monster voice.

Imagine my surprise when he started talking in a smooth voice with a penchant for humor!! By far, the scenes with him were one of my favourite scenes of The Unexpected Journey. In an era where all villains speak with so much serious-ness and the deep booming voice of a blackhole, it is extremely refreshing to see a rather unique portrayal of a villain. Even if he is a minor one.

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Without a doubt, The Hobbit trilogy is set to be the new epic that will define the moments of cinematic history for the 2010s.

Go watch this movie. ‘Nuff said.

And then, I want a giant explosion with helicopters flying overhead.
Yea, I was on the phone with Michael Bay just now.
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