The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

For some untold reason when JRR Tolkien was marking exam papers for the now defunct school certificate, he came across a blank piece of paper...... and he wrote 'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.' Be thankful he did! 

This first line in the children's book the hobbit has become a literary masterpiece,  leading into a massive industry, giving us a fantastic trilogy of books and films revolving around life in Middle-earth.

Peter Jackson returns to his roots for the hobbit. After the incredible journey of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy he was set, he could have retired and been a hero for life, but luckily for us he carried on. Modernising King Kong and creating the emotional masterpiece of The Lonely Bones. The Hobbit I think is his best all round film, having all the traditional Jackson qualities, a panoramic screen shot, a heroic non main character, but most of all a fantastic journey.

We start off with Bilbo writing his book on the day of his birthday, nicely linking in with the Fellowship Of The Ring. He then tells us the story of Erebor the great dwarf city and how the dwarves themselves were cast out by the dragon Smaug. This gives us the background for the great quest and the reason Bilbo goes on his great adventure. Bilbo is not easily convinced though, like most hobbits he enjoys having a smoke, a pint of ale and eating. It is only due to the wise words of Gandalf he goes on his journey. The dwarves who go on the journey with Bilbo make the film much more light hearted, singing, laughing and having a good time, but altogether they show heart and determination to get their homeland back. It was also good not to hear a twangy American accent, meaning all the dwarves and characters had rustic Celtic and Brittish accents.

The film as a whole is much less sinister than Lord Of The Rings and much more family orientated, however, the book was written for children. Martin Freeman sums this up by performing as Bilbo. When I first heard he was cast I didn't think it would work, but due to the nature of the film he portrays Bilbo magnificently. Ian Mckellen gives his usual brilliance in a much more light hearted Gandalf and Richard Armitage effectively manages to turn Thorin Oakenshield into a dwarvern version of Aragorn. I thought the film was fantastic, having all the characteristics to make a good movie, which the whole family can watch. It got the Wade stamp of approval and I would give it an 8/10!

Directors: Peter Jackson    Cast: Aidan Turner, Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Billy Connolly, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Richard Armitage, Sir Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry