I was quite apprehensive about
whether or not I was going to enjoy Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R
Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ due to overwhelming concerns regarding the way it was
filmed, after the trailer alone received bad reviews at the San Diego Comic-Con
for being shot in a relatively new way it made the movie look too much like a
movie set and less like Middle Earth. On top of that I also bought tickets to
the 3D showing (An accident) which made me even more wary of what I was walking
into. However I was very pleasantly surprised.
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| Source: MovieStore/ Rex Features |
Martin Freeman (Sherlock,
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) compellingly plays Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit who
enjoys a quiet lifestyle like the majority of Hobbits. Whilst much of his own
generally awkward personality reflects onto his portrayal of Bilbo, it doesn’t
put the viewer off, nor does it ruin the feel of the film. On one quiet day,
Bilbo gets a visit from Gandalf the Grey, who is played by the wonderful Ian
Mckellen (X-men, The Da vinci Code) the aftermath that follows this is 13
Dwarves turning up in Bilbo’s Hobbit hole demanding food and hospitality.
There is one main scene that really
captured my attention and will stick in my mind for a long time, and this is
not a spoiler for the film because it gives none of the plot away. The scene is
in Bilbo’s home, all of the dwarves have quietened down, they are gathered
around the fire and the entire group starts singing such a melancholic song.
The atmosphere felt in the film is passed onto the audience, so much so the
viewer gets caught up in the emotions that are occurring on the screen.
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| Source: Newline Cinema |
There are many cameos from
characters in that we grew to love, or in some cases hate in the Lord of the
Rings trilogy. Elijah Wood returns as Frodo which was truly wonderful to
witness again, and also Ian Holm returns to the franchise as the older version
of Bilbo. Amongst the tremendous cameos are Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett who
in the Lord of the Rings trilogy played the elves, Elrond and Galadriel. And of
course how could one forget Andy Serkis and Christopher Lee who return as
Gollum and Saruman (I may have become a little enraged when Saruman made his
entrance)
There are a lot of things I could
comment on that make this movie truly fantastic, but unfortunately I only have
one page and I have to keep it short and spoiler free! Although occasionally
you can feel your attention slipping from the film, it will almost immediately
return to you. Even if you haven’t seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy this film
is meant to be the prequel, so it’s still worth seeing it. Yet again the score
is absolutely wonderful and contributes so much to the atmosphere felt in the
film. Please go and see this film, or buy it on DVD when it is released because
you will really not regret it. I give this 5 out of 5 stars because it is truly
fantastic, and as one of the most anticipated movies of the year, Jackson
certainly has not disappointed.
