I just got back from a midnight showing of the first Hobbit film, and it was phenomenal stepping back into Middle Earth under Peter Jackson's guidance. The movie was a three-hour cinematic extravaganza. I had read several other reviews, but I realize that many visitors to my blog may not have done so, so I will try to refrain from too many references to what someone else has written.
*Initial Disclaimer* I saw the film in 2D, and at 24 frames per second. I cannot and will not comment on the new format in any way.
The prologue was exceptional. Ian Holm's voiceover provides the absolute perfect narration for the story of the Lonely Mountain and how the Dwarves lost this greatest of their ancestral kingdoms. My only complaint was that we didn't see more of Smaug: I understand completely that he's being saved for the second film, but several parts felt like a little too much effort was going into hiding him from the audience. But the shots of Thorin and Balin were especially effective, as they help establish the two as peers among the Company. Where the other Dwarves see this as an exciting, danger-packed adventure, only Thorin and Balin appear to actually appreciate the full weight of their undertaking.
As the perfect addition to the prologue, we see an understated and even casual appearance by Elijah Wood's Frodo--I don't know if we should give credit to digital effects, makeup wizardry, or simple genetic lottery, but Wood doesn't seem to have aged a day in the eleven years between films. The setting is instantly and concretely established: we are back in Jackson's Hobbiton, and it quickly feels as though we never really left.
Martin Freeman is an absolute joy as Bilbo; his comedic timing couples with a very powerful sincerity that frankly I had not been expecting--he immediately is Bilbo, all the silly, uncertain, and endearing qualities of the character shine though across the entire film.
Sir Ian McKellen barely needs mentioning after his astounding performance in the LotR Trilogy, but one thing must be said: McKellen has repeatedly remarked that he much prefers Gandalf the Grey over Gandalf the White, and this film underlines that distinction perfectly. Gandalf here is once again the heartwarming, grouchy old codger that fans fell in love with in the Fellowship.
That brings us to Richard Armitage as the legendary Thorin Oakenshield. Armitage delivers a simply masterful performance, and Peter Jackson starts us off perfectly (I'm going to wear that word out entirely before the end of this review...) by introducing us to Thorin separately from the other Dwarves. There is an exceptional line written by Tolkien himself in the Appendix to The Lord of the Rings:
"The embers in the heart of Thorin grew hot again, as he brooded on the wrongs of his house and the vengeance upon the dragon that he had inherited. He thought of weapons and armies and alliances, as his great hammer rang in his forge; but the armies were dispersed and the alliances broken and the axes of his people were few; and a great anger without hope burned him as he smote the red iron on the anvil."
Armitage makes us see this--and feel it--with every movement he makes and every word he speaks. In him we truly see King Thorin the Second, but a king in exile...and it eats at his heart with every passing moment.
So what worked...and what didn't? The Unexpected Party itself was phenomenal...but I admit I was mildly annoyed with Bilbo's sudden decision to up and run after the Dwarves. It lent the character a strength that maybe he needed, but it looks to run against the character we established the night before. It comes down to a sudden, impulsive decision, and that doesn't quite work with Bilbo for me.
Still, the moment is quickly over and we're swept along to Balin's account of the Battle of Azanulbizar: a stunningly effective piece, though for my part I had a fleeting wish for the battle to be more structured and less of a backdrop. But the main point of the flashback is to put Thorin's character into perspective: Thorin Oakenshield is very much an epic hero, stepping up to take his place among the ranks of Achilles or Odysseus--I would even argue that Thorin Oakenshield is the only such epic hero to appear in person within the narrative of The Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings. Knowing what awaits him in the story's finale (brilliantly foreshadowed with the prologue's depiction of his grandfather) is almost heartrending.
Roast Mutton was staggeringly wonderful. Almost identical to the book, with the addition of the trolls threatening Bilbo to force the Dwarves to surrender--coupled with a moment of legitimate suspense as we wonder whether Thorin will submit or not to save Bilbo's life. Jackson also has Bilbo himself stalling the trolls until dawn, along with a very effective moment wherein Thorin is the first of the Dwarves to realize what he's up to and silence the others' objections.
Radagast's storyline was wonderful--though the spectral Ringwraith struck me as just a bit...cartoonish. :/ Sylvester McCoy was exceptional in the role, lending a strong dose of humor and hinting at why Saruman holds him in such extreme scorn.
The White Council was absolutely brilliant--and I really enjoyed seeing this laid-back version of Elrond. In the LotR Trilogy, Hugo Weaving received the lion's share of "doom, gloom, and ominous" exposition, so to see a warmer Elrond was very satisfying. Christopher Lee here presents a glimpse into Saruman the Wise--and yet also the haughty. Surely we're seeing here the pride that comes before his fall.
The Goblintown scene was a breathtaking action piece, and yet in story terms was monumentally overshadowed by the Riddles in the Dark interaction between Bilbo and Gollum. I have a good-natured gag about vying for the title of coolest man ever born on April 20th, but a lot of that depends on Andy Serkis stumbling...and it's not happening yet. (Could you stop being badass for like five minutes, Serkis??) Gollum was a groundbreaking character ten years ago when The Two Towers was released...and now he's better. Like...much better! The Riddles in the Dark scene will rightly be remembered as the highlight of the film...and the entire film is essentially one big highlight reel to begin with.
The later interactions between Bilbo and Thorin were unbelievable. The Hobbit's reappearance after the mountain crossing set up one of the most emotionally powerful scenes of the movie...only to be eclipsed just a few minutes later. The final scene with the two, standing on the Carrock after Bilbo has stepped in (way over his head) to save Thorin's life was downright beautiful.
And once again, we're left with a little bit of a tease with Smaug--though I really enjoyed setting up the thrush knocking on the stone. If I have one complaint about the Hobbit, it's that we have to wait another year to see part 2.
