It’s been awhile since Peter Jackson wowed us. The early noughties saw the critically acclaimed behemoth The Lord of the Rings grace the silver screen, a magnificent feat he has not topped since. King Kong was unexceptional and The Lovely Bones simply unwatchable. Hence, it was with trepidation that I approached The Hobbit, one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s most beloved literary works.

 

When the dwarf kingdom of Erebor is forcefully occupied by dragon Smaug, twelve dwarves headed by Thorin (Richard Armitage) team up with hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and wizard Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen) to reclaim it. However, this is only the first part in a trilogy that is being created out of a single book. By all means, a cash cow for New Line, MGM and Wingnut but are the fans really complaining? 

 

 

 

 

They have little reason to, considering that An Unexpected Journey is surprisingly satisfactory. Audiences may find the content rather tame considering LOTR had plenty more to dazzle with, nevertheless Jackson’s epic beginning seldom lags. He fleshes out backstory, documenting the most minor encounters and major battles, throwing in passably cheesy humour, all the while keeping the layman entertained. This will likely satisfy the die-hards who were discontent with a more condensed LOTR.

 

WETA Workshop and Digital have produced yet another spectacular Middle-Earth, replete with dazzlingly convincing mise en scene and plausible computer graphics – a rarity nowadays in a CGI-driven Hollywood.

 

 

 

 

What did irritate was the recycling of much of Howard Shore’s LOTR score: Jackson conveniently slots it into similar situations that occur in this picture, creating awkwardly predictable scenarios. However, this repetition – Jackson’s way of pandering to his fans – does not take its toll on the picture as it is occasionally put to relevant use in key scenes. 

 

Bilbo Baggins is Freeman’s forte: he is an apt choice. Normally known for bagging supporting parts, he claims the lead in this piece, bringing an inkling of slapstick to the role.

 

If sequels The Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again are anything like their predecessor, Jackson will have certainly hit another home run. 

 

Now showing at Savoy Cinema in 3D.

 

Reviewed by Rehan Mudannayake