The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (*** out of ****)

For fans of the book and it's style, The Hobbit will probably a entertaining ride. However in the eyes of those who treat this as any run of the mill film will find it tiresome and inconsistent. Regardless there are scenes of grand adventure here, many developing characters, and a broad sense of comedy.

In the prequel of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bilbo Baggins(Martin Freeman perfectly casted) joins Gandalf and a company dwarves in a quest to reclaim their mountain homeland that was stolen from them by a ferocious dragon. Director Peter Jackson has decided to make one book into three films and while unnecessary does an admirable job with it. Many of the added or expanded scenes ties in naturally with the flow of the film. However that doesn't mean the movie doesn't drag. The Hobbit can be repetitive in themes and some scenes carry on perhaps longer than they should. However in the larger schemes of things, it doesn't detract from overall magic of the movie. The later half is a spellbinding and high caliber fun. Scenes of drama and action mix effortlessly.  Fans of the series should be delighted which is really the the goal of this whole project. It's an accomplishment.

Also if you have the chance to see the film in 48fps (frames per second), give it a shot. It's the Peter Jackson intended it and personally I have never seen a better looking movie.

*** out of ****