The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Directed by: Peter Jackson | 169 minutes | adventure, fantasy | Actors: Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Stephen Fry, Christopher Lee, Evangeline Lilly, Richard Armitage, Ian Holm, Lee Pace, Aidan Turner, Bret McKenzie, Brian Blessed, James Nesbitt, Mikael Persbrandt, Barry Humphries, Graham McTavish, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Dominic Keating, Jed Brophy, Sylvester McCoy, Dean O’Gorman, Renee Cataldo, Jeffrey Thomas, Stephen Hunter, John Callen, William Kircher, Peter Hambleton, Adam Brown, Mark Hadlow, Michael Mizrahi, Robin Kerr, Ryan Gage, Ray Henwood, Shane Boulton, Craig Hall, Thomas Rimmer, Kiran Shah, James Trevena-Brown, Eric Vespe

It was exciting for a while, but we can breathe a sigh of relief: the first ‘The Hobbit’ film, ‘An Unexpected Journey’, does not disappoint. Far from. There were several reasons to be hesitant. It took a long time for production to get off the ground; there was a change of directors (Guillermo del Toro gave way to ‘Rings’ director Peter Jackson); and spreading the thin book over three films seemed a bit too much of a good thing. Could Jackson have overplayed his hand? Of course, we won’t know for sure until all three ‘Hobbit’ films can be viewed, but based on the first film, ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’, there is no reason to assume this.

Almost all additions to the original story only deepen or enliven the film. It also makes a difference that the additions are usually not invented by Jackson and his writers (Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh) but by Professor Tolkien himself, often coming from the appendices of ‘The Lord of the Rings’. So much happened simultaneously with the events of ‘The Hobbit’ that was not mentioned in that book itself. This means, for example, that in the first ‘Hobbit’ movie, a presence that seems to have something to do with the “big eye” in “The Lord of the Rings” can be introduced right away, suggesting a larger world. , in which everything is connected and (possibly) evil forces are at work. It just adds a little extra weight. Still, Jackson has come a long way on his own strength.

‘The Hobbit’ may not be your standard children’s book, but it started out as a story for Tolkien’s own children, and the style is generally more light-hearted and humorous than its sequel ‘The Lord of the Rings’. And even though the tone gets more and more grim and serious as Bilbo’s journey progresses, it still feels a bit less menacing and epic than ‘Rings’. Jackson has managed to adapt a sleeve here in various ways. Sometimes surprisingly subtle. For starters, he makes the gold to be recovered a little less important and the main motivation of the dwarves seems to be to recapture their realm and their home. This makes it a bit easier to get emotionally involved with these characters, and it also fits in nicely with (some of) the theme of ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Bilbo initially goes along purely out of a need for adventure, but when eventually orcs, trolls and dragons have to be fought, it’s nice to know that it really is about something.

Because there is fighting in ‘The Hobbit’: with orcs, who are constantly on the heels of our heroes, but also with other monstrous creatures, a specialty of Jackson. And the story may have started as a story for children, the film is absolutely not suitable for (small) children. Yes, there’s some nice humor in the film – with tumbling dwarves and pleasantly deranged characters – but the terrifying wargs’ mouths, the hideous goblins, intimidating trolls, and some fine beheadings also in the film make ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ is not immediately a suitable candidate for a children’s party. Presumably because an ever-present evil is (mostly) missing from the film this time, and because the dragon Smaug showdown has been postponed to a later film, Jackson brings to the fore a villain mentioned in the book ‘The Hobbit’ only in passing. This character is now a constant threat to our travel group and also appears to have a personal score with one of the dwarfs. Reminiscent of Lurtz, the leader of the Uruk-Hai in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, this villain provides some successful moments of tension.

This first ‘Hobbit’ film is a major experience: the viewer falls from one surprise to the next. At some point, so much action is chained together and such athletic antics are pulled that the term “roller coaster ride” can be taken more and more literally. Especially the confrontations in the Goblin caves are acrobatic. Some more moments of rest could have been built in; if there is too much action, there is a risk that the sense of danger actually diminishes (which sometimes happens here). There is something to be said for a careful build-up of tension. Still, the action sequences are usually so entertaining and visually impressive that their presence can hardly be faulted. And once Bilbo lands in the cave of a well-known, fawning character from ‘The Lord of the Rings’, Peter Jackson shows that he can handle character moments and create excellent subcutaneous tension.

The presence of characters from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ that are not originally in ‘The Hobbit’ hardly ever bothers (only in Rivendell it becomes a bit too much of a “greatest hits” collection). The way ‘The Hobbit’ is introduced by Bilbo, who tells his story to Frodo, works very well. It immediately feels familiar and complements existing knowledge with new ones. For example, when Frodo tells Bilbo that he is going to meet Gandalf and Bilbo tells him not to be late, this is a nice nod to the later dialogue (from ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’) about how a “wizard is never late ”. The beginning of the story in the Shire, and young Bilbo’s introduction to all thirteen dwarfs, is flawless. The character and dry sense of humor of Bilbo, but also the jovial (and sometimes weighty) nature of the dwarves is clearly apparent, and there is even a nice place for song and rhyme, an important part of Tolkien’s stories. It seems that Ian McKellen did have some doubts about playing Gandalf again (for such a long time), but he couldn’t bear the idea of ​​someone else playing this iconic role. And luckily, because he is, as always, the ideal Gandalf. He is learned, extremely powerful and imposing when needed, but he also comes across as human. He sometimes gets grumpy and sometimes overlooks something. The biggest discovery is Martin Freeman as Bilbo. He is witty, quick-witted, proud, but also timid and engaging. Above all, despite his lack of (recent) experience with adventures, he is a hobbit with spunk. He is always interesting to watch, and a perfect young version of Ian Holm as (old) Bilbo, who put a similar naughtiness into his portrayal.

Visually, little has changed, and that’s good news. The costumes, weapons, and sets are just as detailed and lovingly created, the camerawork is as sweeping and grand as ever and the New Zealand landscape is just as stunning. The film isn’t completely flawless, but it’s a glorious feast of recognition and absolute top entertainment nonetheless. The film again features many memorable characters – both old and new – and effortlessly takes you into a fanciful, magical world as only Jackson seems to be able to bring to life (on film). December 12, 2013 and 2014 can also be put in the agenda for ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’, and ‘The Hobbit: There and Back Again’. Anyone who has grown tired of Middle-earth and its inhabitants will probably have little interest in seeing this film, but for those who care about this place and people, ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ is a must. .