Thanks to HFR3D, a failure of EPIC proportions.

Rating: 1/10 (15 December 2012)

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is a failure of epic proportions. If you see it in HFR 3D, that is. And after having spent almost $20 to see it and hate it, I am certainly not going to pay to sit through all two hours and fifty minutes in a different format as the film itself didn't impress me enough to even consider doing that right now. So, I guess it will have to wait.
So, with that, after months of anticipation, the film was ruined.
Watching this film in HFR was like watching a high-budget PBS television version of the movie, rendering everything to look second rate and really quite ridiculous, including special effects which look like they were lifted from a video game...or a student film. It was like it was made to look like a movie which would only appeal to five-year olds.
Mr. Jackson, what were you thinking? Within minutes of the film starting, I couldn't believe it was filmed in such a horrible format which should be saved for sitcoms. The film was immediately rendered a joke. And I still had one hundred and sixty-five minutes to sit through. When I bought my tickets to the film six weeks ago, there was no mention of different formats besides being in 3D. I would never have chosen to watch this film in HFR if I had known in advance. And quite frankly, I think Jackson or the cineplex should give me my money back.
So, it's tough to write a proper review of the film because every detail, every word, every effect came across as simply childlike and horribly mediocre simply due to the format. The film seemed to drag on forever and I just couldn't wait for it to end.
So, the only advice I can tell you? See it on 3D IMAX....and let me know how it is. Because all I saw was a second-rate disappointment.