Some entertainment, but totally repetitive

Rating: 5/10 (19 December 2012)

A group of fantasy figures go on a quest across a dangerous landscape to a great high mountain, meeting and fighting a range of fantastical creatures on the way. LOTR - 'Fellowship of the Ring?', um, no, 'The Hobbit - Unexpected Journey' or should that be LOTR1 a total repeat of LOTR1V? Yes, this time it is Dwarfs (guided by Gandalf) in search of their lost homeland, who pick up Bilbo Baggins on the way. What happens? Lots of CGI fighting (at least two too many Orc encounters, a ridiculous video game of chopping off/killing loads of Goblins, who do not seem to have done anyone any harm, and a trio of Trolls masquerading as the Three Stooges), lots of declamatory mock-medieaval honour statements of courage and righteousness, and endless repetitive helicopter shots of New Zealand's Southern Alps showing the group trudging to the destination ( and, boy, does the trudge go on slowly). Many have called the film too long - it is - but not because of the forty minute introduction, but because of totally unbelievable lengthy CGI sequences. I will go potty if the heroes fall miles through caverns again without a scratch. No, it is no longer breathtaking and awesome, but mere repetition because the script is so utterly unoriginal and predictable. And the other thing is a terrible sequence where we are re-introduced to the lowlights of Gollum who plays riddles with Bilbo, who gets hold of the Ring (ooh, big deal!). Let us get it straight once and for all, whenever Gollum is on screen he slows the film down to snail's pace. The first minute you saw him, gobsmacked, the second minute cartoonish, dreadfully one note and repetitive, and inaudible, third minute you wanted someone to stick a knife in him - not give Andy Serkis a career and apparent genius rating! What saves the film? Martin Freeman as Everyman - a clear English rural character who saw out his duty in the trenches in WW1 and fought above the White Cliffs as a Sergeant Pilot in WW2. He acts well and his character develops. There is a narrative thrust - if incredibly familiar. And you want things to happen - not watch Gandalf slyly look at Bilbo's pocket and nod as if he knows 'The Ring' is there.
But the final moment leading on to LOTR2 - how could you Mr Jackson repeat the US 'Godzilla' poster? I think you have nothing more to say - get a new team in with some new fresh ideas, or are modern audiences just hooked on over familiarity?