A perfect fairytale movie for the whole family

Rating: 10/10 (9 January 2013)

For me this movie is a perfect fairytale movie that I wish I could have watched back when I was a kid. I am a grown man now but watching this movie took me back to my childhood. To really appreciate this movie though you have to be 3 things: 1) A fan of fantasy world in general, or particularly a fan of the world of Middlearth. 2) Someone who will not take a movie too seriously while watching it since this movie is not meant to be a "serious movie". This movie is meant to be a fun lighthearted fantasy movie, a fairytale kids would enjoy. 3) Someone who knows how to enjoy a movie experience. This means leave your cynicism at your doorstep please and head out into an adventure.
If you are unable to do any of the 3 things I mentioned you will not like the movie. If you don't like fantasy in general and are expecting a gritty realistic story you will not like the movie. Go watch the godfather instead. If you are looking for a gritty, (overly) dark fantasy story, you will not find it here. Go watch game of thrones instead. Basically, what I am saying is, if you find the idea of a rabbit power sled that carries a goofy wizard through the forest unacceptable, then this movie is not meant for you. Too bad. A fantasy setting makes this idea not only acceptable, in such a fantasy universe, these things happen every day. Two stone giants are boxing for no apparent reason. Move along and try not to get hit by a rock. Where do you think you are, this is fantasy and it is well withing the realm of possibility. Not to mention, I find all these things cool. Watch this movie with your kids, they will love it. And one last thing, the action in this movie is meant to be fun and over the top. The good guys will run in all sorts of trouble, but will come out unharmed. The fighting and chasing scenes are creative, visually stunning and fun. Also don't be one of those parents who think the violence is too much, the violence in this movie is just right and children will find it adventurous more than anything. The villains though, some monsters might scare the kids but that is what they are there for. The design of the creatures was superb. I salute Peter Jackson for making the most fun movie that came out in the last 10 years. I like it better than Lord of the rings movies, because the LOTR trilogy had a grand and an epic story from the books to follow and there was no way to make it really bad. That is why I underestimated Peter Jackson's talent and ability. I thought "oh well, he followed the epic story, character and location designs were already there, big deal. It was good but how could it not be?" But Hobbit (the book) had much less grandiose story and character development than LOTR (books), but the movie exceeded my expectations. My final verdict, I like Lord of the rings books better than Hobbit the book, but I like Hobbit the movie better than Lord of the rings movies. Hobbit, the best fantasy movie to come out in a long time.