Best movie of 2012!

Rating: 10/10 (1 August 2013)

The "critics" are completely wrong about this movie. Has any one read their reviews? None of them make sense! They should be commenting on acting, directing style, screenplay, etc... not whining over and over "it's SO long" This movie had great acting, from the three main characters and all the supporting actors too, good humour, awesome action scenes, a very well written script and plenty of dramatic, heartfelt scenes- not just pointless action/explosions like most blockbusters. DO NOT listen to critics- the audience score is more like it (although I give it 100%). The acting was one of the strongest points. Freeman is perfect as timid, unadventurous everyman Bilbo. McKellan delivers another top notch, nuanced performance as Gandalf. I also really enjoyed Barry Humphries' performance as the sick, delusional Goblin King. Nesbitt and Stott stood out among the dwarfs, but all were great. Richard Armitage in particular was mesmerizing in this film. A much better version of Thorin than the book. Three high lights of the film were the riddles in the dark (gripping, intriguing, and also humorous), the final warg battle (the best action scene of 2012, it was so intense!), and a scene in the mountain cave where Bofur confronts Bilbo about leaving the company. It is so touching and sad, and the look on Nesbitt's face and the way he says ''We don't belong anywhere." is truly heart breaking. Another high light is the two songs the dwarfs sing in Bag End. Granted it is a little long, and to a non fan the beginning may seem a little slow, but the time flies by, especially if you pay attention to the lovely character development going on in the opening instead of impatiently waiting for them to leave. The score in this movie is also brilliant, particularly 'Over the Misty Mountains'. If you want to see a great movie that blends hilarious humour, heart stopping action, interesting characters, a timeless story, and emotional drama, watch An Unexpected Journey! It is my favourite film of 2012 and completely equal to LOTR!