An expected treat

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2012)

Having been a fan of Peter jackson's since the Frighteners, I am well aware that when you are going to see a peter Jackson film expect a certain amount of great visuals and expect great acting even if the story line tends to suffer a tiny bit. So I wasn't surprised going into the Hobbit that I would come out a fan because Peter Jackson delivered as expected. He showed some new scenery of New Zealand and he got the absolute perfect company of dwarfs and goblins and orcs and hobbits. Also there was a return to the familiar with some well placed return characters of Gandalf, old Bilbo,Frodo, Galadriel, Elrond, Saruman and Gollum.
What I loved and why I would recommend it? 1. The company of Dwarfs. Each and everyone of them are identifiable, even if you can't get the name of them right, each actor brings something that makes each dwarf memorable and lovable. Their camaraderie makes the drama believable and their humor lovable. (keep watch for some excellent choreography amongst them in song and fight scenes) 2. Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. He has a really cool gravitas that just makes him larger than life. I mean seriously you watch him and you forget that he is in fact a dwarf and there are creatures of middle earth taller then him. Also his love and protectiveness of his fellow dwarfs. There is a scene where it looks like a few of them might be lost and when they are not the look of heartbreak to relief was spot on. 3. Martin Freeman as Bilbo. Gosh... I can see why Peter Jackson worked the filming schedule around for him. If you are a Sherlock fan definitely watch his performance here. He just has a knack for making any character he plays vulnerable and heroic and lovable. 4. The themes of the story- While the plot points of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are similar (a quest, a stop at Rivenddell, etc) The differences that make this story unique are what make it fun.
what I wasn't too crazy about... 1. The length and the slight Deus Ex Machina feel to the end scene. Not having read the Hobbit I don't know if what happens in the last scene exists in the book but having watched the Lord of the Rings and been slightly bothered then as well... I can't help it, I was slightly bothered.
All in all if you are a fan of Lord of the rings and want to revisit Middle earth, definitely watch it. Plus... if you are watching it within the first two weeks in IMAX 3D( i think thats how long its on for)the first 9 minutes of star trek is an awesome treat.