Exquisite Attention to Detail

Rating: 10/10 (11 January 2013)

My conclusion upon watching this film and talking to others about it, is that if you are a fan of the Tolkien Universe, and not just the individual stories, then you will be a fan of this movie. That is because of the remarkably skillful inclusion of countless minor details and subtexts that Jackson has drawn from the Tolkien canon. The great thing about the Hobbit, both as a book and now as a movie, was that the lighter subject material allowed a greater exploration of the world of Middle Earth, so much of which is never actually written about in the Lord of the Rings. Places such as Mirkwood, Dale, the Kingdom of Angmar... before this movie they are just names on a map. But now Jackson has brought them to life.
I was really worried prior to seeing this film, that it wouldn't live up to its predecessors and would veer into childish cliché. But this movie is such a magnificent rendition of Tolkien's world that I was left breathless after the first viewing, and have watched it with satisfaction about ten times since. Everything is spectacular - the acting, the costumes, the scenery. The dialogue is witty and I still laugh at the troll scene after watching it a dozen or so times. Jackson tackles the difficult task of characterising thirteen dwarfs with mastery, and you will find yourself growing attached to them and all their individual quirks (from the eye candy of Kili and Fili to the warrior Dwalin and the comic relief of Bofur and Ori). Special mention to Richard Armitage, who absolutely blew me away with his portrayal of Thorin Oakenshield, truly bringing that character to life and adding so much depth to him that wasn't included in the book. Ian McKellan is spectacular as Gandalf, as always, and Martin Freeman is just perfect as Bilbo. I could not be happier with this movie! As a Tolkien fanatic, it satisfied everything I dreamt of seeing in a movie rendition of the Hobbit. I can't wait for the next movies now, and pray that the same level of quality is maintained.