Easily Brings Back The Old "LOTR" Magic

Rating: 9/10 (6 March 2017)

When Peter Jackson adapted the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy from J.R.R. Tolkien onto the big screen, it became one of the most epic film series of all-time, full of drama, action, adventure, and fantasy. Now, "The Hobbit" is back on the big screen (once again from Jackson) and manages to fully recapture that old magic.
For a basic plot summary, "The Hobbit" is the tale of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is unexpectedly called upon by Gandalf the Wizard (Ian McKellen) to participate in a grand adventure to help a group of dwarfs regain their long-lost treasure. Along the way, the group encounters such creatures as trolls, orcs, goblins, and even a sad, slimy little creature who seems to have multiple personalities and is in possession of a very powerful item.
Though many reviews of this movie were quite negative, calling it overblown, strange, or even outright boring, it had the complete opposite effect on me. As a huge fan of LOTR, I felt as if I had been transported back into that fantasy universe once again, and I loved every minute of it. Though the decision to break the one Tolkien book into three movies is controversial from a number of different viewpoints (from ticket sales to subject matter), I can now say that it will (at the very least) be fun to have two more theater experiences inside that LOTR realm.
Perhaps the most interesting part of "The Hobbit" experience, however, is the fact that its role in the overall scheme of things (in comparison to the book) is actually just about as opposite as it could be. "The Hobbit" book was written as a tale for his children, and thus had a very lighthearted tone. When it was eventually published and achieved great success, Tolkien then decided to write the much more serious LOTR. However, seeing as how the LOTR series was put on the big screen FIRST, it was a challenge to the filmmakers to get the tone right: Stay true to the tone of the book (sometimes goofy), and the LOTR geeks will cry foul. Be too "serious", and the book enthusiasts will discount you. Overall, I felt as if Jackson did a solid job of walking that fine line, as this one does have more fun moments than any of the LOTR pictures.
Overall, I really have nothing bad to say about "The Hobbit". I have enjoyed the story since I was a child, so to see it done right on the big screen is a treat beyond imagination. To me, it was neither boring nor stale, but rather exciting and intense. Though strange that the journey will not be complete for nearly two years, I will thoroughly enjoy the next two films if they are anything like the quality of this one.