Redux: Worthy Prequel to 'Lord of the Rings'

Rating: 9/10 (25 June 2014)

This will be a redo of my previous (and frankly immature) review for 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' in which I attempt to assess the film's flaws against its weaknesses. Back in 2012, a few film critics were quick to call this film the 'Phantom Menace' of the LOTR series, and that worried me to my core. But upon watching it for the first time, I fell in love with it as I did with the original trilogy and could not see eye to eye with that negative sentiment. So far, time has done little to dent my love of this first in the Hobbit trilogy.
The story so far is simple; respectable hobbit Bilbo Baggins is invited by the wizard Gandalf the Grey to accompany a band of thirteen dwarfs led by Thorin Oakenshield, the uncrowned king of the dwarfs, to embark on an adventure to take back their lost mountain kingdom of Erebor and the treasure within from a cunning dragon named Smaug. Along the way, the band encounters a trio of hungry trolls, ferocious wargs, lofty elves, troublesome goblin hordes and cruel orcs. Out of his element, Bilbo must use his wits and determination to help the dwarfs reclaim their home and has a chance encounter with a creature that changes the fate of Middle-earth. Meanwhile, Gandalf learns from fellow wizard Radagast that a mysterious Necromancer has taken hold in the forest of Mirkwood and may be responsible for the resurgence of evil creatures in Middle-earth.
All of the actors play their characters to perfection, especially Martin Freeman as Bilbo and Richard Armitage as Thorin. Bilbo wears his personality on his sleeves; he's kind, funny, nervous, and polite to a fault, if a bit prudish, yet he becomes brave and resourceful over time. His modest sensibilities make him very relatable. Thorin is a stubborn, regal, prideful dwarf who holds restoring his people above all else. He comes to respect and even appreciate Bilbo when the hobbit displays a feat of courage in the face of adversity. The standouts among the Dwarfs include Balin, a gentle grandfatherly figure, Dwalin, a gruff and suspicious mass of muscle, Bofur, a jocular and eccentric journeyman, and Fili and Kili, the laddish, loyal nephews of Thorin; all coming across as likable and spirited in their own way. Radagast the Brown; I actually quite like him. Upon hearing the comparisons to Jar-Jar Binks I was once again worried, but now I know this: Radagast is an eccentric hermit who actively assists Gandalf in his missions, Jar-Jar is a babbling idiot; they're as different as a tree to a rubber band. The returning actors step into their parts as though they never left them; Ian McKellan is majestic and endearing as Gandalf, and Andy Serkis slips back into the role of Gollum perfectly.
As for Azog, I honestly would have preferred him to be written out so that Bolg would take his place, but I know why they included him; to be a menace to the dwarfs and work as a pawn of the Nercomancer as the series progresses, but I agree that he and many of his subordinates should not have been CGI creations. However, I don't mind the CGI for the goblins as it gives them a distinctive and overall more vermin-like look.
The prosthetics added to the grittiness of the LOTR trilogy, but with a relatively lighter story in The Hobbit, CGI can lend itself well to creating vast locations and creatures, such as the enormous Stone Giants and Goblin Caves. While I understand that most people are annoyed by excess of CGI when it came to the orcs and some sets, do we really watch these films just for their special effects and makeup artistry alone?
While I can see how many consider the first 40 minutes being too slow, the scenes in Bag End are there to give the audience an understanding of who the Dwarfs are; how they have fun, get serious and interact with the other peoples of Middle-earth; and their history is beautifully represented and gives their quest a sense of purpose. I could plausibly see the opening scenes with Old Bilbo and Frodo omitted, as well as a few minutes of the Bag End party. Peter Jackson has demonstrated a flair for beautiful visuals and it shows; Middle-earth has never looked more vibrant and colourful, giving it a more fable-like appearance, and honestly I think it suits the tone, being lighter than 'Fellowship of the Ring'. Because the story unfolded naturally and allowed characters to breathe, I can forgive the time it takes.
Howard Shore returns to orchestrate The Hobbit, and the 'Misty Mountains Cold' song has been ringing in my mind since I first heard it; equally elegiac and epic. I enjoyed seeing this lighter side of Middle-earth and its charming and adventurous tone was broken only with flashbacks to darker elements such as Smaug's initial attack and Azog's first appearance. This first part feels like an epic fairy tale, depicting a realm at peace, filled with light and wonder. I found Gandalf's speech to Galadriel of why Bilbo is part of Thorin's company due to his kindness and capacity for courage incredibly heart-warming, especially when Gandalf smiles and says that Bilbo gives him courage. I loved Bilbo showing mercy to Gollum knowing how it will affect events in the LOTR trilogy, and I loved the conclusion to Bilbo's arc in helping the Dwarfs before the climax.
Despite deviating from the book in keeping Azog alive and bringing in Radagast as a prominent character, it still kept true to the book's spirit, heart and messages while integrating the wider lore of Middle-earth, preserving the story's sense of wonder. With an adventurous story, fun and relatable characters, solid performances, stunning visuals, a vast and untamed world with a sense of magic and wonder, this first part of the Hobbit is a strong start.