A joy to watch

Rating: 8/10 (19 January 2013)

I'm a big fan of Tolkien and I am really glad to see the Hobbit on the screen; nonetheless, I have to say turning the Hobbit into a trilogy is not a flawless idea. I believe two films would have been much better. Jackson made the right decision to connect the Hobbit story to the long war of Dwarfs and Orcs and the background Middle-earth story of the White Council and the appearance of Necromancer/Sauron in Dol Goldur. Even with this rich background story,two films would have done justice. And for big fans, like me, the fine, excellent bits could find their way in the extended editions. You finish the Unexpected Journey and you find that you haven't reached the 100th page in the Hobbit book. No line has been missed.
SPOILERS FROM HERE
Though boring to some, telling all the details had its interests for many, including me. The prologue about Smaug's attack on Dale, the White Council in Rivendell, Radagast's visit to Dol Goldur and Bilbo's game of riddles with Gollum, which I think was the shining spot of the film. Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis stand out in the whole film. The acting was great, but except for Thorin and Balin, the rest of the Dwarfs lacked any depth in character. The music and the scenery were great too, as expected.
SPOILERS ENDED
In short, I think all the Tolkien fans and all those who enjoyed the Lord of the Rings films would like the Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey, though they should not expect an epic as grand as LOtR.