A well-fit adaptation to the infamous fable.

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2013)

A quiet and peaceful hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, having never known danger and adventure, is called to suddenly embark for an unexpected journey.
As far as the acting goes, Ian McKellen's performance is enjoyable albeit conventional. The choice of Martin Freeman playing Bilbo was a pleasant surprise as he inarguably draws the attention of the audience with his witty performance. No wonder Peter Jackson insisted on him. The dwarfs bunch serve well, either for comic-relief or for a couple of formidable moments.
While the book features no stylistic continuity with the LotR trilogy, the movie clearly recognizes its predecessor and strives to appear familiar to the fans. As such, the appearances of some LotR characters are to be expected, even when the book doesn't supposes to. Some well-known musical tunes are back as well. Despite these, the overall theme of the movie remains slightly deviant to the trilogy and more loyal to the original, "fairy-taleish" material. We see strange creatures and weird, comedic situations, giants and magic more often than not.
The director's decision to cut the story in three separate films allows time for an explicit introduction (to the point that it may tire) and adequate character development. Those who expect closure though will be disappointed.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a deserving prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy and a well-fit adaptation to the infamous fable known as "The Hobbit: There and Back Again". It's nearly everything it could be, no more nor less.