Peter Jackson has brought us back the magical world of Middle Earth and it is still as entertaining, fantastic, and magical ever

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2012)

After seeing the "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" back in December 2003, I could not help but wonder when Peter Jackson was going to make "The Hobbit." Sitting in my theater seat yesterday afternoon, with dozens of other patrons, I found myself with all smiles through Jackson's release of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."
Many things happen in the book, and it is wise on Jackson's part to split it up into multiple films. This movie ties in important events that lead up to "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy," incorporates parts of Tolkien's fifth "The Simallarion," and displays different perspectives of the world Middle-Earth. No doubt, much of this may come off as needless padding so to make the film longer and expand the novel into three films. Nevertheless, all of these additions help carry the film's plot along; it helps rather than hinders the story.
Similar faces return the screen, such as Ian McKellan as Gandalf the Grey, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, and Chistopher Lee as Saruman. In addition, there are many new faces. Michael Freeman plays a younger Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage is the Dwarven king Thorin. While McKellan, Weaving, Blanchett, and Lee simply reprise their roles, the new members to the Middle Earth world give us characters we care for. Freeman plays Bilbo to the tee—an arrogant, reluctant protagonist who at first seems wrapped up in his little hole in the ground, but becomes a small fella we admire and watch as he triumphs over seemingly impossible odds. Armitage appears a little distant in his character, but this grows apparent as the film's plot progresses, and with good reason. The other actors do a fine job as bringing the novel's characters to life, especially Sylvester McCoy as the crazed, mushroom-eating wizard Radagast the Brown.
What impressed me the most about "The Hobbit" is that Peter Jackson has brought us back to the visually mesmerizing world of Middle-Earth. This is his world, and I am glad that he is in the director's seat instead of Guillermo del Toro. Jackson has that strong attention to detail, which makes him such a great director. And when he directs, he is never at arm's length with his subjects or methods of storytelling. He makes it his goal to make the viewers appreciate the wonders of this fantasy world he has presented to us on the big screen. In other words, when I watch this movie, I am not busy paying attention to the cinematography, the set pieces, the costumes, the make up, or even the effects and acting—I am focused on being sucked into the marvels of imagination. A movie is not just a movie; it is a flawless form of escapism. That is what I love about "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and director Peter Jackson. No other filmmaker could do this with Tolkien's world.
If I had to make one criticism about this film, it would be the CGI. While the "Lord of the Rings Trilogy" was abundant in this department, it did not overuse it. The fight scenes were choreographed with actors in make-up and costumes. However, in "The Hobbit," all of the monsters are computer-generated. While this works in some places, it turns other scenes into a cartoon rather than a realistic fantasy. This may have been done as a means for the film to be converted into 3D, but it sacrifices the movie's look. Even so, I refuse to give "The Hobbit" a lower score over this discrepancy.
This movie is among the best in the fun, entertaining, and fantasy arena. I hope it earns many accolades in the technical department. 10/10