We Are All Dependent on Nature For Our Survival!

Rating: 10/10 (2 May 2013)

I was most impressed not by Bilbo, Gandalf or the Dwarfs, but by the Brown Wizard, who is one of the Five Great Wizards of Middle Earth. Not only does he save Gandalf and the dwarfs in one incredibly brilliant move while driving a sled pulled by jackrabbits but he also fearlessly protects all life in his forest. As a solitary wizard, with only animals as his companions, he is literally a guardian angel. He is also on the front lines. Some mysterious evil force is invading his forest. He has real power and he's not afraid to use it to heal or repel evil! Tolkien was obviously an ardent environmentalist & conservationist and I'm so glad this version of The Hobbit makes that perfectly clear!
One of my other favorite scenes is when Gandalf compares his approach to combating great evil with Saruman's. I'm paraphrasing here, but Gandalf believes to fight great evil it's an accumulation of small acts of kindness and the power of compassion that in the end will triumph over great evil. While Saruman believes only great power can defeat great evil. Gandalf and Saruman's approach to combating evil are as opposite as day is to night! We all know from The Lord of the Rings who's philosophy was right in the end!