Why three hours?

Rating: 5/10 (19 December 2012)

On learning that The Hobbit, a 400 page children's book was to be extended over three films (Unexpected Journey being the first) it seemed Peter Jackson may have been seeking a compromise between the children friendly book and the more darker and foreboding LOTR trilogy. Unsurprisingly, An Unexpected Journey fails to transcend the source material, although it is debatable if this was Jackson's intention.
The first fifty minutes is actually the most impactful (Gollum's appearance not too far behind). There are nice homage's to LOTR and it provides the necessary back-story. Most importantly, it enables the twelve dwarfs to be more than a generic rabble just fighting and squabbling. Martin Freeman starts as he ends the film, playing Bilbo Baggins with aplomb, in a fine performance, providing the understated and yet determined nature of the intrepid adventurer. Once Bilbo leaves Bag End however the magic ceases.
The rest of the film is a number of set-pieces which fail to propel the story. What we have is an A to B to C without an emotional arch or purposeful plot. One continues to watch An Unexpected Journey waiting for Jackson to rein in on the needless superfluous activity but it does not happen. It is at this juncture that one begins to accept, rather belatedly, that An Unexpected Journey is not the cross-over adaptation that one may have hoped. Jackson's 'off-the-map' excursion with Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf and Saruman only help to conflate rather than placate the elder viewer.
The special effects are satisfactory, if not altogether an improvement on LOTR. Unfortunately, this is for me An Unexpected Journey's biggest fault. It becomes apparent through the effects that Jackson has decided, pardon the juxtaposition, 'evil-friendly'. The appearance of the Great Goblin and his cohorts, Azogand his wolves are much less menacing than LOTR and have an intentional illusory, and non-frightening composition. Can one even forgive the over-intrusive nature of the subtitles?
If more credence is needed that An Unexpected Journey is a more youthful creation one only need to look at the manner in which Bilbo comes across Gollum, and the way in which the Company fall into the Goblin Kingdom. One has to suspend disbelief at the comic book survival skills of the party (noticeably altered from the book too).
An Unexpected Journey does have its moments. There is some fun bravado, a couple of meaningful montages, and some much needed pathos. The acting is of the highest quality.
I have to conclude that An Unexpected Journey was intended for a younger audience, and I cannot begrudge Jackson for this. However, the three hour long running time is just unnecessary when to all intents and purposes a longer film would be more inclined to an older audience. As a consequence An Unexpected Journey should be cut with big scissors. A big disappointment and I only hope that parts two and three try to provide a more menacing and intelligent cross-over.