Unexpectedly magical journey!!

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2012)

One of the main problems of the "star wars" latest trilogy was the difference in time between chapter VI and chapter I. The filmmaking was so different that it was hard getting into that universe again. This time, however, the things are quite different. From the beginning you have the nice sensation of coming back to the same middle-earth that your visited ten years ago.
Photography is great, setting is amazing, visuals are OK, not superb but they do the trick, costumes and makeup are outstanding and the sound and ost are top-notch. In those aspects everything is as fine as it was in the previous trilogy, but there are differences in the story itself and how it is told.
I have never read anything of Tolkien so I can't compare the movie with the book but I can tell you some differences between the first movie of this new trilogy and the old one. One of the things that bothered me of LOTR trilogy was that in such a magical environment, fantastic world, sometimes I found myself lost between so many hierarchical and aristocratic references. It was so "medieval", full of wars that, in my opinion, the story lacked of magic sometimes. In this one, from beginning to the end the entire movie is full of magic. It is so magical, fantastic, epic, funny, ridiculously entertaining... absolutely unforgivable.
Sincerely I think that director Peter Jackson have done what he wanted without restrictions. His filmmaking shares the same mistakes that he made in LOTR, but for me, at least, the direction seems more refreshing, more genuine... I can't explain properly but there is something different and better.
Following with the main character, the only thing I can say is that I love Bilbo Bolsom. A thousand time better that Frodo was, not just the character, the actor too. Martin Freeman makes a brilliant performance and he shows that he's better than Elijah Wood. Ian McEllen plays his best Gandalf (yes, Gandalf was actually a mage and not a mere swordsman!!) and about the dwarfs I just want you to see the movie and make your own opinion about them. I can't be objective, impossible.
In conclusion,the potential of the technical capabilities of our days, a marvelous story, and the magical direction by an inspired director create a totally amazing, classical masterpiece for all audiences. One of this year's movies and one of fantasy-adventure genre's best films of all-times.
One thing: if what you liked the most in LOTR were the never ending battles between large armies, the parts involving humans and their crown, nobility, succession matters or if you are the typical who just love the elves, their immortality, beauty, purity... probably you will find this movie disappointing.