Chix Chat on Film Review: More Middle Earth mayhem.

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2012)

I am truly happy when an original story is brought to the big screen, in the case of The Hobbit it is by no means original, but Peter Jackson's treatment of it makes it feel original and new. I expected to be transported back into a world full of fantasy and adventure and was not disappointed. The opening scenes with Bilbo (Ian Holm) felt comfortable and familiar for easing into a nice long sitting. The running time was longer than I would have preferred but it is what it is. This story filled in some holes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy specifically how Bilbo (Martin Freeman) came to possess the one ring, what mass destruction came to fall upon Moria, how golf was invented and what caused the rift between the Dwarfs and Elves. This film invests the viewer in the future of the Dwarfs. There was a regal aura about Thorin (Richard Armitage), the Dwarf King portrayal was first rate and made the harrowed journey that had brought him to this point clear, as was the reason for his no nonsense demeanor. Gandalf (Ian McClellan) at several points in the film seemed to be the main focus of the story, I had to consciously remember that this was a story about a hobbit. The manipulation of events by Gandalf which allowed the adventure to take a detour to Rivendell delivered even more familiar faces. It brought a smile to my face seeing Elrond (Hugo Weaving) and Lady Galadriel (Cate Blanshett), but I wouldn't have minded seeing Legolas once more. I couldn't help but grimace a bit when Saruman (Christopher Lee) entered the equation and began casting doubt on what was actually taking place, especially since his nefarious intentions are clearly known. This film has beautiful expansive landscapes, exquisite special effects and engaging characters. My only complaint was the two hours and forty plus minutes running time, that added with the trailers was just more time than I wanted to commit to a film, however when I emerged from the theater some three hours later it felt as though I had been in time warp, because at the end of the film that wasn't an end but a beginning, I was left wanting more. What could possibly be wrong with a film that has all nature of fantasy and where the pastime of the peaceful hobbits and wizards is puffing on a pipe with questionable contents? I give it a green light.