Amazing!

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2012)

OK. I was one of the many who guffawed at the idea of this relatively short book being turned into a trilogy. I assumed this was a box office ploy, plain and simple. However, being the Tolkien nut that I am I still made it for opening weekend (which I pretty much NEVER do now that I have small boy -- more on that at the end of this review).
Wow. Talk about pleasant surprises. From the minute the movie opens and takes us off to Lake-town and Dwarven Kingdom of Erebor (before the dragon Smaug unleashes his attack) it is clear that Peter Jackson is dropping us back into the same Middle Earth he introduced in LOTR. A Middle Earth that is extremely rich in history and could (dare I say it) spawn dozens of movies.
I have seen complaints that the opening in Hobbiton (where Bilbo is recruited to the company of Thorin) drags. These will not be fans of the book as the movie takes its time and stays true to the narrative in very satisfying manner. Those who are in it for the action need only wait until the second hour when the battles begin in epic fashion and actually border on "over the top." However, the sparkling 3D imagery (see it with the High Frame Rate if possible) is truly entertaining and rarely feels forced. While Peter Jackson could have easily trimmed down the battle scenes I think he wanted to be sure all movie goers (not just us Middle Earth geeks) felt they were getting their money's worth.
Of course we knew that Gandalf (Ian Mckellan) would be in the movie and if you watched even one trailer you knew Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) would be back as well. However, the presence of Frodo (Elijah Wood) and the older Bilbo (Ian Holm) at the beginning, then later Elrond (Hugo Wallace Weaving), Saruman (Christopher Lee) and, of course, Gollum really give this film a strong bond to LOTR and make it feel like a true prequel (unlike another recent much-hyped Hollywood prequel trilogy).
Jackson does a remarkable job of staying true to the tone he created for Middle Earth in LOTR while managing to water things down just enough to ensure that the Hobbit (unlike LOTR) remains the children's story it is. If the Goblin King seems a little comical (and not so scary), well, that is intentional. If Radagast the Brown (a lower wizard) seems a bit silly, again, that is intentional. In fact, the conceptualization of Radagast who is only briefly mentioned by Tolkien is a great example of Peter Jackson's brilliance. Peter Jackson takes a few liberties but they are taken with care and even the passionate LOTR fan is likely to suspect that the details added to his character (with the possible exception of his "rabbit sled") are bits that Tolkien would likely appreciate.
Now, this is a children's movie and I have a 6 y/o boy. I really wanted to take him but I showed him the trailer and Gollum scared the pants off him so he went to the zoo with Mom while I enjoyed this fabulous weekend treat. I knew right away I made the correct decision. I am no parenting expert but just because this movie is geared more towards younger viewers than LOTR certainly does not mean it is for all kids. I suspect 8 or 9 years is roughly the age needed to grasp the larger plot points and not be freaked out by the many scary creatures of Middle Earth. Yes, the violence is reduced compared to LOTR but the huge wolves (Wargs) and Orcs are just as scary to look at. Although we are only given glimpses of the mighty dragon Smaug (awesome foreshadowing) he will unquestionably be epic and terrifying (at least to young viewers) when he is released upon the screen. I can't wait.