Simply Spectacular

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2012)

I wasn't expecting this film would this good. Somehow, I kept thinking stretching the material into three long films would lessen its magic, but when Peter Jackson directs, we know he will raise the bar.
The opening scenes move a little slowly, and it's hard to keep track of who is who. There are hints of who will be central to the story, and the dinner scene muddles his introduction because of the "festive and chaotic nature" of the guests. Once the party gets on their journey, things pick up, and we are treated to the gorgeous vistas, the superbly choreographed action and fantasy scenes, which are rarely equaled in cinema. Soon, we encounter all types of fantastic creatures, and we get to see familiar faces along the way. Much welcome is the magical entrance by Galadiel, beautifully played by Blanchett, one of the most versatile actors working now.
The dwarfs' quest is to regain control of their land again, but there will be plenty of people/creatures/entities that might not be willing to cooperate or might even try to destroy them. Add to that, a long-going feud between two leaders, and the stakes are high. As Bilbo agrees to follow, he will also have his own personal challenges, and he will take possession of the mystical ring that will become center of the later trilogy. It's a fantastic scene, as we see how Bilbo grows before our eyes, and Gollum is introduced into the storyline. Once again, Serkis does a marvelous job bringing this troubled creature to life.
The second half of the film has by far some of the best work Jackson has done. When the movie soars, it touches your soul and restores your faith in the power of motion pictures. There is a definite sense of wonder as we see universes imagined for our enjoyment, and computer work has become so sophisticated that all works seamlessly. It's a pleasure to see the adaptation of the novel, and it makes us look forward to the next chapters of this new trilogy.
There might be a bit of restlessness in the audience at first, but don't despair because you will be rewarded in new and unexpected ways.