An Unexpected hit...

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2012)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D 48fps (Frames per Second)
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage and Andy Serkis
#New Line Cinema & MGM, if your turning a 365 page story into a trilogy only because you know people we spend money on it, I'll be annoyed and not too annoyed not to see it but I hope as it's my favorite of the Tolkien novels it's done to its best. â€“ Alex Powell November 2012
Synopsis: J.R.R Tolkien's story of a little hobbit called Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), this maybe a familiar name to anyone who has seen the 'Lord of the Rings' Trilogy a few years ago. This is how Bilbo became an adventurer and on this particular quest with thirteen Dwarfs invited by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to raid the stolen treasure hoard and retrieve it back from a very dangerous dragon called Smaug.
#Spoilers may be contained, nothing to essential or purposely provided.
Review: My first questions when I heard about The Hobbit are they going to keep to the story of the novel or make it more relevant to the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy? After seeing the film my question was answered in full, yes to both. Peter Jackson (Director) brings middle earth back to the cinema with his very own stylish camera angles and with a pleasant mix of CGI and practical effects which brings this fantasy world to life.
Starting at an unusual point, from the beginning of the 'Fellowship of the Ring' we see Ian Holm (Bilbo LOTR Trilogy) getting ready for his party and starting to write his story of a particular adventure he once took. As the story begins and now sixty years earlier Martin Freeman (Sherlock & The Office) takes to the role of Bilbo excellently, playing the part as Ian originally did however still bringing some of his own character traits to help make it his own role. Ian McKellen returning as Gandalf the Grey is as good as ever.
To make use of making this story a trilogy Peter Jackson said he was going to use the appendices from Tolkien's notes and other novels written, I didn't think it was going to be woven in to the story of the Hobbit so well, making middle-earth seem more populated and seeing a faint undertone that Sauron is already becoming a presence to the world, making this film even for fans of the novel a different story and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Peter Jackson makes a lot more use of all thirteen Dwarfs as I always felt in the novel five of the Dwarfs where just secondary characters that aren't needed. Making great use of the 'Lord of the Rings' scores and bringing new ones for this tale, however the Dwarfs songs aren't a big part of the story as in the novel a minor irritation and maybe they were trying to keep away from 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' territory.
From the title of this review you may be wondering way the description of the 'Frames per Second (fps)', it's because they made a clear decision when making the film to film using over thirty 3D camera's and in this particular fps giving better clarity, as on close up shots of the cast, seeing imperfections to skin and other details never really seen before. The 3D isn't used as a gimmick in the movie either, as in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows part 2' or 'Toy Story 3' only giving a greater depth, you won't see Gollum (Andy Serkis) jumping towards you or any other gimmick.
It has to be acknowledged that Thorin (Richard Armitage) Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili and Kili, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori and Ori play equally fantastic and humorous parts as the others, stand out performances for me with exception to Gollum and Bilbo was Bofur (James Nesbitt) making me laugh throughout the film.
Watch this if you liked: Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Verdict: I'm glad I was made to eat my words and see an almost perfect adaption to one of my childhood favorite novels. Excellent, highly recommended and I'm seeing this again on the cinema.