A mixed bag

Rating: 7/10 (21 January 2013)

Being a fan of the LOTR films and a self-confessed Tolkienite, I must admit I embarked upon my viewing of this film with a deal of trepidation lest it should ultimately disappoint. I ended up being neither disappointed nor enraptured; it was enjoyable but failed to hit the same heights as the previous Jackson take on Tolkien.
Having said this, some of the pitfalls of the film are, to a degree, understandable. The book "The Hobbit" is naturally lighter and more whimsical in tone than the often heavy, bleak and biblical language used in the LOTR; in the latter the world is in imminent danger, all the former relates is a jolly old-fashioned adventure. This undoubtedly has an effect on the tone of the film. Danger seems more remote. The film-maker therefore has an issue of reconciling this lack of impending doom with a movie that is compelling. I think this is achieved but not with aplomb. There are too many "clinging to the edge of the precipice" moments, doubtlessly shoe-horned in for cinematic effect, for my liking. This does begin to test ones patience and perhaps suggests (gasps) film-making laziness? Perhaps also a reticence to diverge from the source material? It would have been more compelling to have one of the dwarfs not survive one of the numerous skirmishes or scrapes, just to make those of us who know the book more on edge and also to give a little credence to these scenes. But I'm sure that would not go down well with the purists.
Likewise I feel the soundtrack sometimes seems a little ripped-off from the LOTR. One particularly noticeable moment for me was the final stand-off between Thorin and Azog, when a piece normally associated with the Ringwraiths plays. It seems a little out of place. I have a theory as to why that was played at that moment and hopefully this will come through in the subsequent movies, but taking the film as a stand alone, it makes little sense. Other than that niggling point, the score was typically fantastic - that was one area that I was never in doubt about. I do sometimes struggle with film adaptations of Tolkien's songs and thought the one about plates and forks a little cringe-worthy, but found the song which featured in the official trailer moving and also a useful tool to reveal the motivation of these dwarfs.
I did enjoy the expanding of Thorin's back-story. He is not physically the Thorin I imagine when I read the book, but I did warm to him as a character and felt his often dour and stubborn manner is a fair depiction as written. Sadly the other dwarfs are not granted similar depth, but that was never going to be possible. Having said that, I thought Ken Stott's Balin was excellently written and acted. Hopefully we'll see more of them all in the next films.
As for Azog, I actually thought he made a very intimidating and enjoyable antagonist; critics say he was one-dimensional, but come on he is an orc..not every bad guy has to be Iago.
I wasn't sure about Freeman in such a prominent and important role, but again have warmed to him. I think my main issue was the vastly different types of role I have seen him in previously. My concern was misplaced and his performance was subtle and nuanced. And McKellen reprises the role of Gandalf with complete authority and poise - but then would we expect anything less from one of our finest ever actors?
As for pacing, I did find it was slow to begin and too lengthy; any of the action scenes could have been trimmed with no detriment to the film. But let us be honest, action is what a lot of people want from cinema. And I did find the chase scenes through "goblin town" fantastic fun and visually inventive. I was also pleased to see the "riddles in the dark" chapter rendered so expertly. Other questions, I think - mainly concerning whether there is the material to make three films - cannot yet be answered until the trilogy is complete and a fair judgement can be made. I also feel it rather glib to claim the making of three films is solely a money-making exercise; if films didn't make money the industry wouldn't exist. But I digress. Overall a satisfactory beginning, but no more.