Similar, yet so Different!

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2012)

As the end credits rolled over the screen I was left a wrack. The last few minutes of this film take you on an emotional roller coaster I can promise you that! And the greatest thing about it, is how much fantastic stuff it promises for the next ones.
First off let's talk about the cast. Martin Freeman kills it as the ever growing (not in height of course) Bilbo, who gives both us and the Dwarfs surprise after surprise along the way. He is US in this, and we see it through his eyes. Playing his character just as perfectly is Richard Armitage, who brings a sorrow and heroism I think no one quite expected to Thorin. And of course there is Ian Mckellen and Andy Serkis, who are Awesome in every sense of the word. Just such a great ensemble, and I'm pleased to see that every dwarf is different, yet all feel like they belong in the dwarven culture. Thank you PJ and Weta!
There were a few things that I weren't quite sure that worked, but as they will feature much more in the next ones I will reserve judgment until then. For instance Radagast was odd (by no means a Jar Jar, but odd), however I'm not sure if he is odd-good or odd-bad before I see more of him. The second thing is some of the slapstick humor, which isn't over-done, but you notice it. The lighter tone of this first one, though, is something I think people will relish when all six movies are on our shelves, because I'm absolutely sure that the next two will get progressively darker, and therefore we'll appreciate both the slower character-driven start, as well as the lighter tone.
My worry now with going into Oscar season is that the critics have destroyed its chances, rather unfairly, for any of the biggest categories. I'm sure it will get enough praise for visuals and CGI, makeup etc. though, and it is well deserved.
Overall the movie follows somewhat the same blueprint of FOTR, but it still feels very different. The Hobbit and LOTR will be two different trilogies, woven skillfully into one. Fantastic. Just what I wanted.