A Cinematic Event, Peter Jackson's triumph in HFR

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2012)

The revisit to Middle-Earth itself required a collaboration of three production studios. Let alone the challenges of stretching the smaller material into a trilogy in higher frame rate picture. If anyone could be that crazy, it would be Peter Jackson. The result of his tireless efforts is not just an epic movie or a great technical feat. It is a Cinematic Event. The first of a trilogy, 'An Unexpected Journey' is an outstanding movie experience that immerses you in every aspect, thus living up to the epic, that is The Hobbit.
As Frodo helps prepare for his uncle's long expected party, the original Hobbit is busy finishing his book that speaks of his adventure with the dwarfs. Flashback about 60 years and we have young Bilbo as Martin Freeman, smoking his pipe outside as he is humorously greeted by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) who seeks someone to join him on an adventure. Denying any such whimsical participation, the Baggins of Bag-end confines into his large Hobbit-hole only to be later intruded by unexpected dwarfs who then busy themselves feasting in his own home. Soon enough, after a round of introductions, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) reveals the plans to take back their city of Erebor where now dwells a mighty and terrible dragon over his hoard of gold. Jackson brilliantly transitions from the beginning of the Rings adventure to the tale of the Hobbit and while recreating the lost city of dwarfs, Erebor, he makes us yearn to journey to it with a legendary rendition of the song of Misty Mountains cold. As the company journeys into lands known and unknown, they encounter trolls and goblins from whom they only nearly escape. The hidden valley of Rivendell is revealed to them through a secret passage and it is a spectacle to behold. Meanwhile, Radagast the brown (Sylvester McCoy), the eccentric wizard whose home is with the creatures of the forest, discovers a dark force that now dwells in the fortress of Dol Goldur. Jackson's expansion of this sub-plot reveals much about the lurking threat of the necromancer who brings back the darkness that was long overcome. The white council meet in Rivendell to debate over this threat and of Gandalf's participation in the Dwarfs' adventure. Cate Blanchett reprises the role of lady Galadriel who enchants with her beauty and aura. From hereon, the company continues over hill in daunting weather when the stone giants awake, hurtling rocks at each other. Their subsequent capture by Goblins and confrontation with the Great Goblin in the underground city leads to an epic escape which is quick because much of that time is diverted to Bilbo's chance encounter with the greatest special appearance of all time..... by Gollum.
The Riddles in the dark chapter is the film's obvious highlight. Gollum seems to have fun threatening to eat the Hobbit, which soon turns to irritation, celebration and dismay during the riddle game. The venting of anger and frustration is brilliantly portrayed by Andy Serkis who is indomitable in motion capture performances. There are goblins on wargs and fires on pine trees after they all escape the Goblin city. Thorin seeks to eliminate his old threat that is Azog the Orc, just as Gandalf sends a message for rescue.
Technically, the film is richer than the dwarfs' treasure. The cinematography by Andrew Lesnie capturing cities and landscapes alike, the special effects and costumes by WETA that brought to life the unthinkable, the background score by Howard Shore, together created the film's epic look and feel. Conspicuously, the 3D HFR effect is profound in several scenes. The sequence in Bilbo's home give a sense of being there, the detail in the dwarfs' costumes and swords is fascinating, so is the magnificent city of Erebor, the artsy home of Rivendell, the 3D capture of rocks flying from everywhere (whoa!) as the stone giants arise, the details in action in the Goblin city and the sharp clarity of the astounding scenery taken from the skies.
They couldn't have found a better Bilbo Baggins than Martin Freeman. He excels in scenes around the dwarfs, in Rivendell's splendor and with Gollum. Can't wait to see him with Smaug.... Richard Armitage looks heroic as Thorin and with a focus on his back-story, becomes one as well. It will be interesting to see how he deals with the changes in his character. Among the several dwarfs, Balin (Ken Scott) is the mature and wise one (mostly) while Sylvester McCoy is splendid as the eccentric Radagast the brown. Andy Serkis is a remarkable artist whose depiction of Gollum turns out to be the film's highlight act. Notice his expressions as he says 'time's up' and 'wasn't talking to you' and you will be convinced. As a guiding mentor, Gandalf is the most revered character and Sir McKellan's performance draws the same respect in the film's cast for good reason. Somehow, Galadriel and Elrond look younger than they did a decade ago.
The director adds some more interesting elements to create a dramatic effect that doesn't deviate much from the original story but only enriches it. The moth still flies to Gandalf in times of distress to aid a rescue while the same background score plays and that, is Peter Jackson's magical touch.
Our first journey in the trilogy is as epic as we would expect and maybe even more. With sublime performances from a huge star-cast, ground-breaking technology, mind-bending detail of costumes and sets, an exhilarating background score and an exhaustive screenplay that is so engaging, the revisit to Peter Jackson's Middle Earth is well worth the decade long wait and is a thoroughly enjoyable movie event. Fans of Tolkien's world will be watching it again before biting their nails to next year's sequel and will cherish each moment of it because for them, the journey has just begun.

9.65 on a scale of 1-10.