Returning to an iconic landscape of plucky dwarves, silver-haired elves and fiery dragons, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first film in Peter Jackson's promising new trilogy.
The dwarves once possessed a glorious kingdom, Erebor, but when a dragon sets the skies alight with flames and they are brutally attached, the dwarves lose everything. Years later, in the homely haven of the Shire, an unexpected visit from the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and a band of dwarves suddenly upturns the life of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (a perfectly cast Martin Freeman). Together they are thrust on a quest to restore the mountain kingdom to the Dwarf-Prince Thorin (a dark and gleaming Richard Armitage), who refuses to forget or forgive the past inflicted on his people.
Delving into the themes of revenge, courage and choice; the plot introduces a new set of characters within a familiar Middle-earth landscape, producing the perfect fusion of old and new. Middle-earth is, after all, a potent symbol of a lost and idealised past, that was rich with fantastical possibilities. Nostalgia therefore plays a powerful role throughout the film, evoked through the signature notes of music, familiar sweeping panoramic shots of stunning landscapes and several notable parallels with the original trilogy's narrative. The stunningly improved visual effects and immersive 3D entices you to lose yourself in Middle-earth in a way that was not previously possible. Rivendell, in particular, is divinely beautiful, for the 3D introduces a new and rich depth to the valley of cascading waterfalls and sparkling rivers. The production design is once again incredible; evoking a medieval landscape that is at once heightened and told through exquisitely fine detail.
Where the film can perhaps be slightly faulted, however, is within the treatment of the narrative's pace. In many ways, The Hobbit felt like one of the unabridged versions of The Lord of the Rings films, with some scenes lingering on screen far longer than desired. By constantly dipping into the backstory, the progress of the story feels at times limited, particularly given the film's long running time. However, the richness that this produces cannot be disputed. "All good stories deserve embellishment," as Gandalf tells Bilbo.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a prequel rich with a strong cast, stunning visuals, a charming nostalgia and an underlying sense of impending danger; which will leave you curious to see the second part.
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