Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

"All good stories deserve embellishment..." in 3D, no less!

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown March 17, 2013

It was bound to disappoint. With expectations at an enormous high, a 48fps experiment in tow, and fandom, both literary and cinematic, frothing at the mouth, poised to strike the moment the first film in The Hobbit trilogy showed the slightest sign of weakness, it was bound to disappoint. And yet it shouldn't have. Criticism continues to run the gamut. Too long! Too slow! Too expansive! Like butter scraped over too much bread! Was anyone really that surprised to see Jackson and company indulge a little? Did the decision to stretch two films into three fail to clue anyone into the fact that An Unexpected Journey would be more akin to a Lord of the Rings extended version than a lean, mean theatrical cut? For that matter, are the same people who swear by The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions actually upset with the end result? By some strange, blinding magic: yes, yes and yes.

Fortunately, it was only bound to disappoint some fans. There are those among us who chose a different path. Those who were familiar with the quaint, charming tale of "The Hobbit," enough so to avoid setting Rings-slaying expectations. Who didn't squander our first viewing of An Unexpected Journey by leaping headlong into an entirely new (and arguably distracting) way of watching a film. Who were overjoyed to immerse ourselves in Peter Jackson's Middle-Earth once again, for whatever length of time he saw fit. No, The Hobbit isn't perfect. It isn't a sacred adaptation of Tolkien's text, or even one that rivals any of The Lord of the Rings films. It's a gorgeous, gripping, at-times enthralling return to Middle-Earth, though, with far more to offer the Peter Jackson and J.R.R. Tolkien folds than many are willing or perhaps able to admit.

"Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not?"

The humble, altogether simple story of "The Hobbit" becomes the grand, still relatively simple story of The Hobbit, with a smart series of additions, refinements and expansions and only a few questionable tweaks or misguided deviations. Told in flashback (with several flashbacks within that flashback), we meet a younger, less impulsive Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), the once and future ring-bearer played in his old age by Ian Holm. Coaxed by Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) into joining thirteen dwarves on a quest to reclaim their kingdom and stockpiles of gold from a vile dragon named Smaug, Bilbo reluctantly embarks on an adventure that takes him from the safety of Hobbiton to the troll and orc-ridden wild, the Elven city of Rivendell, the depths of the Misty Mountains and beyond. Drawing from the original book, Tolkien's Appendices and co-writers Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro's ever-evolving screenplay, Jackson's Unexpected Journey presents Bilbo as an adventurer-in-the-making in a coming-of-late-age tale, dwarf prince-turned-king Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) as a fallen hero, the unruly dwarves as nomads longing for a rightful place to lay their heads (rather than mere treasure), their quest a more honorable journey, and Gandalf's frequent absences a means to a far greater end: a response to the rise of a sinister Necromancer (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the stronghold of Dul Guldur.

Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Lord of Rivendell, and Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) of Lothlorien return, as does Saruman the White (Christopher Lee), who isn't so willing to accept the news Gandalf and fellow wizard Radagast the Brown (Sylvester McCoy) have to share. Meanwhile, the dwarves -- among them Dwalin (Graham McTavish), Balin (Ken Stott), Bofur (James Nesbitt), Kili (Aidan Turner) and Fili (Dean O'Gorman), who receive the most screentime -- are being tracked by an old foe: Azog the Defiler (Manu Bennett), a vindictive orc chieftan who killed Thorin's grandfather before losing an arm in a battle with the dwarf king himself. But other enemies await Thorin, Bilbo and the dwarven company before the first film draws to a close. Rock giants, a trio of lumbering cave trolls, a horde of goblins, their king the Great Goblin (Barry Humphries) and, in a dank cave beneath the goblin halls, a riddle-obsessed creature named Gollum (Andy Serkis), corrupted by a seemingly harmless magic ring that grants its wearer invisibility.

As with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Jackson, Walsh and Boyens focus first and foremost on character and story, placing the utmost value on casting, performances and the ensuing adaptation above all else. Freeman isn't an A-lister (or rather wasn't before The Hobbit) but his turn as Bilbo establishes him as the film's greatest casting coup. With Freeman, Bilbo is a fully realized anchor point and unmistakably human for a hobbit. The scene in which he awakes to an empty house -- initially relieved and then, all at once, saddened by the silence -- is one of the best acted beats in Jackson's thus far four-film Middle-Earth saga, and makes everything that follows more convincing and compelling than it would otherwise be. It's these moments, these small amendments not present in the original novel but used to terrific effect in the film, that highlight the balance between performance power and adaptative craft the filmmakers make a habit of employing again and again and again. And it's these moments that carry An Unexpected Journey through less satisfying scenes that rely a bit too heavily on CG and heightened action (the escape from Goblin Town and the Rock Giant run come to mind).

The rest of the ensemble is too talented for one film. (Thank God there'll be three.) McKellen is Gandalf the Grey, and makes a number of interesting choices, from his perfectly rounded affection for Bilbo to his slight irritation at the hobbit's hesitance to strike out with the dwarves. McKellen is also responsible for yet another subtly emotional series exchange, this time with Blanchett, in a tender, easily overlooked moment of intimacy that never fails to send chills racing up my arms, even after this, my fifth viewing. Armitage is excellent too, even though Thorin's disdain for Bilbo is given the spotlight one time too many. With an iron gaze and a coalfire in his chest, he helps Jackson accomplish a dramatic trifecta: infusing the film with an undercurrent of tragedy, giving Bilbo a reason to sacrifice his all for the dwarves and providing the first film with a captivating conflict all its own. The rest of the dwarvish actors, particularly McTavish and Nesbitt, fill out the company nicely and, more importantly, serve Thorin and Bilbo's arcs selflessly. And Serkis? Freeman and Serkis' Riddles in the Dark sequence is engrossing, not just as a through-thread to Lord of the Rings but as a brilliantly staged and shot rendition of one of the book's most iconic encounters. All told, the cast is a true ensemble in every sense of the word. Jackson may not have filled the ranks with more familiar Hollywood faces, but what he nets in return is on-screen comradery, obvious even between Journey's mortal enemies.

If The Hobbit stumbles on its Unexpected Journey, it's not in expanding the tale or the characters, it's in expanding the action and, to a lesser degree, embellishing the visual effects. Tolkien opposed his books being turned into action-oriented spectacles and the last act of The Hobbit, more so even than The Return of the King (which all but required such spectacle), is puffed up and a tad bloated, with whirling swords, a chase scene that goes on a full minute too long, a mountain-pass giant fight that borders on ludicrous (not the fight but the fact that the dwarves end up standing on one of the giants' legs) and a burning treetop showdown that's intense but pure screenwriters' prerogative. None of it kills the film, but it does knock it down a notch, at least in terms of storytelling. Visually, it's immaculate, packed with cutting-edge WETA effects, incredible motion captured creatures and, of course, Gollum, who couldn't look more real. Thankfully, Jackson doesn't turn to computers for every challenge. Middle-Earth is still New Zealand and the practical effects team's masterfully forged props, sets and production design in all their natural and hand-crafted glory; enhanced with CG as needed, sure, but rarely created wholesale in a computer. More to the point, everyone on the production team -- from the costume designers to the armor makers to the weapon masters to the prosthetics masters -- is an integral player in the ensemble, as much as the actors. Like The Lord of the Rings films, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a melting pot of gracious, self-sacrificing talent both in front and behind the camera.

The long and short of it? Even when The Hobbit can't quite carry the Ring, it can carry you.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Blu-ray edition of The Hobbit wows, dazzles and thoroughly impresses with two stunning 1080p video transfers: an MVC-encoded 3D experience and an AVC-encoded 2D presentation, each true to Jackson and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie's every intention. But let's focus on the 3D experience, which shares all of the previously reviewed 2D version's strengths and... well, strengths. Allow me to begin with a small word of warning, though. Jackson is a proponent of world-expanding 3D; the sort of 3D that draws its audience into the image rather than assaulting viewers with overabundant gimmicks and screen-puncturing distractions. In the Blu-ray.com forum, the approach has been labeled "conservative 3D," and for the most part, this is conservative 3D. Depth and dimensionality are outstanding, with vast landscapes, convincingly distant horizons, rocks that jut out of the ground, trolls that loom high overhead, wargs whose muzzles inch closer and closer, goblins that push our heroes forward toward a most unsightly, all too three-dimensional Goblin King, and twisted riverfolk who seem to peer out of their cave and into your home theater. The occasional sword, fluttering bird, swinging ax or tumorous sacks of flesh protrude nicely (or not so nicely, depending on the visual), but again, this is by and large a conservative 3D experience.

Not that the impact is lessened in any way. I much prefer inward 3D to outward 3D, whatever the two might be labeled. Inward 3D is more immersive and enveloping, and I find myself less conscious of the particulars of the 3D imagery and more taken by it. This more cinematic 3D translates beautifully to Blu-ray too, without sacrificing the integrity of the native 3D photography or subsequent encode. Moreover, the lush, lovely Shire greens, summer-kissed browns and oranges, moonlit blues pierced by blazing flame, relatively lifelike fleshtones and cavernous blacks that grant its 2D counterpart soul and spirit are intact and unhindered. Impeccable contrast leveling and exceedingly natural shadow delineation certainly help, and the filmmakers' at-times stylized color grading is presented without apparent flaw. Detail is nothing short of extraordinary too. Edge definition is crisp and clean, without any notable ringing, and fine textures are refined and exceptionally rewarding.

3D displays that are prone to ghosting will have difficulty resolving a few shots (most noticeably in long shots of the goblin throne chamber, where tiny torch lights, eager eyes and restless minions are subject to slight crosstalk). As usual, though, any ghosting that pops up is a product of individual 3D displays and glasses, not the 3D encode itself. Moreover, significant aliasing, macroblocking, banding and other issues are absent, and only the slightest hint of noise and negligible crush will give eagle-eyed videophiles pause. Ultimately, Jackson's 3D may not raze your home theater to the ground, but it invites you along on Bilbo's journey, through winding hills, towering forests, massive caverns and beyond. Next stop: 3D Lonely Mountain.

Note: The 3D version of the film is spread generously across two BD-50 discs. The 2D version is then available on a third BD-50 disc, while the special features are housed on a fourth.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As impressive as Warner's video transfer may be, it's The Hobbit's bellowing beast of a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track that leaves the most lasting mark. The LFE channel is forceful yet discerning, producing deep, resonant thooms and weighty low-end support. (Albeit not ideal support, as some filtering has been reported and confirmed. For my part, it isn't a bother. Others will no doubt disagree.) All the while, the rear speakers bristle with engaging, wonderfully effective activity seasoned with convincing directional effects and transparent cross-channel pans. The resulting soundfield is wholly immersive too, dropping the listener into the heart of Erebor, the cozy hobbit holes of Hobbiton, the vast expanse of the wild, the midst of a thunderous rock giant battle, the chaos of an underground Goblin city and the center of a cave where a certain magic ring slips from its master's pocket and bounces along the ground. Dialogue remains crystal clear and intelligible throughout (without a lost or muffled line to be found), Howard Shore's score is sweeping and full, and prioritization is flawless.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Still awaiting an official confirmation of an Extended Edition release? Look no further than either Blu-ray release of An Unexpected Journey and the two and a half hours of extras featured, the overwhelming majority of which have been available online for some time. Hardly the twenty-plus hours of original or exclusive content Peter Jackson and company are known for. That said, the special features on tap at least earn their own Blu-ray disc, not because they're so significant, mind you, but so they can be presented in HD without crowding the feature film.

Unlike the 2D release, which includes two Blu-ray discs (one for the film, one of the bonus material), the 3D version includes four Blu-ray discs: the 3D presentation of The Hobbit is spread across Discs One and Two, Disc Three houses the 2D presentation of the film, and Disc Four is devoted to the high definition extras.

• The Desolation of Smaug Sneak Peek Access Code: Copies of The Hobbit come with a 12-digit access code for an exclusive online sneak peek at The Desolation of Smaug, hosted live by Peter Jackson on March 24th at 3pm EST/12pm PST.
• New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth (HD, 7 minutes): Jackson and his team tour the lush, always stunning New Zealand countryside, revealing the locations used to bring The Hobbit's Middle-Earth locales to life.
• Video Blogs (HD, 127 minutes): Ten Jackson-helmed online video blogs are available, documenting (but primarily teasing) the production of the then-upcoming theatrical release of An Unexpected Journey. Two hours of content is much appreciated, don't get me wrong. But, excellent, informative and entertaining as they are, the blogs are bound by rules full-fledged production documentaries have the freedom to discard at the outset. Arriving before the film debuted, the blogs' chief goal was secrecy, making them more of an extended two-hour promo for the film than anything more extensive. Entries include:
  
  
  • Start of Production (April 14, 2011)
  • Location Scouting (July 9, 2011)
  • Shooting Block One (July 21, 2011)
  • Filming in 3D (November 4, 2011)
  • Locations Part I (December 24, 2011)
  • Locations Part II (March 2, 2012)
  • Stone St. Studios Tour (June 6, 2012)
  • Wrap of Principal Photography (July 24, 2012)
  • Post-Production Overview (November 24, 2012)
  • Wellington World Premiere (December 14, 2012)
  
  
  
• Trailers (HD, 16 minutes): Six full and alternate Unexpected Journey trailers.
• Game Trailers (HD, 2 minutes): Kingdoms of Middle-Earth, Guardians of Middle-Earth and LEGO LOTR.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Debate will continue to rage as to whether The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a worthy precursor and rightful successor to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Whether it's a faithful adaptation or goes one step too far. Imbues the spirit of Tolkien or tramples on his grave. Could use serious trimming or stands soundly as is. Deserves to pass $1 billion in worldwide box office returns or shows how out of touch with literary classics modern audiences have become. Some will continue to criticize, some will continue to praise. But few can deny Jackson's passion for the material, his team's mastery of their craft, the strength of the ensemble's performances or the various strides the film makes in its own unexpected journey toward becoming a full-fledged trilogy. I, for one, am more than happy to return to Jackson's Middle-Earth and stay there as long as he allows. The film's flaws are minimal in the grand scheme of things and its future installments are ripe with promise. Here's hoping the next two Hobbit films will go one step further and take their place at The Lord of the Rings' side. Thankfully, Warner's 3D Blu-ray release is an excellent one. It doesn't boast the supplemental breadth of its inevitable Extended Edition counterpart, but its stunning video transfer, lovely 3D experience and fantastic DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track more than make up for it. Some fans will no doubt wait for the Extended Edition release. I get it. Me? I'll be enjoying my copy of the theatrical cut -- in 2D and 3D -- as well as the Desolation of Smaug exclusive sneak peek, biding my time over the next few months in anticipation of what Jackson has up his sleeve next.