Rating: Worth my time
See it: in theaters Dec. 14, 2012, in 3D and 2D
As a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies, I was looking forward to seeing The Hobbit, regardless of the reviews. However, I did see it in 2D, because the week before some of our friends said that the 3D made them a little nauseous. There was definitely a scene where I felt as though I was watching a video game (graphics not real people) jumping suspension bridges and trees crisscrossing around the screen – it felt unrealistic.
Martin Freeman, from the PBS’s Sherlock and movie Love Actually, played Bilbo Baggins from Bag Ends in the Shire – but his character seems very familiar to his other performances; stand-offish, shy, unwilling, but then goes along with the adventure. He delivered some cute and funny lines. Ian McKellen is the marvelous Gandalf, but Gandalf seems like a bit of an oaf in this movie. The Hobbit, being a prequel, probably wants to show the development of the characters: how they start off sheepish and meek, and not knowing exactly what they are doing – and if that was the goal, they achieved it. I would expect (and hope) the 2nd and 3rd movies move the characters towards being more courageous and brave and smart.
The movie seemed long, but did not disappoint, and even if you are not a familar with the Lord of the Rings, I would recommend it. I might see it again, and take our 12-year old.
