PREVIEW: The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey

2013 marks the near 75th anniversary since the very first publication of author J.R.R Tolkein's seminal masterpiece, The Hobbit. The quest concerning one Mr.Bilbo Baggins and his company of explorers including the wise wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves, would later develop into, and become better known as, the prequel to Tolkein's epic Lord Of The Rings trilogy. That was of course famously adapted for the big screen in 2001-2003, in perhaps one of the biggest and most ambitious projects ever undertaken, by New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson and his co-writers Fran Walsh and Phillpa Boyens. The trilogy, consisting of The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and The Return Of The King, became a huge critical and commercial success with worldwide box office taking of $2.92 billion and a haul of accolades including 17 of its 30 Academy Award nominations.  

So evidently it was only a matter time before the journey back to the land of Middle-Earth would arise and the prequel would receive the cinematic treatment. Much like LOTR, The Hobbit has been in development for several years, facing all manners of setbacks such as the financial collapse of studio MGM and the departure of its original director Guillermo Del Toro. But finally, after a decade since the release of Return Of The King, the film has finally arrived in what is, similarly to Fellowship, the first part of a planned trilogy. So why not start your Middle Earth adventure where it all began at your local arthouse with The Hobbit: An Unexptected Journey.

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is a home-loving hobbit who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum (Andy Serkis). Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ...a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.  

With many familar faces returning to their roles from the The Lord Of The Rings including Hugo Weaving as Lord Elrond, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel and Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman, the true revelation here is Martin Freeman who provides a truly earnest and winning performance as the title character. It's also exciting to see Jackson and the rest of the mainly New Zeleand based production team all reunited and keen to push new technological boundaries. It is a visually resplendent film with eye-popping special effects and sweeping vistas and can only be truly appreciated on the big screen. It certainly got the attention of the awards boards with three Academy Award nominations including Best Visual Effects and three BAFTAs. Additionally it has done the impossible by grossing $900m which surpasses the totals by the first two installments in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. With The Desolation of Smaug and There And Back Again due for release in 2013 and 2014 respectively, this your prime opportunity to immerse yourself into all things Tolkein, whether you've seen The Lord Of The Rings or not.

"Jackson has made The Hobbit with brio and fun, and Martin Freeman is just right as Bilbo Baggins: he plays it with understatement and charm." 

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

"And we're back! Slam bang in Middle-earth as though the Lord of the Rings trilogy never went away, which it didn't."

Kate Muir, The Times

"Jackson has delivered plenty more of the big set pieces that fans loved in the trilogy"

David Sexton, This Is London

Check out the trailer below:

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (12A) opens on Friday 8th February and closes on Monday 11th February with performances at 7:45 pm including Screen Tea shows on Saturday (10:45am) and Monday (2pm)