The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), directed by Peter Jackson, is based on the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien. Martin Freeman plays Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who leaves his comfortable home to join a company of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their lost kingdom.

Ian McKellen plays Gandalf the Grey, the wizard who picks Bilbo for the journey though no one, including Bilbo, understands why. Richard Armitage plays Thorin Oakenshield, the proud dwarf king who leads the company towards the Lonely Mountain and the dragon that sleeps inside it. Andy Serkis returns as Gollum in a scene that stands among the finest in the whole series. The film runs two hours and 49 minutes. It is the first of three films adapted from Tolkien's book.

Why You Should Watch

Martin Freeman is the perfect Bilbo. He plays him as a fussy, frightened man who discovers courage he did not know he had. Every look of discomfort, every moment of quiet bravery, feels right. The scene in Gollum's cave is the heart of the film. The riddle game between Bilbo and Gollum is tense, funny, and sad all at once. Andy Serkis brings Gollum to life with the same skill he showed in The Lord of the Rings, and the years between have only made the performance sharper.

Peter Jackson builds Middle-earth again with the same love and detail as before. The Shire feels warm. The goblin tunnels feel dangerous. The landscapes of New Zealand stretch out behind every scene. The film is longer than the story needs, but the best moments earn their place. When the dwarves sing in Bilbo's home, the music carries a homesickness that sets the whole quest in motion.

Favourite Quote

"I know you doubt me. I know you always have. I often think of Bag End. That is where I belong. That is home. You do not have one. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can."

Bilbo says this to Thorin after proving himself in a fight. The words are simple. He does not promise victory. He promises to try. That is enough to change everything between them.

Takeaway

Comfort is not the same as living. The film teaches that the world is wider than your front door and worth the risk of stepping through it. Courage does not mean feeling no fear. It means acting despite it. The smallest person can change the course of great events. And home means more when you have had to fight to find your way back.

Enjoyed this post?

Well, you could share the post with others, follow me with RSS Feeds and/or send me a comment via email.

Tags