The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (12A) A Review
Sometimes we do things for others; and to sit in The Odeon, Festival Park for over 3 hours is one such thing. However, some dramas one endures in life can be more tormenting than others, and siting through the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (with one break) was perhaps less tormenting on the 'Endurance Scale'.
Based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, one has to be interested in the mystical-fantastical genre to fully appreciate the Norse myth theme.
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The Hobbit features an entirely non-American cast which if nothing else, demonstrates that we can co-produce our own films. Image by Rudy Eats
The script seems to be about the exploits of a motley crew of elfin and dwarf like characters searching across Middle Earth to reclaim their dispossessed Lonely Mountain home from a dragon.
Keeping with the as per usual, they are pursued by the personification of evil as in this time around Azog the White Orc riding oversized wolves called Wargs.
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It is refreshing that the cast is non-American and somewhat British in nature (If you can count James Nesbitt who I was never really over keen on). And it was particularly noted that Christopher Lee of Dracula fame played Saruman.
Ian Mckellen (Gandalf) even at his age somehow survives the trek to the Mountain (maybe its because of his mystical powers). Besides, the Boulder Giant enroute mildly entertained. As Bilbo Baggins' Gang are crossing the mountain, the granite disintegrates into massive pieces and a giant emerges as the mountain; lunging just as giant boulders.
One also has to over-concentrate on the scene featuring the goblin like Gollum even though it almost seemed nonsensical and contradictory. Andy Serkis who played Gollum has stated that his character was based on the notion of addiction as in the ring totally engulfs and destroys him just like addiction does.
Not being able to identify this link myself however, the character of Gollum was very weird in appearance indeed. Furthermore, the conundrums that had to be solved by Baggins (Martin Freeman-in those ridiculous corduroy shorts) and Gollum were over-complex and far too multifarious for the ordinary viewer to understand.
Unless you are Tolkien enthusiast of course.
Comments
by Sooty1
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 10:40AM
“Kevin, thanks for your response. When I saw your review, I'd been surprised to read you'd thought all the actors were British, thanks for taking my comments on board. I guess actors are better at masking their native accents than us mere mortals.
I definitely agree with your comment about the "Riddles in the dark" scene, unfortunately due to either back ground noise or Gollum's hissing voice, it was very difficult to understand the riddles he was asking - I could only make it out because I had re-read the book a few days before seeing the movie, and managed to piece the words together. They should have picked this up in post-production.
I also agree, that it was wonderful to see Christopher Lee reprise his role as Saruman, what a rich and powerful voice this 90 year old actor still retains! Incidentally, he is the only member of the cast that has ever met the late author JRR Tolkien in person.
As to the comments by Andy Serkis that Gollum is addicted to the ring, I suggest you watch the Lord Of The Rings trilogy (the extended versions are even better) to further understand what he means.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed The Hobbit enough to watch the following two movies.
Sorry, not sure if the white orc is capitals or lower case!”
by KevinRaftery_
Sunday, January 06 2013, 1:11PM
“Sooty 1, thanks for the pointers. I have made a couple of small amendments as such. I got carried away because the three lead roles were played by British actors and I did not hear any American accents throughout the film. If I am honest I am good on accents and never picked up any Australasian accents-but I will take your word for it as obviously you know your Tolkien.
As for the personification of evil character I looked and looked for this character's name, but not having any background knowledge about the Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings or anything Tolkein, I could not find it so thanks for that information too.
Talking of Azog, is white orc spelt with capital letters? I put them in any event”
by Sooty1
Sunday, January 06 2013, 3:48AM
“Kevin, although it may have been refreshing for you to believe that the cast is entirely British, that isn't actually the case!
A few examples: Dean O'Gorman (Fili) NZ; John Callen (Oin) NZ; Peter Hambleton (Gloin) NZ; Jed Brophy (Nori) NZ; Mark Hadlow (Dori) NZ; Cate Blanchett (Galadriel) Australia; Barry Humphries (The Great Goblin) Australia; Hugo Weaving (Elrond) Australia, admittedly with a British background; Elijah Wood (Frodo) USA; and Manu Bennett (Azog the white orc) NZ, whom incidentally I would consider more as the "the personification of evil pursuer" rather than the wargs.
Also the Director (Peter Jackson) and most of the production crew are from New Zealand, which probably doesn't back up your statement that the British can produce their own films - or unless you are still claiming us colonials as part of the Empire?”