The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in IMAX 3D
By John Benton
Staff Reviewer
"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." These words have opened up a magical world for readers for decades. Since 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit has enchanted fantasy enthusiasts as it carried them from their mundane non-magical existences here on Earth to a land where humans are but one of the groups of sentient beings living together on Middle Earth. I sharpened my fantasy teeth on The Hobbit back in the 4th Grade, and have been a fan of the genre ever since. Apart from the 1977 animated movie by Rankin/Bass, Hobbit fans haven't had a chance to see the comings and goings of the famous Bilbo Baggins come to life until now. Photo: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'
In 2001, Peter Jackson first introduced the world to his vision of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien, with Fellowship of the Ring, followed in 2002 and 2003 by The Two Towers and The Return of the King (respectively). These movies put memorable faces and incredible imagery to the beloved characters and scenery of the trilogy. We first met Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen: XMen, Stardust), the wizened wizard, Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving: Matrix, V for Vendetta) and Lady Galadriel (Cate Blanchett: Elizabeth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) elves of Rivendell, and an older Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm: From Hell, The Fifth Element). Photo: The Hobbit, Over the Misty Mountains
As epic as that film adaptation was, it left many fans wondering about Tolkien's original, which was also the story that introduced most of us to these characters, The Hobbit. Our questions were finally answered when writer/director Peter Jackson decided to once again set foot in Middle Earth. Production began on the three-part film in 2011 in New Zealand. Originally, Jackson hand-picked Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy) to direct The Hobbit, but after delays del Toro left the project and Jackson stepped in as director. The film opened in New Zealand in November of 2012 and finally came to US screens on December 12, much to fans' delight. Photo: Gandalf entering Hobbiton in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first of three movies Jackson is directing based on Tolkien's novel. The next installment is rumored to have the title The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and will be in theaters in December of 2013. The last movie, speculated to come out the following July (2014), will be The Hobbit: There And Back Again.
The story opens in a Hobbit hole in The Shire, a picturesque village where tiny Hobbits live in fancy round-door homes under the ground. Hobbits are not known for their courage or adventurous natures. They prefer to stay home and enjoy a quiet life. Bilbo Baggins is busy writing down his adventures so that they can be passed on to his nephew Frodo. The adventure began when a wizened stranger appears at Bilbo's (Martin Freeman: Boy Meets Girl, Sherlock) door. Photo: Bilbo (Martin Freeman) in his Hobbit home.
Bilbo finds that this stranger is actually the well-known wizard Gandalf, and that he is here to include Bilbo on an adventure. That night, 13 dwarfs arrive at Bilbo's door to plan a quest which would take them across the land to the Lonely Mountain, ancestral home to the leader of the dwarfs, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage: Captain America, BBC TV), and current den of the dreaded dragon, Smaug. Bilbo is to be the burglar to their party, to assist the 13 reclaiming the underground city of Erebor, home to The King Under The Mountain, and the vast riches stolen by the dragon. As Bilbo and company travel across the land they encounter a whole host of creatures and characters creating problems for the group. Much to the dwarfs' surprise, Bilbo turns out to be an irreplaceable asset. Photo: Gollum (Andy Serkis) vows to eat Bilbo Baggins
The movie does a fairly good job sticking to the text. Taking a novel and spreading it across three feature-length films is a sure-fire way to be able to include many of the details from the original. This is very important to fans of fantasy as they are often very tied to the original story. Peter Jackson and his crew are very good at including the most pertinent details as well as remembering that some of the seemingly less important are actually vital to the integrity of the plot. Science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts typically look for those sideline details. An Unexpected Journey did not disappoint. Although, in this humble Hobbit fan's opinion, some liberties were taken and characters and scenes changed, this story should please all but the most die-hard fanatic who expects Tolkien's words to be followed as cannon. I will definitely be seeing it again.
Jackson chose to release this film in 3D, IMAX 3D, and standard, which is a fairly common practice with action movies nowadays. It was also filmed in High Frame Rate video (HFR) which flashed 48 frames per second instead of the normal 24. This means the action scenes and 3D are jaw dropping and amazingly fluid. Unfortunately, there have been some complaints that it can be too intense in some scenes. I found the technology to be incredible, and the perfect way to be transported into the battle. Although IMAX movies are a bit pricier than a normal movie theater, they are well worth the extra cost. We are lucky to have Esquire IMAX here in Sacramento because not only is the 3D experience enveloping, the design of the theater brings us back to the golden age of movies, when attending a film was truly an event. Esquire IMAX also hosts birthday parties and field trips. Photo: The IMAX theater, Sacramento, CA
Editor's Note: The Special Edition of the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey contains the full score from the film with seven extended score cues, six exclusive bonus tracks, and deluxe liner notes packaged in a 2 CD hardcover digibook. The Soundtrack features original score by Academy Award winner Howard Shore recorded at famed Abbey Road Studios by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally it includes an original song, Song of the Lonely Mountain, written and performed by Neil Finn (Crowded House). One of today's most respected, honored, and active composers and music conductors, Howard Shore previously worked with director Peter Jackson on The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, which stands as his most towering achievement to date. He won three Academy Awards for his music for those films. Photo: Howard Shore
The Hobbit is currently playing at the Esquire IMAX theater in downtown Sacramento, a comfortable venue for family theater enjoyment, centrally located at 1211 K Street (adjacent to the Convention Center). For information, go to the Esquire IMAX website for shows and show times www.imax.com/oo/esquire-imax/ or call 916-443-4629. Enjoy the IMAX experience soon. The Hobbit: An unexpected Journey, www.thehobbit.com
Free parking is at the Capitol Lot on L & 10th Streets, weekdays after 5pm, and all weekend with validation sticker. Present your parking ticket at the Box Office. Matinee specials, Mon-Fri before 5pm, Sat and Sun before 2pm, all feature film tickets are $13; all traditional IMAX tickets are $8. Also at the IMAX El Dorado Hills location. For birthday parties and field trips email, aatilano@imax.com or phone: 916-446-2333 x200, For events, fund raisers, IMAX educators and private screenings, email wrussell@imax.com or phone 916-446-2333 x201.
Back to Top
