Review: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”

     We’re back at the Shire and young Bilbo Baggins has no interest in the big adventure Gandalf (always awesome Ian McKellan) and his consortium of dwarves has planned. He’s sorry they lost their home and their gold to the dragon Smaug, but honestly, Bilbo just doesn’t need the stress.

     Naturally, he changes his mind. It wouldn’t be much of a film if he didn’t, and Jackson has an awful lot of film up his sleeve. Although you won’t likely get to see the spectacle filmed at 48 frames per second (as opposed to the industry standard of 24), even the plain old 24 frames in 3D is pretty great to look at.

     By midway through the second act, Jackson unleashes a battle sequence inside a mountain so intricately staged and wondrous it puts Indiana Jones to shame. Too bad we’ve already devoted 90 minutes to the film, with another 90 to go.

Although many set pieces are breathtaking, Martin Freeman is pitch perfect as young Bilbo Baggins, and the flawless Andy Sirkis, reprising his pivotal role as Gollum, simply inspires awe, it’s still hard not to feel like you’re being hoodwinked.            Endless exposition, needless scenes and general self indulgence bog the effort. It simply takes too long for the story to move forward.

     Even if you’re familiar with Tolkien’s Hobbit, Jackson has some surprises for you. But the final image in the film only serves to remind you how little of the adventure you’ve actually covered.   3 stars (out of 5)