The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Name: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Released: December 14, 2012
Duration: 169 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Andy Serkis, Graham McTavish, Ian McKellen, Ken Stott, Martin Freeman

2012

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Mixed or average reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 3003 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 3003 Ratings

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 14, 2012 | PG-13

Starring: Andy Serkis, Graham McTavish, Ian McKellen, Ken Stott, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage

Summary: The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield.The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. 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. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know. [Warner Bros.]… Expand

Director: Peter Jackson

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 169 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Matthew Leyland

Dec 5, 2012

Charming, spectacular, technically audacious… in short, everything you expect from a Peter Jackson movie. A feeling of familiarity does take hold in places, but this is an epically entertaining first course. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Dec 10, 2012

It isn't as delirious a journey as we experienced a decade ago, but it's still filled with wonder, monsters, and thrills. Read full review

Bob Mondello

Dec 13, 2012

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey isn't "unexpected" at all, though between its lighter tone and a decade's worth of improvements in digital film techniques, there should be enough of a novelty factor to delight most fans. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Dec 3, 2012

Jackson and his team seem compelled to flesh out the world of their earlier trilogy in scenes that would be better left to extended-edition DVDs (or omitted entirely), all but failing to set up a compelling reason for fans to return for the second installment. Read full review

Mike Scott

Dec 13, 2012

An Unexpected Journey also proves that it is, indeed, possible to get too much of a good thing. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Dec 13, 2012

To sum it up, there is little that is unexpected in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Rather than an epic continuation of Jackson's Middle-earth obsession, the film seems more like the work of a man driving around a multilevel parking garage without being able to find the exit. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Dec 13, 2012

If you loved the earlier films, these are moments you will hold on to, but they're very few, and they're not enough. Read full review

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User Reviews

JohntheTripper

Dec 14, 2012

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is a great movie. The modern 3D - technology let us enter the world of Tolkien in a new dimension. Peter Jackson made a movie, which shows once again that the small ones are able to be great heroes. The soundtrack fits perfectly to the movie. I recommend"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is a great movie. The modern 3D - technology let us enter the world of Tolkien in a new dimension. Peter Jackson made a movie, which shows once again that the small ones are able to be great heroes. The soundtrack fits perfectly to the movie. I recommend you to watch this masterpiece.
I also will watch it at least once again.

P.S.: Please excuse my bad english, i'm from Germany ;)… Expand

57 of 92 users found this helpful5735

KatSev

Jan 23, 2013

Peter Jackson is a master of direction. His cinematography is colorful and artistic, the effects by Weta Digital are great as always and the score has that same wonder and excitement as the LOTR films did. It was a refreshing movie to watch after seeing Red Dawn last and wanting somethingPeter Jackson is a master of direction. His cinematography is colorful and artistic, the effects by Weta Digital are great as always and the score has that same wonder and excitement as the LOTR films did. It was a refreshing movie to watch after seeing Red Dawn last and wanting something actually above average and if I'm to believe the movies are to be like the books then Hobbits 2 is going to be even better then the first.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

thsp

Dec 15, 2012

Spectacular! Incredible performances by Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis and, of course, Sir Ian McKellen. Critics say it is too long? I completely disagree, time flew by! Yes, Jackson added/expanded some things, but he did an excellent job. What is the most important thing - he stayed true toSpectacular! Incredible performances by Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis and, of course, Sir Ian McKellen. Critics say it is too long? I completely disagree, time flew by! Yes, Jackson added/expanded some things, but he did an excellent job. What is the most important thing - he stayed true to the book and its atmosphere. "Every good story needs embellishment" says Gandalf in the first quarter of the movie. All in all - a masterpiece worth watching.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Dollis

Dec 18, 2012

I seen the hobbit movie and i like it , and there something that i don't understand , in the lord of the rings ,we see Ian Holm as Bilbo gets the ring.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

python2000

Jan 11, 2013

Although The Hobbit is not as good as the LOTR it is still better than most films that have come out in 2012
eg Avengers Assemble, Keith Lemon The Movie.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Livingonair

Dec 14, 2012

I was greatly anticipating this movie since I first heard that it was going to be made. What did I think of it now that I've seen it? I'll put it this way... it wasn't bad, but having been a big fan of the books and previous LOTR movies, I was expecting more. I can't exactly put a fingerI was greatly anticipating this movie since I first heard that it was going to be made. What did I think of it now that I've seen it? I'll put it this way... it wasn't bad, but having been a big fan of the books and previous LOTR movies, I was expecting more. I can't exactly put a finger on it just yet.. but something about this film compared to the previous 3 seemed slightly off, as though to remind you it is indeed a movie. Even the makeup, costumes, and animation seemed more "play" like as though you were watching it on a stage rather than it really happening. It was ok.. but I would say it didn't quite stay in the same league as the first three movies.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

Nikopoo

Oct 15, 2020

Only saving grace of this movie is the incredible acting from Martin Freeman as Bilbo. The writing was bad and the CGI looks more childish and fake than Lord of the rings, its predecessor. This series is a cheap cash grab and massive insult to the legacy of Lord of the rings. SeriouslyOnly saving grace of this movie is the incredible acting from Martin Freeman as Bilbo. The writing was bad and the CGI looks more childish and fake than Lord of the rings, its predecessor. This series is a cheap cash grab and massive insult to the legacy of Lord of the rings. Seriously questionable as to why they took the direction they did on this.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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