iFor those who felt that Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy was just too concise to do the books justice, you’ll like the idea that he’s making three films of the one book this time. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first instalment, and I think it breathes like none of the films in the trilogy did. There’s space to be awestruck, to soak in the atmosphere of Tolkien’s world, significantly enhanced here by 3D and Jackson’s thoughtful layering of foreground, middle ground and background. What doesn’t convince is the new 48 frames per second rate. Jackson touts this innovation as an action movie breakthrough and it brings an increased clarity to the picture -- especially the moving shots where there’s very little blur -- but it’s so sharp and real it’s almost banal, a bit like watching a home video on an HD TV. These reservations aside it’s the story that carries the film: an anonymous everyman, or everyhobbit if you will, finds the courage to leave behind his comfortable, wood-panelled hole in the ground to head on the road with a wizard and a gang of grumpy dwarves, on an uncertain and dangerous quest. Martin Freeman is wonderful in the role, playing the kind of dark horse he played in The Office. He’s amiable, unambitious but surprises everyone -- including himself -- with a steely determination when the moment calls. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a solid and occasionally inspired start to the Hobbit trilogy.
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