Writer: J.R.R. Tolkien
After seeing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is the first part of a three part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's great novel the Hobbit, which itself has gotten more fame as a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I decided to read the book again. I haven't read this book in over 10 years, and having shamefully never owned the book (having read it previously from a Library) had to buy a copy, so got the movie cover version, and at a very reasonable price (Tesco: £2.95).
Plot
This book shows how Bilbo Baggins is persuaded by the Wizard Gandalf, and a party of thirteen Dwarves, who are lead by Thorin Oakenshield, to be their burglar, and join them on a journey to retrieve their treasure from the Dragon Smaug in the Lonely Mountain.
Review
It's easy to forget that this book was originally intended for children, as the Lord of the Rings books aren't. Although this is written for children, which is very noticeable near the start, it is still a joy to read for people of all ages. Although there are talking dragons, birds, and other creatures that wouldn't usually talk, it is still a very sophisticated story, and it's easy to believe that these creatures can talk, and I actually think the story wouldn't be the same otherwise. I also realised whilst reading this that I remembered very little from my first read through all those years ago, so I was also able to enjoy this read through even more.
The first chapter sees Bilbo visited by Gandalf, and offered to join in an adventure. When Bilbo refuses Gandalf puts a mark on his door which lets the Dwarves that are on his adventure know where to meet him later, unknown to Bilbo, who is later visited by the Dwarves. The way this story starts was brilliant, and I loved how a character who has never had any adventure in his life, and is from a family that is respected, who's also a descendent of the Took's, a Hobbit family known for going on adventures, is torn between the two sides of his genetic nature. The chapter itself was also very funny, and I loved how this polite Hobbit that didn't want to seem rude was getting very confused with the amounting guests that were apparently invited without his knowledge. When Gandalf eventually arrived it was even funnier, as Bilbo knew exactly what was going on, and how he was persuaded to join their adventure was also very interesting.
Bilbo's development throughout this book was probably the best, and most interesting thing about it, and rightfully so. How this small Hobbit who kept to himself, and didn't partake in anything that a Hobbit would class as out of the ordinary, changed throughout this novel was outstanding, and I have as much love for this character whilst reading this book as I did for Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It was also interesting to see how the opinion people had towards Bilbo changed throughout the events of this book, and how his own opinion changed with it. The way he changes from a frightened timid character, who sometimes regrets joining this adventure, to a slightly brave character who shows brilliant intellect was also interesting.
The Dwarves in this story were also very interesting, and due to being the main supporting characters I started to actually feel for these characters, whether they were in danger or not, and whether they were in the right or not. The changes in the Dwarves throughout this book was also interesting, and Thorin more than the others. Although all the other Dwarves were nothing but friendly throughout this novel, Thorin was sometimes very moody, and felt was constantly changing his mind about Bilbo throughout the book, seeing him as a nuisance near the start. The Dwarves nature was also an interesting point in this tale, as throughout the story there was some knew trait of the Dwarves revealed, whether from their actions or what others said about Dwarves. The thing that was noticeable about the Dwarves throughout this story was that they were very loyal to each other, and Bilbo, and treated him like one of their own, helping him as much as they could.
The other characters throughout this story was also interesting, and one of the main things that made this story constantly interesting. Beorn the skin-changer was the character I found the most interesting, and the way Gandalf knew how to win his aid was perfectly written, and thought out. What I enjoyed about Beorn was that although he kept to himself, and although he was very untrusting, once he did trust someone he was the best ally they could have. Elrond was also featured in this story giving Gandalf, Bilbo, and the Dwarves shelter in the early part of their journey. Although he didn't really do much in this novel his appearance was still appreciated as I liked the character in the Lord of the Ring books, and films. The Eagles, and Wood-Elves were also very good additions, and had very interesting sequences. It was also nice to see them later in the story during the Battle of Five Armies.
The Dragon Smaug was also a very interesting creature, and knowing that the Dwarves, and Bilbo would eventually encounter this creature also made you want to continue reading. As I said earlier the Dragon speaking made the sequence even better and his conversation with Bilbo was very interesting. I did however feel that the fate of Smaug was slightly disappointing, and that he could have played a bigger role than he actually did. This did however create a brilliant twist to this already fantastic story.
The one ring featured in the Lord of the Rings was also interested in this book, which all Lord of the Rings fans will know, and this is the main reason this book is classed as a prelude to Lord of the Rings. As most people will know he got the ring from Gollum, who wasn't too happy with losing his, "precious." His encounter with Gollum was also very entertaining, and the way he had to trade riddles with the creature to secure his escape from the Misty Mountains. The unusual split personality of Gollum was also featured very well during this story, and acted exactly like he did in Lord of the Rings. The ring itself also had a big role in this story being the tool of Bilbo's plans, and with it's ability to turn Bilbo invisible, it became very useful. It was very interesting seeing the ring use it's true power, as due to the nature of Lord of the Rings it wasn't shown as much during that story.
Final Verdict
A very entertaining read for all ages, and if you've seen the film you will love this. If you were however disappointed with the film I would still recommend trying this book, as it's brilliant, and has a slightly different tone than the film does.
Rating: 4.5/5
I was really looking forward to this film as I really enjoyed the Lord of the Rings films, and have enjoyed the books for longer. I have to say I have been getting slightly agitated after waiting 5 years to see this film, and have been getting more excited in the build up to the release date (13/12/12 which is today). I went to see this film in 2D as I'm not an overall big fan of 3D, only liking certain films, and I'd read in another review that the 3D kind of spoiled the film in bits.
Plot
SPOILER FREE
This film is the first of three that are an adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's book of the same name. Bilbo Baggins tells his tale and how he was persuaded to join Gandalf, and 13 Dwarves on a journey to Dwarves former home, the Lonely Mountain, to reclaim it, and the treasure within from the dragon Smaug.
Review
This was a good film, and well worth the wait. Peter Jackson has duplicated the brilliant job he did of bringing Middle-Earth to life like he did in Lord of the Rings, whilst making this a very unique movie. Although set in the same world as Lord of the Rings, this film has a totally different tone. Lord of the Rings was a lot more serious, as the characters were fighting to save Middle-Earth, whereas in this film they are only looking to reclaim the Dwarves homeland. Although this isn't an easy task, it's not as demanding as Frodo Baggins journey was to destroy the one ring, giving more room for the characters to have fun, and be less serious. This film also had plenty of action, and comedy, as well as brilliant cameo appearances. I also liked how the soundtrack was both the same, and different to Lord of the Rings, at the same time, as it had the same scores but played in a different tone.
The cast in this film was brilliant, and probably the best thing about the film. I originally had a few concerns about the casting choices but after seeing this I'm very happy. The two main choices I was concerned about was Martin Freeman as Bilbo, and Richard Armitage as Thorin. I have liked both if them in previous things, Freeman as John Watson in Sherlock, and Armitage as Guy Of Gisbourne in the Robin Hood TV series, but didn't think they'd suit these roles. Boy was I wrong, Freeman did a brilliant job as Bilbo giving both comedy, as well as a great dramatic performance, and Armitage suited the role of Thorin, and showed the serious, and moodiness characteristics of the character. Freeman also showed both the drive for adventure that comes from the Took side of his family, as well as the cautiousness, and timidness that has built up in him being a Bagins perfectly. I wasn't too sure if I liked the lack of beard on Thorin, as being the leader of the Dwarves I'd have expected a bigger beard. I was however happy with the shorter beard in the finish, as I don't think Armitage would have suited a longer beard, plus it shows his expressions a lot clearer. Other actors like Barry Humphries as the Goblin King, Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown, James Nesbitt as Bofur, Aidan Turner as Kíli were also brilliant choices, and the return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, and Christopher Lee as Saruman was also nice.
There was ton's of fun in this film, and I loved how the Dwarves were adapted from the book to big screen. You could see the different emotions in each dwarf easily, and I loved how in a bunch of jolly people there is one that is very serious, in this case there leader Thorin. Out of the Dwarves, I especially liked Thorin, and felt that he probably changed the most throughout this film. He's a very serious person, who wants nothing more than to reclaim his homeland. He's a good leader, and a courageous warrior, and it is shown in this film. He also feels that Bilbo is a burden, and that he is holding the group back, and I love how Bilbo perseveres and does everything he can to prove that he belongs in this group. I also like how Thorin hates Elves, and after it is shown why, you can see why Gimli was reluctant to trust Legolas in the Lord of the Rings films.
I also loved how many characters from the Lord of the Rings returned for this film, and although they were in the book anyway it's nice to see them anyway. Seeing, Galadiel, Elrond, and Saruman again was nice, and the scene between them was brilliant. The scene was very dramatic and I loved how Galadriel spoke to Gandalf telepathically, and how she was kind of happy with what Gandalf wanted to do. It was also nice to see Saruman before he went evil, as throughout the Lord of the Rings films he is nothing but. I also liked that due to the film starting with an older Bilbo (played by Ian Holm, who played him in the Lord of the Rings films) we got an appearance from Frodo Baggins (the main character from Lord of the Rings) which was very nice. I will also be looking forward to any future cameo appearances, mainly Legolas', who's the only remaining character that has been conformed as making an appearance during these films.
The first scene after the story starts is where Bilbo is visited by Gandalf, and asked to join him on an adventure. When Bilbo refuses Gandalf marks his door so as the Dwarves would know where to meet him. The Dwarves then come in various number, starting with just one, to a confused Bilbo who doesn't know why his house is getting filled by Dwaves. Finally Gandalf arrives with the remaining Dwarves, apart from Thorin, and Bilbo realises that Gandalf has set this all up. This scene was hilarious, and I love how Bilbo was befuddled as to why all these people were in his house and eating his food. It was also nice how we saw the mentality of the Dwarves in this scene, and how they aren't very polite, love their food, and are constantly jolly.
I was also happy when I heard that Gollum would make an appearance in this film, as I loved him in both the book, and the Lord of the Rings films. It was also nice to see how Bilbo got the ring and that Gollum has had his split personality for over a long time. Andy Serkis does another marvellous job at portraying this confused, and deranged character. I do however feel that he was able to show the different sides of Gollum a lot better in this film, as we see him all happy and jolly one minute, psychopathic the next minute, and a bit of both in between. It was also interesting seeing how Bilbo reacted to this creature, and it was fun to see the two play a game of riddles, where if Bilbo won, Gollum would show him the way out, and if Gollum won he would eat Bilbo.
The Goblin King was also in this film, and I was looking forward to seeing how he'd be adapted for the big screen, as the character was brilliant in the book, and had some interesting scenes. Going into the film I didn't know what to expect, besides what I envisioned he'd look like, whilst reading the book, as I avoided images of the film so I didn't spoil anything. When I saw him in the film I was both surprised, and pleased. He was big like in the book, but he was very bloated, and had a sagging chin. I personally thought this was interesting, and it defiantly made him look more gruesome. I also liked how he dwarfed even Gandalf, like he should, and how he also added a bit of humour, whilst adding gore.
Final Verdict
A very good film, and anyone who is a fan of the book, or Lord of the Rings will love it. I would highly recommend it but am a little sad that I will have to wait a year to see the next part, and a further ha;f year to finish it.
Rating: 4/5
