MEOW!
There's a moment in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey when Bilbo Baggins (a terrific Martin Freeman) is being offered a delicious appetizer by the first dwarf that enters into his home. That appetizer just so happens to look like the Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster. It got me thinking: could there possibly be an overabundance of Cheddar Bay Biscuits in the shire? Assuming that the shire is a real place for the time being (or a gigantic set as part of a lucrative $270 million budget), is it possible that it's the original birthplace as to where the Cheddar Bay Biscuits were first created?
I bet Stephen Colbert would know the answer to that question, as he is said to have lived in the shire once in his life. Yet, I couldn't find him. He could've been one of the villagers that was watching Bilbo run anxiously to catch up with Gandalf and the rest of the dwarves. Or the legend could be wrong. Perhaps he was one of the merchants working peacefully until Smaug flew by and screwed everything up. Or he could've been one of the elves. After all, the elves living in Rivendell are as tall as Buddy hims-elf (OW! THE KNEE!). Stephen would probably fit right in. Or he could've been in the next film that we would have to wait *a year* for, Oy, drink with me to days gone by (Wait, that's from something else that's coming out in a couple of weeks. Just ignore my fanboy-isms.).
So what does Stpehen Colbert and Cheddar Bay Biscuits have to do with anything in Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth? Well, unless if Colbert IS in one of the next two films of the trilogy to come out, they are pretty much like most of the first half of this film, really; it's just...there. It's there before your very eyes, to be sure, but there isn't a whole lot that is justified as purposeful or remotely interesting. There's nothing emotionally involving or any fish that needs to be eaten. It's just...there. And when it's just...there, why should we...care? Why should we care about a bunch of dwarves that sing their merry little tune at the dinner table when we've barely even begun to know them? In fact, why should we care about the concept of their adventure when they seem to be happy and sleepy and grumpy and...I'm getting ahead of myself. Most of all, why should we care about Bilbo? We know he's timid and homesick, but there's no depth and exploration to his character. All he does is wish to return home, while he and his merry fellowship of dwarves (Hehe...Tolkien Puns) almost get eaten by trolls that represent the exact opposite of integrity.
Turns out the second half answers my questions beautifully, though most of those answers will not be spoiled here. What I can say is that the second half of this film redeems any flaws that the first half had, and when it's over, you may yearn to skip a year and just get straight to The Desolation of Smaug. This is no spoiler, however: Andy Serkis returns in all of his motion-captured glory as Gollum, and he delivers one of the best performances of his entire career. Without going too much into the east (or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgcoBKWTW14), there is one remarkably beautiful moment with his character that proves just how much you can get away with in a motion-captured suit. It only lasts less than a minute, but in that moment, we see Gollum not as a corrupted monster, but as a tortured soul who realizes that one little object has changed his life for the worst. Motion-Capture Animation should be used to capture the emotions of the performer, and in this film, Serkis has perfected it.
This film was shot in 48 frames per second, even though I saw it in 24 frames instead. I remember walking into a SEARS at the Enfield Mall to get to its movie theater, and on the way there, I took a glance at one of their high-definiton televisions. One television was displaying the film CARS in what seemed to be the 48 FPS format. It looked strange to say the least, as it felt as though you were watching a live performance of a show instead of a traditional film. Yet, it was fascinating at the same time. The animation didn't feel as choppy as some of the animation in their films nowadays, so I'd say if there ever was a future for 48 FPS, then animation should do just nicely. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, on the other hand, is a live-action film mixed with CGI-animation, so it's unclear as to whether or not it works for that style. I'll give it a chance eventually.
From what I saw, some of the visuals in the first half are surprisingly less vibrant than what the location of the Shire desires the most. It's understandable that the interior of Bilbo's house is more of a dark yellow, which represents the adventure that Bilbo will eventually become a part of, and the Dwarves' desire of taking back their kingdom full of treasure. Still, the lighting does not reflect the mood of the Dwarves, who seem too happy and merry to achieve a darker tone that this film is trying to achieve. Some of the visuals in the second half, however, are absolutely breathtaking. There are some long, swooping shots, especially when they're inside the cave of goblins, and they almost make one feel as if they're flying through the air like an eagle. Speaking of eagles...I'll say no more about that.
Howard Shore's score is, for the most part, a terrific accompaniment for this unexpected journey (Tom HardyHarHar), though when he's trying to create an original composition, at times it feels as if he's borrowing a bit too much from his compositions for HUGO. I should know. I've seen that film...what...twenty-one thousand times? Still, it's nice to hear the LOTR themes that us dwarves, elves, and hobbits know and love. Also, the end credit title, "Song of the Lonely Mountain," is another wonderful song to add to the musical selections of Middle Earth. All in all, it's one successful soundtrack.
Still love that film to bits.
If you are able to exercise patience through the all-too deliberate first half of its 169-minute runtime (Oh my Lord of the Onion Rings!), the rewards are as rich as the gold the Dwarves are longing to reach for. Overall, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a solidly entertaining start for what seems to be another exciting trilogy(?) ahead of us. And come on, who doesn't want to have an adventure during the holidays? We need to get out of the house, stop writing reviews, and just journey down Squatch Road, and--
Oh...I don't think that's helping my case.
*I can't stress enough how much pain I have for those suffering through such a horrific event as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. I also believe that the cinema allows anyone, especially children, a chance to believe in the power of pure imagination once again. If you are one of those people who needs an escape from the harsh realities of that event, then this (for mature and/or older children anyways), Rise of the Guardians, or ESPECIALLY Wreck-It Ralph would be preferable options. These films understand that the cinema is for all-ages, and I invite all of you to take advantage of them if you can. Thank you so much for your time, and I hope you all have a great holiday season.*
Until next time,
MEOW!
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