While it's not LotR, The Hobbit is a wonderful romp through Middle Earth. It is good to spend some time there before the character's hearts grow heavy with the weight of the war against Sauron. Martin Freeman is brilliant as a young Bilbo Baggins, and while it's a bit difficult to keep so very many dwarves straight, they are enjoyable and wonderful to watch as a group. If you're not sure about the high frame rate + 3D technology, go see it without 3D. It is still beautiful and a very well-told story even without our gimmicky technology.

Make sure you brush up on your Unexpected Tales and Silmarillion lore! There's a lot of it in this movie, which makes it kind of slow for regular movie-goers. But if you're familiar with the stories, its a blast!!! Radagast the Brown, who is barely a character in the books, is brought to life in a HUGE way and you can't get enough of him. The dwarves are great fun, just like the books. Silly but tough!

I saw this in IMAX 3d and though many critics are saying it was over done and too long I enjoyed it tremendously! I I Loved how it gave a bit of history through out the movie. Especially at the beginning where Frodo was brought in along with Gandalf and Thorien. The fight scenes were graphic but not bloody, which I find to be a plus. Andy Serkis does a fabulous job in portraying Gollum and developing Gollums character. I love detail in anything and the detail provided in the scenery is just amazing ! It is just an absolute feast for the eyes and mind!! I think Peter Jackson while maybe not staying true to the book enhanced it. i cannot wait to see it again and cannot wait for parts 2 & 3 !

You know when you are in a good place, with good friends that it will be a great adventure. Going back to Middle Earth is that great feeling. Though the critics were well, critical. As a fan of the books first, I must say thank you Mr. Jackson for bringing us this awesome Christmas gift. Stunning visuals, fantastic music, and characters we can get into! And of course the aquiring of the precious from Gollum! This will be one I will see again!

Peter Jackson does it again! The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is an excellent movie that takes its time to be true to the book and sets up the trilogy nicely for the next films. The adventure involves a vicious, gold-loving dragon by the name of Smaug, but before we get to his mountain and all that treasure, we get plenty of action involving orcs and, best of all, a younger, more realistic Gollum. This movie is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings (occurs over 60 years prior to the story in that trilogy) and there are several scenes where the two trilogies share characters and mythology. So, it's no surprise that time is spent tying the two together. In my opinion, some of those scenes could've been shorter, or omitted entirely. In fact, you'll find that the first 45 minutes of this film are slow and long-winded. I was still at the edge of my seat from the beginning and am now looking forward to the next two! BTW, I may see it again.