(83) Fans lamenting the birth of three films from Tolkien’s quick and carefree novel may be equally pained and pleasured by An Unexpected Journey. The inclusion of songs and much lore will surely please, while purists might find fault in a number of liberties. Jackson’s lengthy action-scenes rival even those of his King Kong and, while entertaining, often register as filler. Freeman assumes the hairy feet of Bilbo flawlessly but an expansion of the original narrative-scope pulls the focus away from our loveable protagonist.
There are also hedgehogs. Instant classic.
I would consider seeing this if I didn’t have to play catch-up with many other films.
I’ve completely forgone trying to see all of the important pictures this season. I watched “Hobbit,” and I’ll catch “Django” – beyond that I’ve made myself no promises.