The Hobbit Movie Review

1. The Hobbit Movie Review By: Tiyra Ward

2. Brief Summary The main character approaches a group of dwarves and a wizard by the name of Gandalf. He was asked to tag along on a journey to redeem some treasure lost to the dragon Smaug. Bilbo soon decides to go on the journey with all 13 dwarves, although he is not aware of the troubles and obstacles he had to face to reach their destination. They face many monsters storms and interferences while on their journey. Many lessons were learned, and many choices had to be made. The trip to the lonely mountain to redeem their treasure from Smaug really took their unexpected journey to a whole nother level.

3. Differences from movie to novel? 1)In the book, during Bilbo’s first encounter with Gandalf, Bilbo becomes fed up with Gandalf for suggesting he go on an adventure, wishing him a “Good morning” and making his departure. But because Hobbits (especially Bilbo) are never impolite, he invites him to tea the next day, which he soon regrets. No such arrangements are made in the film. 2) Bilbo (like most Hobbits) is supposed to be rotund, and Bilbo is said to be more than 50 years old. Tolkien writes of Hobbits, “They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colors; wear no shoes … have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs.” 3)Thorin, the leader of the dwarves and (debatably) the protagonist of the film, enters the “unexpected party” at Bilbo’s hobbit hole last, after the feast with the other dwarves has already begun. Yet in the book, Thorin arrives with three other dwarves, making his entrance in the change making them seem all-important. 4)Frodo has a conversation with his uncle in the beginning of the movie that was not an encounter in the book. I believe that thesse are relevant changes, and I think that they work with the book well, because their not so extravagant that they completely chane the movie. The changes either are more detailed, or they make the movie more understandable. Therefore, I think the changes are necessary, and work for the movie.

4. Themes The themes that the movie and the book have in common are good vs. evil, loyalty, the home, courage, race, and wealth. WE would refer to the elves, dwarves, and men as “good.” Smaug, wargs, and the goblins are all absolutely presented as the evil side of the story. Loyalty in The Hobbit is usually based on race. For example the goblins want revenge on the dwarves since they killed the Great Goblin. Also Fili and Kili die for their uncle in the book as referring to the theme of loyalty, but linking it to family. The home has emphasis in both the movie and book, for example, in both the movie and book Bilbo is resistant to leave his home where he is comfortable. In the movie the dwarves yearn for their home back. In the novel it is important Beorn and Elrond have a home. Also Gollum and Thorin are known for not having a home. In the book there was a lot of courage brought upon us to our attention. Especially with Bard and Bilbo. Bilbo took forth the risk of even going on the unexpected journey in the first place. He opened the door to many risks even when he wasn’t aware of the outcome or consequence of his decision.  Wealth came up a lot in the novel and movie. It seemed the dwarves wanted wealth more than revenge on Smaug. In the movie and book they show how Smaug’s yearn for wealth made him do so many things. In the book there was a huge argument between Thorin and Bard for material things. Themes that I found that occurred more in the movie were sacrifice and heroism.

5. Preference? I prefer the novel, because I think that being able to see things in action adds a whole different feel to the way I view The Hobbit. Also, I like how he switched up the role of Bilbo Baggins as to the book where he is more of a hero figure. The one thing I do like about the book is that when you are reading it, you can read it in detail, and fully understand what is going on. It is leading you step by step so you know what you are reading about, and you can pace yourself. I think they really did a good job going in to detail in the movie, so that is what I like about it.

6. Movie Rating I would give this move 4 stars, because the animation was wonderful, and the movie was so detailed that I could pull exactly most of the parts right out of the book where the movie was coming from. Also, I could track the order of the movie, so it was overall just wonderful from the sound effects to the animation it was amazing. I would highly recommend this movie to any one who enjoys adventures, surprises and mysteries.

7. Faithful Adaptation? I think the movie was detailed in outlining the book so well that the many changes he made weren’t even that big of a deal. So, I believe that the movie was a faithful adaptation to the novel. You have to be a serious Hobbit nerd to realize the changes as our eighth graders are to be able to identify things as such.

8. Highlights&Weaknesses Highlights: The part where they first meets up with the goblins, and the wonderful scene of Bilbo’s first interaction with the goblin and the ring. Another highlight is the part where they are all being rescued by the eagles. I enjoyed these scenes, because they were very descriptive, active, and detailed. Weaknesses: I don’t think that he did a good job in transitions from scene to scene. I think he could have done a better job in the way the perspective and the way he chose to deliver the scenes to a point where was a little bit confusing.

9. Bilbo In Book to Bilbo in Movie In the movie Bilbo Baggins was less of the “hero” figure than he was in the book. Also in the movie Bilbo was kind of flip floppy between being dependent and independent, but in the book he was such an independent person. Another thing was that in the movie Bilbo was more to himself, but in the book he way more independent, and was more relied on by the dwarves.