Film Review

Review Plan

Intro - Brief plot of the film

Paragraph 1 - Inform reader of the director and give short opinion

Paragraph 2 - Explain a few features of the film

Paragraph 3 - Continue to explain film features/actors

Paragraph 4 - Flaws in the film

Paragraph 5 - Give Verdict of the film


Review

Plot

As Bilbo Baggins nears his 111th birthday, he recaps on the adventures he experienced 60 years ago in a book to pass on to his nephew Frodo. The Hobbit delves into his past and uncovers the story of his big adventure involving a wizard, a dwarf army, and a group of unsuspecting trolls.

Review

9 years after the last Lord Of The Rings film was released, director Peter Jackson finally succumbed to the public's needs and released a prequel to the trilogy, turning the 30s book into a fantasy film. The tale of little Hobbit Bilbo Baggins holds a place in the audiences' hearts as he follows his unusually-named dwarf friends into an adventure full of excitement, discovering that his small stature doesn't prevent him from being a hero in his own right.

Alongside producers Carolynne Cunningham, Fran Walsh and Zane Weiner, Peter has created a contemporary addition to the LOTR franchise while keeping the addictive, fantasy feel which all the other films contain. With impeccable casting, Peter Jackson has managed to reel previous Lord of the Rings actors Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee and Elijah Wood into starring in the new movie. Thankfully for him the 3 actors appear to have access to the fountain of youth and haven't aged a bit since the previous films, making them perfect for this prequel. 

From epic battle scenes to scenes that will bring a tear to your eye, this film has it all. There are a few minor flaws which could be questioned though, such as the dwarves feeling the need to burst into song more often than is needed in true High School Musical style. If they spent as much time fighting as they did singing, their quest probably would have been finished by now. Alongside this the actual adventure itself begins around 43 minutes into the film, meaning nearly a third of the screen time is taken up watching a build up to an adventure which in some people’s eyes may be a complete anti-climax. These are only minor flaws though, the film as a whole will grasp fantasy fans’ attention from start to finish, sending you through an emotional rollercoaster you wouldn’t expect from a story about a vertically challenged character who lives in a hole in the ground.

Despite a few flaws here and there, the first film in this trilogy was gripping and a great addition to the franchise. Even though die-hard lord of the rings fans will swear nothing can ever live up to the 2001 trilogy, this film is an amazing follow-up to the books.