The Hobbit The Motion Picture Trilogy - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Because Peter Jackson's two Middle Earth trilogies are such iconic films and a long-desired addition to 4K UHD Blu-ray, we are going to be reviewing each film on their own. With new 4K Dolby Vision HDR transfers and new Dolby Atmos audio tracks, each film will be graded accordingly. This overall review of the set will serve as an average of the three regarding the films themselves, their video transfers, and audio mixes. 

Read our review for An Unexpected Journey - 4K UHD Blu-ray

Read our review for The Desolation of Smaug - 4K UHD Blu-ray

Read our Review for The Battle of the Five Armies - 4K UHD Blu-ray

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug. More details about this release as soon as they become available.

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

[excerpt from our review for an unexpected journey ] .

"With the same CG spectacle and visual eye candy as seen in  The Lords of the Rings  trilogy, director Peter Jackson returns to Middle-earth with the bloated idea of stretching a tale that Tolkien told in a single book into a three-part trilogy. Granted, the end result is at times a wondrous and somewhat exhilarating adventure, but it is also unnecessary to incorporate material from the original trilogy or expand otherwise minor characters into significant contributors in a plot that hammers itself into an unrelated storyline. For all its minor, and arguably forgivable, imperfections, however, the first in the trilogy remains an entertaining fantasy and decent start to the adventure."   3/5 

[Excerpt from our review for  The   Desolation of Smaug ]

"Picking up soon after the events of  An Unexpected Journey , the next chapter in the epic-fantasy trilogy based on one book is an unexpected improvement over its predecessor, introducing a few new characters — as far as the original source is concerned — while still managing to stay faithful to Tolkien's vision. In this adventure, while in the guild of brave dwarves, Peter Jackson and his team appease the devoted fandom with the appearance of Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt), the shapeshifting giant who's only ever seen changing into a bear, imbuing an air of mystery and generating some well-earned sympathy. Of course, his purpose is simply to set Thorin and his company back on the right path to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the fire-breathing dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch)." 

[Excerpt from our review for The Battle of Five Armies ] 

"In spite of the thrilling visuals on display, however, the clash between the dwarves, elves, humans and eagles against a terrifying horde of goblins and orcs doesn't quite measure up to the encounters seen in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It's a shame really since the story picks up immediately where the second film left off with explosive action and mayhem as Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch) sets Laketown ablaze. The promise by this visually potent and energetic start soon subsides when it becomes clear that Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Bilbo (Martin Freeman) are treated as side characters to the clash over who has a rightful claim to the share of the gold. Thorin's (Richard Armitage) gold-lust and Arkenstone obsession blinds him from peaceful negotiations with the Bard (Luke Evans) and Elvenking Thranduil (Lee Pace) while Azog and his Orc army fight for the mountain as a strategic stronghold." 3/5

Vital Disc Stats: The Ultra HD Blu-ray

Warner Bros. Home Video brings  The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy  to Ultra HD as a six-disc package with a Digital Copy code. When redeeming said code via wb.com/redeemmovie or MoviesAnywhere, users are granted access to the 4K digital version in Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio. All six UHD100 discs, three of which contain the extended editions of each film, sit comfortably on either side of three center spindles. They are housed in a slightly thicker than normal black keepcase with a side-sliding slipcover. At startup, each disc goes directly to the standard menu screen with full-motion clips and the usual selection of options along the bottom while the iconic music plays in the background.

Video Review

[excerpt from our review for  an unexpected journey ] .

"The teal-orange aesthetic in Andrew Lesnie's cinematography benefits greatly and arguably, offers the more dramatic upgrade in this UHD edition. The Dolby Vision HDR presentation comes with a wider and fuller array of secondary hues throughout, from the striking mix of bubblegum pinks, royal violets and indigo blues of sunsets to the healthy, rosy-peach tones in the faces of the entire cast. Warmer, buttery yellows bathe several interiors scenes like the dinner at Bilbo's or at Rivendell, but other scenes are engulfed in the fiery orange and deep marigold glow of the fire. Gollum also has more of a silver coin tone to him, and the browns in the costumes are impressively varied while reds and greens are more vibrant and richly-saturated, making for a stunning upgrade overall.  (Dolby Vision HDR Video Rating: 94/100) "  

[Excerpt from our review for The Desolation of Smaug ]

"The second adventure in the Hobbit series finds its way to Ultra HD with a remarkably stunning, demo-worthy HEVC H.265 encode that offers a massive upgrade over its Blu-ray brethren. Reportedly coming from a brand-new remaster of the original elements, the native 4K transfer is consistently detailed and razor-sharp, exposing the tiniest flaw and imperfection in the clothing, armor, buildings and various weapons. The individual hairs of the entire cast are shockingly even more discrete, and the stitching and fabric in the costumes are amazingly distinct and realistic while the intricate patterns in some outfits, such as in the elvish clothing and armor, are striking. We can better make out every nook and cranny in the stage production, from the small rust spots in the set of Laketown to the individual grain in the wood.  (Dolby Vision HDR Video Rating: 96/100) "

[Excerpt from our review for  The Battle of Five Armies ] 

"This 4K edition remains the king of the mountain thanks to the improved contrast and brightness balance, supplying the action and the many daylight exteriors a  noticeably brighter and more energetic appeal. Whites really pop off the screen with vibrant luminosity, giving the hottest areas like the sunshine bouncing off the stone edges of Dale and the fluffy clouds in the sky an enthusiastic glow that's true to life. Specular highlights are top-notch and radiantly mesmerizing, equipping the armor and the edges of various weapons with a realistic metallic brilliance or the jewelry and eyes of the cast with a dramatic sparkle. A good chunk of the movie is also inundated in luxurious, inky-rich blacks that penetrate deep into the screen, providing the 2.40:1 image with an appreciable, three-dimensional cinematic quality. Velvety, stygian shadows remarkably never obscure the finer details in the darkest portions or in the blackest corners of Erebor's poor-lit halls.  (Dolby Vision Video Rating: 94/100) "

Audio Review

"The first chapter in the trilogy arrives with an outstanding, reference-quality Dolby Atmos soundtrack that fills the room with a variety of subtle ambient effects playing almost non-stop throughout the film's entire runtime. The scenes with Radagast the Brown are particularly impressive as all sorts of wildlife are heard constantly making a racket from every direction. Expectedly, battle sequences come to life with arrows flying directly overhead, swords swinging clear across the room and the goblins swarming all around the listening area. Inside Gollum's cave, voices echo everywhere with remarkable realism, and panning is fluid and flawless, generating an immersive hemispheric soundfield that's pits viewers in the middle of the action. Also, Howard Shore's score fluidly bleeds into the surrounds and heights, enveloping the listener with the exhilaration and excitement demanded of the visuals.  (Dolby Atmos Audio Rating: 98/100) "  

[Excerpt from our review for  The Desolation of Smaug ]

"This UHD edition of the fantasy sequel chalks up another win with an impressive, highly-satisfying Dolby Atmos soundtrack that rivals and surpasses its DTS-HD predecessor. As soon as the music and action begins, listeners can appreciate the improvement in the mid-range, exhibiting the smallest detail with superb, crystal-clear clarity. Whether it's Howard Shore's score or the many action sequences, acoustical details in the upper ranges display outstanding distinction and definition, allowing for each death yell of the Orcs and every clash of metal swords to be heard with amazing precision and directionality. The sizzle of Smaug's fiery breadth is discrete and accurate as it echoes throughout the room and into the top heights, creating an awesome half-dome soundstage. All the while, dialogue remains precise and very well-prioritized amid the loudest, chaotic segments. (Dolby Atmos Audio Rating: 96/100) "

"On the other hand, the constant use of sound effects throughout are the track's ultimate highlight, sure to sweep the audience away and drop them in the middle of this fantastical world. Imaging is layered with tons of background activity fluidly moving across the screen and into the top heights along with Shore's music, generating a highly-engaging, half-dome wall of sound that feels constant. A variety of subtle ambient effects expand into the surrounds and ceiling channels to create a stunningly immersive 360° soundfield. The scenes of war and mayhem provide are even more active with battle cries and howls effectively circling the listener while arrows, eagles and bats fly overhead with flawless panning, creating an awesomely satisfying hemispheric dome. In the end, the final chapter in the trilogy comes with a marvelous and highly-enjoyable mix.  (Audio Rating: 96/100) "

Special Features

Again - there are no bonus features in this set. A more elaborate multi-disc edition of the entire  Middle-earth   series from Peter Jackson is due sometime late summer 2021.

Final Thoughts

Although failing to reach the heights of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson's  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey   makes for a decent and mildly enjoyable return to Middle-earth. Picking up soon after those events, The Desolation of Smaug  improves upon its predecessor and continues the adventure with more satisfying effectiveness. Sadly,  The Battle of the Five Armies  concludes the needlessly overlong adaptation of Tolkien's prequel more with a whimper than as the exciting conclusion to the grandiose adventure it originally set out to be. The trilogy journeys the tough terrain of 4K Ultra HD with spectacularly beautiful and often stunning Dolby Vision HDR presentation and a reference-quality Dolby Atmos mix, delivering a splendidly satisfying and triumphant upgrade over their previous Blu-ray counterparts. Although lacking in special features, the UHD edition of all three films makes for an awesome addition to the 4K collection and a recommended purchase for those loyal fans too impatient for the eventual special edition.

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The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

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Ralph Potts

Thanks for another great review Ralph. They are killing my budget with all of these "can't live without" releases.  

GalvatronType_R

GalvatronType_R

I liked the Hobbit trilogy. it had its high points like Ian McKellen as Gandalf (he still got it), Martin Freeman as young Bilbo, Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug (easily the MVP of the entire production), and the overall look and cinematography. It did have its drawbacks as well. Luke Evans is not Viggo Mortensen and could not carry the narrative. The dwarves aren't nearly as interesting or fleshed out as the Nine. And they still haven't explained why the eagles could conveniently rescue people at the last second but refuse to fly them all the way to their goal. But it felt like a bit of a cash grab (like Warner Bros. and Fantastic Beasts and their inability to let Harry Potter go). I also sensed that Peter Jackson's heart was not fully into this. It did truly remind me of butter spread over too much bread, especially by the third movie. Jackson didn't really want to direct. He was happy to write and produce and let Guillermo del Toro do the heavy lifting. But the studio was running short on money, they looked for outside investors, and those outside investors said they would finance the operation only if Peter Jackson got back into the chair. So del Toro gracefully exited and Jackson took on yet another stressful two year plus triple simultaneous filming schedule.  

Cal1981

Cal1981 said: While the video is in DV, the audio is only DD+ 5.1. Click to expand...
ssj3rd said: The Hobbit comes with Dolby Atmos (True HD Core). What are you talking about? I don’t get it? Click to expand...

Franin

Picked these up with LOTR these will be the first ones will be watching. Thanks Ralph.  

Ralph Potts

Franin said: Picked these up with LOTR these will be the first ones will be watching. Thanks Ralph. Click to expand...

Beenjammin17

gonna have to get this for christmas. now i need a UDH blue ray player for it.....  

jqmn said: I agree with @Cal1981 -- the MoviesAnywhere redemption indicates 5.1 sound for LOTR; I assumed it was the same for THT. The discs are Atmos. Click to expand...

puddy77

Dave Vaughn

Dave Vaughn

Great review Ralph. I'd love to see a condensed version of The Hobbit that only follows the book without all the extra crap that Jackson threw into the story in order to make it into three films (can you say cash grab?). They still have their fun moments though.  

djoberg

Thanks Ralph! Once again I'm willing to "double-dip" thanks to your enticing review!  

m0j0

Just watched the first half of Hobbit Unexpected Journey extended edition and all I can say is WOW! The audio is just amazing! The surround sound, the atmos, everything was just superb! Truly reference quality and a joy to experience. And the video looks great too!  

djb61230

m0j0 said: Just watched the first half of Hobbit Unexpected Journey extended edition and all I can say is WOW! The audio is just amazing! The surround sound, the atmos, everything was just superb! Truly reference quality and a joy to experience. And the video looks great too! Click to expand...

Jive Turkey

Jive Turkey

I start my latest lap through the six movies with "The Hobbit" in 4K UHD tomorrow. I bought these on first day release. Today I drove 30 miles each way to pick up my wife's Christmas present to me, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I hope she thanks me for saving her trying to find it when it's pretty much sold out all over the place. Post viewing of "An Unexpected Journey".....WOW! if the UHD picture and Atmos sound could be better, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't care. Stunning presentation on my ChadB JVC 540 and 7.2.4 surround system!  

I just finished watching the hobbit on 4K blu ray and wow it’s outstanding! Possibly the best video and audio experience I’ve had. The very beginning of the battle of 5 armies was just unreal, best experience on my oled to date. I haven’t watched the hobbit since its release but I really enjoyed the hobbit and moreso than LOTR 😬 a lot more action and things to hold your interest. Both LOTR and The Hobbit look and sound outstanding and they did a great job with the transfer.  

The New PQ Tier thread for Blu-Ray - Discussion

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djoberg said: Hey Ralph, I just finished "The Unexpected Journey" and I concur 100% with your PQ/AQ score. This was true EYE/EAR CANDY!! I won't say anymore but here is the short review I just wrote for the PQ Thread: The New PQ Tier thread for Blu-Ray - Discussion Welcome Members and Friends to the Blu-Ray Picture Quality Thread. "Oculi plus vident quam oculus." - "Several eyes see more than only one." THE PQ TIER LISTS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THIS THREAD: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1168342 www.avsforum.com Click to expand...
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Review

Well, the verdict is in and High-Frame Resolution (HFR) 48 FPS - not so good.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

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Warner Brothers Pictures

174 mins. dir. by: peter jackson with,, martin freeman, richard armitage, and ian mckellen.

Peter Jackson and company brought a series of books to the big screen that many thought to be un-filmable when they struck gold with  The Lord of the Rings  trilogy. Returning to the world of J. R. R. Tolkien by tackling the precursor novel to  The Lord of the Rings  and its appendices, Jackson brings back all the charm and wonderment of Tolkien’s mystical world, and then crushes it under the obtrusive fist of the films HFR (High Frame resolution) 48 FPS presentation.

Bilbo Baggins (the always wonderful Martin Freeman) leads a simple life that he doesn’t care to see change. Unbeknownst to Bilbo, the great wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellan) has signed Bilbo up to take part in a perilous journey for which he is ill equipped. Gandalf has agreed to help a group of thirteen dwarves reclaim their home from the great dragon Smaug. To complete their plans of re-capturing their home, Gandalf has convinced the dwarves they need a Hobbit to fulfill the role of, burglar; someone who can sneak in and out of the dragon’s lair without being detected. Reluctant to join up at first, Bilbo has a change of heart and heads off on the adventure of a lifetime.

Much like a docudrama,  The Hobbit  loses heaps of dramatic tension as we all know certain characters will not meet their untimely doom when caught in a sticky situation. That dumbfounded awe and power of discovering the nooks and crannies of Middle-Earth and its colorful array of inhabitants has faded. The story has changed and the goal is different in specifics alone. Little people doing big things, the naive hero learning the world expands past his fence, the wise guide who doesn’t disclose what he really knows; it still holds a modicum of entertainment, but holds no surprises. A movie doesn’t need nail biting tension to make it a success, but  The Hobbit  certainly tries to sell the angle too many times to ignore.

Story is everything when it comes to a great film. I’ll never stopped saying it–a film can have a great story and succeed through spotty cinematography or poor sound, yet the newfangled 48FPS style of  The Hobbit  is the exception to the rule.  The Lord of the Rings  trilogy took digital effects to new heights making creatures we all know don’t exist, look real.  The Hobbit  on the other hand, takes real people and makes them appear fake. The sharp detail and fluid 3D aspects work well, but the entire film looks like a made for T.V. movie rendered into a video game cinematic instead of a stunning display of glorious eye candy. Characters often move at odd speeds, as if someone sat on a remote’s fast forward button or like a buffering video catching up after it stalls. The visual disruption of  The Hobbit  is so distracting it was hard to focus on the dialogue of the film’s two openings.

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The fear has set in that Peter Jackson may fall into the George Lucas trap.  Jackson is a far better director than Lucas ever was, but like the original  Star Wars  films (Lucas as a director or not),  The Lord of the Rings  trilogy was a milestone in cinematic history that marked an evolution in digital effects and created a marker for younger generations to adore as the defining moment in film for their childhood. Now, just like Lucas, tacky inconsequential visual styles and fancy technology have become more important to Jackson than telling a good story. It’s not so much that the HFR delivery affects his ability to tell the story, as it completely ends up deflating every aspect of the movie from that story to its stunted sense of whimsical joy.

As the film pressed along and my eyes adjusted, things did progress a little. The entire second half of the film has some great little vignettes as the team of small warriors fall into the hands of the Goblin King and Bilbo runs into our old friend Gollum, which leads to him obtaining a certain ring. Even through the unnatural character movements of the HFR process, Gollum is more impressive than ever. With even more of actor Andy Serkis’ real face bleeding through the twisted creature’s digital features, the battle of wits between Bilbo and Gollum is playfully silly while resting on a layer of terrifying uneasiness.

Ian McKellan isn’t the only familiar face returning to Middle-Earth, of course. Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis and Elijah Wood are all back in this installment. In another example of a prequel being affected by our knowledge of films/novels we’re familiar with, it’s hard not to set aside any ill feelings one might have for Christopher Lee as Saruman. When  The Hobbit  was written, he was still very much a highly respected “good guy.” Knowing that he becomes corrupted by Sauron’s re-emergence, changes the situations at hand when he is on screen. For the other recurring characters though, we do get to see a slightly different side of them at times. I’d say it’s almost awkward to see a happier, kinder Lord Elrond. Personally, I was also happy to see Flight of the Conchords’ Brett Mackenzie reprise his role as a nameless elf. He gets a bit more featured time here; go Brett.

It’s hard to tell if  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey  would be a different movie if it were presented in a format that simply looks better than this HFR garbage. A film’s presentation shouldn’t play such a contributing factor in its ability to satisfy an audience, but there’s just no escaping the misfire it causes to a film series that became an instant classic. Put  The Hobbit  next to any of the original three films and it looks like the direct-to-DVD knock-off with a slightly different name meant to trick you into a purchase.  The Hobbit  will still entertain its audience, but will never live down the stigma of its technological failure. When you buy your tickets for  The Hobbit , make sure you see the 24fps version and only pay for the HFR if you are still that curious about how bad it really looks.

Rating: 65/100

Matthew Schuchman

Matthew Schuchman | @stachereviews

As a young man growing up on the, not so mean streets of North Massapequa, Matthew Schuchman became a film buff at the age of 10. Encouraged by…

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The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy (4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray Review)

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

An Unexpected Journey

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the shire, until the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) arrives and convinces him to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers, not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and a simple gold ring that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.

Over the years, this one has grown on me. When I first saw it upon its theatrical release, I found myself more than disappointed with it. And while I still think taking 45 minutes to leave Bilbo’s damn house is too long, my boredom/frustration with it has softened. What comes afterward is a pretty fun adventure with some neat action sequences that shouldn’t be taken for granted or overlooked. Then again, Dwarves may or may not be your thing. You may enjoy them or you might find them to be a bunch of little Jar Jar Binks.

I’m not sure whether Peter Jackson was happy or reluctant to return to Middle Earth (Guillermo del Toro was originally to direct), but the ambition of the tale from a technical perspective has me thinking he was enjoying himself. I don’t be this in a derogatory fashion, but this really is his Phantom Menace . This is what he can do in this world when he gets to truly do what he wants, while also trying to play around with or pioneer some technologies. And for better or for worse, I’m glad it exists for that.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

Desolation of Smaug

Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and his companions continue their journey east and brave many dangers on their way to the Lonely Mountain, culminating in an encounter with the fearsome dragon Smaug.

My personal favorite entry of The Hobbit Trilogy. This one feels as if its the one trying to take advantage of being its own entity and not trying to hint to or artificially relive the glory of the original trilogy. Sure it brings back Orlando Bloom, but Evangeline Lilly’s presence in this is a total treat. Ditto Luke Evans. Again, it has some very cool action sequences to boot. To say it moves better and feels more lean might be easy since its the middle chapter and is already set in motion and doesn’t have to worry about concluding. But, nonetheless, its what we have here.

Smaug is an impressive CGI creation and wonderfully brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch. Its fun and kind of THE moment you want to see in this trilogy. And it works out quite excellent. Peter Jackson makes it quite its own adventure while adding scenes around with cool visuals. I’ve been pretty partial to the Lake Town, as he has crafted a nifty little environment and uses it quite well with his geography and crafting action scenes within it. Yeah, this one is my favorite of the three, but it still doesn’t come near the heights of the original trilogy, but a noble effort indeed.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

The Battle of the Five Armies

Originally posted on 12/23/24 as part of naptown nerd’s “the lord of the rings retrospective”.

Having reclaimed Erebor and vast treasure from the dragon Smaug, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) sacrifices friendship and honor in seeking the Arkenstone, despite Smaug’s fiery wrath and desperate attempts by the Hobbit Bilbo (Martin Freeman) to make him see reason. Meanwhile, Sauron sends legions of Orcs in a sneak attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As the fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance, the races of Men, Elves and Dwarves must decide whether to unite and prevail — or all die.

Battle Of The Five Armies winds up being one of the most brisk and fast paced journeys through Middle-Earth we’ve yet to see.  It might help that there really wasn’t much left of the book to stretch and it could just sit and enjoy the story at hand.  But, it winds up being a fine sendoff for a less than beloved trilogy than the originals.  It feels like it went for broke and gives each character somewhat of a nice closing moment of triumph.

As the title promises, this movie basically is just one big battle.  We open right up with a battle, then take a short break, and then get back to the battling.  This was the first of any Lord of the Rings movie that I felt just really got right into from the start.  Where we left off from Desolation, there really was no choice.  We pick up with the attack on Laketown which is actually quite engaging, even though we have to pick up the pieces and reacquaint with our characters through a panic and utter chaos.

I really enjoyed how the big battle that takes up this whole movie felt like it had nice split sections.  There were general scope fights and just random chaos, but then there were also personal battles, missions and stealth stuff that gave it such a different and unique flavor from the big battles of the original LOTR trilogy.  The most important aspect is that this thing moved and it felt like it went by really fast.  No matter how good or bad any LOTR film is, they always have felt like some grand epic movie and long.  This one was I guess the ADD one and flew by for me.

The film isn’t without its excess though.  There were some subplots that easily could have been removed from the film had some unnecessary obstacles in the way of getting to the end credits, but overall it was just fine.  This entire trilogy has been stretched, padded and rung dry, so why not a little more before its out?  There was though, one INCREDIBLY cringe-worthy line of dialogue in the film to set up a character’s place and relations in Fellowship that was pretty awful, when I felt for all the faults of The Hobbit trilogy, something like this was never one of them.  It’s one of those “I like that name…Robin” type moments.

The Hobbit Trilogy comes to a close in as grand a fashion as it could.  While this film is all about the grand action/battle finale, its a very entertaining watch and manages to leave us in a most satisfying fashion.  I actually found myself actually invested in the fate and well-being of the characters during the final battle.  And one of the villains had an “all-timer” death scene.  It left me with a positive feel about this trilogy overall, which I think is a good success of this film, because the merits and highs/lows of this trilogy will sure be a point of contention for years to come like that of another prequel trilogy.  But, for now, like that one, Middle-Earth was left in a satisfying fashion.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

Disclaimer: Screen captures used in the review are taken from the previous standard Blu-ray discs, not the 4K UHD Blu-ray discs in this release.

Encoding : HEVC / H.265

Resolution : 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio : 2.39:1

Layers:  BD-100

Clarity/Detail :  Without hesitation, with total confidents, The Hobbit films are some of the most magical and incredible looking 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray titles ever made. In fact, you could quite possibly call them the best. Jackson shot these in 4K at a high frame rate, so they are a natural jump. They have a crystal clear, smooth and heavily detailed look to them. Its a razor sharp picture with wondrous depth and is pretty breathtaking to see. Digital effects stay strong. These look like a fairy tale come to life. Dare I say these have an appearance that looks even better than I remember seeing in the theater?

Depth:  This film was shot at a high frame rate and intended for 3D theatrical screenings. Naturally is quite spacious, huge, and features some stunning instances of scale and pushback on both the exterior and interior domains showcased in the film. Zero issues occur with motion blur or jitter.

Black Levels :  Blacks are deep, rich and natural. Textures, patterns and other details hold strong on any given dark surface and no details find themselves sucked away. No crushing.

Color Reproduction :  Wow, this is just gorgeous. Even the grays and browns look lovely. Greens are quite strong and the skies featured in the film are just aweing. HDR is effects with magical beams and appropriate features that glow.

Flesh Tones : Skin tones are natural and consistent from start to finish of the film. Facial details and textures are clear as day from any given distance, like you’re staring at the people through a window.

Noise/Artifacts:  Clean.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

Audio Format(s) : English Dolby Atmos (English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD core), French 5.1 DTS-HD MA (Desolation & Battle), French 5.1 Dolby Digital (Unexpected), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles :

  • An Unexpected Journey (Extended) – English SDH, French, Spanish
  • An Unexpected Journey (Theatrical) – English SDH, French, Spanish
  • Desolation of Smaug (Extended) – English SDH, French, Spanish
  • Desolation of Smaug (Theatrical) – English SDH, French, Spanish
  • The Battle of the Five Armies (Extended) – English SDH, French, Spanish
  • The Battle of the Five Armies (Theatrical) – English SDH, French, Spanish

Dynamics : As spectacular as the video quality is on The Hobbit Trilogy so is the audio. The Atmos track is a thundering and engaging experience. With biggest of layering in battle sequences and the tiniest little nuances of depth in the quieter moments. It stretches all over the room and really pulsates and pushes the experience. Just phenomenal all around from these movies in terms of having a better than ideal viewing.

Height:  Things fly overhead, debris falls, wind howls and a lot more as the channel not only adds its own bits, but it contributes to the rolling soundscape.

Low Frequency Extension :  What powerful booming thumping the subwoofer does here with crashing, explosions, horses clip clopping, magical bursts and every kind of striking effect you can imagine hitting perfectly.

Surround Sound Presentation :  The room is fully examined and toyed with in the mix. Up, down, around, all at once – your speakers get put to work. The crisp details and rolling order really bring every scene to life in such an exciting way.

Dialogue Reproduction:  Vocals are clear and crisp, fitting and lifelike in every environment. Great attention to inflections and clarity.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy  is a 9-disc set and comes with a redeemable digital code for each film and each version of the films. All 9 discs are 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray discs and contain no bonus features. If you redeem your code via iTunes, you will have access to all of the “iTunes Extras” for the Extended Editions of the films. Using other services like Movies Anywhere or VUDU will only offer 3 featurettes for each Extended Edition.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

For me, The Hobbit movies are over all fine, though I dig Desolation of Smaug quite a bit. Regardless of your thoughts on them, there’s no denying that they are a landmark release for 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. They are absolutely stunning in both audio and video. The best the format can offer. Here’s your demo! Its magic to see these for the first time when you pop it in the player. Care was taken and perfection was pretty much nailed. You may want to wait for the better set coming down the road, but you honestly need to see this quality as soon as you’re able to.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

2012, Fantasy/Adventure, 2h 49m

What to know

Critics Consensus

Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth is an earnest, visually resplendent trip, but the film's deliberate pace robs the material of some of its majesty. Read critic reviews

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Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the shire, until the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) arrives and convinces him to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers, not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and a simple gold ring that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.

Rating: PG-13 (Intense Action Violence|Frightening Images|Intense Fantasy Violence)

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Original Language: English

Director: Peter Jackson

Producer: Carolynne Cunningham , Zane Weiner , Fran Walsh , Peter Jackson

Writer: Fran Walsh , Philippa Boyens , Peter Jackson , Guillermo del Toro

Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 2012  wide

Release Date (Streaming): Dec 11, 2015

Box Office (Gross USA): $303.0M

Runtime: 2h 49m

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Co: WingNut Films

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, SDDS, Datasat

View the collection: Lord of The Rings

Cast & Crew

Ian McKellen

Martin Freeman

Bilbo Baggins

Richard Armitage

Thorin Oakenshield

Graham McTavish

William Kircher

James Nesbitt

Stephen Hunter

Dean O'Gorman

Aidan Turner

John Callen

Peter Hambleton

Mark Hadlow

Elijah Wood

Hugo Weaving

Cate Blanchett

Christopher Lee

Peter Jackson

Screenwriter

Philippa Boyens

Guillermo del Toro

Carolynne Cunningham

Zane Weiner

Executive Producer

Toby Emmerich

Carolyn Blackwood

Andrew Lesnie

Cinematographer

Jabez Olssen

Film Editing

Howard Shore

Original Music

Production Design

Andy McLaren

Art Director

Brian Massey

News & Interviews for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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Know Your Critic: Bilge Ebiri, Movie Critic at Vulture

Critic Reviews for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Audience reviews for the hobbit: an unexpected journey.

having read the books a long time ago in a galaxy far away (inc. the silmarilion or whatever the F) and having seen the LOTR's films when they came out too but not really paying any attention to it all since then, this was a reminder of the imagination and creativity of J.R.R. Tolkien expertly put to screen once again by peter jackson. now fervently waiting to devour the desolation of smaug whenever it plays on TV.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

Precious Gollumses!!

It's definitely no LOTR...But it's still a pretty cool movie. Sure, it took it's time to try to tell the story and dragged on for a little too long, but other than that, the special effects were great, and it was entertaining as hell. It's a good introduction to The Hobbit franchise.

The decision to split up The Hobbit, has in turn split audiences. Many decry it as a simple money making scheme (which in essence it is), others struggle to see how on book only a quarter the size of any LotR book is expected to stretch the same amount of cinema time as the whole Rings trilogy combined. I however, see it as a positive. I don't mind in the least paying an extra $15 out of my own pocket for an extra 6 hours of quality film like this. It's only when they expects people to pay actual money for shite like the Twilight franchise or the Death at a Funeral U.S. remake that I have a problem with Hollywood's greed. The Hobbit, on the other hand, is perfectly capable of backing up its ticket price. And then... Lots. And lots extra. Which is nice. It differs greatly from the book in many aspects, though it has been so damn long since I've read it that I'm not sure what's actually been changed, what's new, what's gone, and what I just don't have right in my head. Martin Freeman (Sherlock, Hot Fuzz, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Shaun of the Dead, Love, Actually, Ali G Indahouse) is a fantastic Bilbo, he manages to sort of create this halfway point between Frodo and the Bilbo of the LotR trilogy. Which is really kind of perfect when you think about it. Gandalf's the same as ever, really nothing to recap (which is a solid move in my mind). Frodo's also back for some flashback/forward scenes (depending on how you look at it). Which totally makes sense, flaunt 'em if you got 'em. This isn't a line by line adaptation of The Hobbit, it's the first film of the Peter Jackson prequel to the Peter Jackson trilogy of the Rings, both of which are somewhat based on the books. So in his version of the world (which is still very loveable, just different) it makes perfect sense to have these great cameos. The Dwarves are where it all gets a bit confusing. Remembering names and faces, all that jazz. Before I continue though, let me get myself decapitated by all of Tumblr. Why the fuck is everyone going so goddamn schizoid over Kili (Played by Aidan Turner [Being Human, The Tudors]) when he's the one Dwarf without a motherhuggin' beard!? I may not be as beard-savy as L'alice (whose Tumblr is MainliningBeards) but I do appreciate the shit out of them (on that, how amazing is Thror's beard? All armoured and junk, goddamn). He's this skinny fucker with no beard, and does archery all over the place. I mean, yes it does seem like they somehow managed to fuse together Legolas and Aragon to create this dude, which is a nice touch, but he's not that babin' and he sure as shit isn't a Dwarf. Now the other two "sexy" members of the party (is sexy not heterosexual enough, should that be "eye-candy"... Nah, fuck it. Sexy) I can totally get behind. Thorin Oakenshield (Played by Richard Armitage [Captain America, Robin Hood, Strike Back, Spooks]) and Fili (Played by Dean O'Gorman[Xena, Young Hercules, Toy Love]) are not only very, very attractive, but I also totally buy them as fantasy creatures from Middle Earth. The actors playing Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori and Ori weren't overly familiar to me. Though Graham McTavish (Green Street Hooligans 2, Rambo, The Bill, Rome, King Arthur, Erik the Viking, Dante's Inferno, Call of Duty franchise, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Dawn of War II) as Dwalin is clearly a fuckin' badass. I do have some qualms with changes made, not from novel to screen, but from LotR to The Hobbit. Given that both are Peter Jackson's work, and they're meant to be in his world, why was it necessary to change the appearance of firmly grounded canonical things? The Goblins of The Hobbit (above) are great, but look nothing like the original ones. The Wargs seem to have actually taken a backwards step in my eyes, and are also unfamiliar in this screen world. It's difficult to back up my statements about "It's okay to not be the same as the book, it's Jackson's world" if Jackson keeps changing his mind about what his world even looks like. Azog not looking like any other orc was fine by me though. He was an incredible looking bad guy, with a back story, a great actor behind him (Australian Manau Bennett [Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms, Spartacus series, Sinbad and the Minotaur, 30 Days of Night, The Condemned]). Ultimately, the only killer for me about The Hobbit, is knowing that despite the fact that it's completely finished, it's still only being released at a rate of one film a year, and that hurts, because honestly, The Hobbit's great. Watch it as an adaptation of the book, watch it as a fantasy epic, watch it as the LotR prequel, watch it as a heart-warming tale of adventure from mediocrity, watch it as a cinematic marvel, or just plain watch it as Beard-Porn, whatever, it's maybe not life changing, but it's enjoyable as Hell. 79% -Gimly

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Martin Freeman in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug. A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug. A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug.

  • Peter Jackson
  • Philippa Boyens
  • Martin Freeman
  • Ian McKellen
  • Richard Armitage
  • 1.5K User reviews
  • 675 Critic reviews
  • 58 Metascore
  • 11 wins & 76 nominations total

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

  • All cast & crew
  • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Did you know

  • Trivia The production team returned to the same shooting location for Hobbiton as they used in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The land is part of a farm, which the owners allowed to be transformed into the Hobbiton set by The Lord of the Rings production crew in the late 1990s. After filming wrapped on the first trilogy, the farm's owners turned the land into a Tolkien tourism spot, offering guided tours of the Hobbiton set. With the crew from The Hobbit trilogy making improvements and additions to the aging Hobbiton set, the farm owners were happy to temporarily close down their tourism business, so filming could take place there again.
  • Goofs When the party is captured by the Goblins and Bilbo crawls away, a Goblin's CGI foot passes through the bridge he's walking on.

Galadriel : Mithrandir? Why the Halfling?

Gandalf : I don't know. Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.

  • Crazy credits Lists the publishers for all of The Hobbit in all the different languages.
  • Alternate versions Also shown in a 3D and 48 fps version, but the content is the same.
  • Connections Edited into The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Extended Edition Scenes (2013)
  • Soundtracks Blunt the Knives Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien from "The Hobbit" Music composed by Stephen Gallagher (as Stephen Gallagher) Produced by Stephen Gallagher (as Stephen Gallagher) Performed by Jed Brophy , Adam Brown , John Callen , Mark Hadlow , Peter Hambleton , Stephen Hunter , William Kircher , Graham McTavish , James Nesbitt , Dean O'Gorman , Ken Stott , Aidan Turner

User reviews 1.5K

  • Dec 20, 2020
  • Why are the names of the blue wizards are not mentioned in this film?
  • When Gandalf talks to Bilbo about Sting, he mentions that "Elvish blade glows blue when orcs or goblins are nearby", should this rule apply to the Foe-hammer and the Goblin-cleaver as well?
  • Are the Goblins different from the Orcs?
  • December 14, 2012 (United States)
  • New Zealand
  • United States
  • Official Facebook
  • Official site
  • The Hobbit: Part 1
  • Mangaotaki, Waikato, New Zealand
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • New Line Cinema
  • WingNut Films
  • See more company credits at IMDbPro
  • $180,000,000 (estimated)
  • $303,030,651
  • $84,617,303
  • Dec 16, 2012
  • $1,017,030,651

Technical specs

  • Runtime 2 hours 49 minutes
  • Dolby Atmos

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Martin Freeman in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Review

This return to middle-earth is just shy of greatness..

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the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

Peter Jackson's fourth trip to Middle-earth can't quite recapture the greatness, emotional impact or charm of the LOTR films, but there's still much to enjoy about The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

In This Article

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 4K UHD Review

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Party Dwarves

The Hobbit bears a prequel curse. Of its main characters, the stakes are few. Enjoyable as Martin Freeman is as Bilbo, bringing a wry British demeanor to Lord of the Rings ’ often stuffy seriousness, it’s clear where Bilbo’s journey ends. Same with Gollum, introduced in an Unexpected Journey via an overlong, sagging riddle game where neither key player in this saga will meet any end.

Unlike watching, say, Anakin Skywalker drift toward evil, in Bilbo’s world, his journey exists as mere adventure – Bilbo the character isn’t poised for any grand transformation after the first act. That makes Unexpected Journey particularly ponderous, and for its flashes of creativity, often recycles thrills. Instead of the snow avalanche in Lord of the Rings , it’s rocks in Unexpected Journey . One troll becomes three. Orcs ride on Warfs to chase down the heroes at the film’s end, just like in Fellowship .

Unexpected Journey stages ridiculous yet fun battles

Even the script falls to redundancy, numerous scenes forcing Bilbo to question whether to stay in the party. Doubt is fine. Three times the doubt is not, even if the arc finds a proper conclusion.

What Unexpected Journey offers though is heart. Where Frodo became the unlikely hero, so too does Bilbo. It’s made obvious by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) who states, “Everyday deeds of ordinary folk keeps the darkness at bay.” That’s lacking in subtlety, if inspiring to this team made only of dwarves and a Hobbit. In every scene, their stature becomes a focus, always made out as feeble and tiny against ever greater enemies. The visual allegory never loosens its grip.

Released a decade after Fellowship , An Unexpected Journey provides whiffs of nostalgia in places. Keeping musical themes and revisiting places all drift back to those Peter Jackson-led originals, let alone the necessary story beats that connect into the next chapters.

At least it’s livelier though. Playing in a world where goblins, orcs, and trolls wander, Unexpected Journey stages ridiculous yet fun battles. Watching the heroic group escape goblins by luckily sliding down a mountain to a comfortable stop belies reality, appropriate since the world as a whole does too. Also, it’s an energetic offset to the concurrently dry Bilbo/Gollum confrontation. Then, in those final moments, Unexpected Journey lays into the luster and glow possible in such fantasy, flying toward a sunset on the backs of giant eagles, a visually scintillating series of images, even if the previous two hours were absolutely exhausting.

the hobbit an unexpected journey 4k review

Unlike Lord of the Rings, Hobbit went before an entirely digital lens. The result is a 2K finish, and this UHD upscale is… fair. Note this does not look akin to a 4K source. From the earlier generation of Red cameras, the image struggles in resolving complex detail at medium or long range. A pervasive edginess lessens fidelity (look for ringing during the Gandalf/Sauruman meeting in Rivendell). Shots of the Shire pitifully handle the tall grasses, patches looking like blobs. Dwarf beards often suffer the same fate. Whatever remastering took place in preparation for this release, it didn’t (or couldn’t) overcome the dated technical stakes.

That’s not to say Unexpected Journey is without impressive sights. Texture and detail in close persist. Facial definition and the like produce texture in droves, up close anyway. Costumes excel given the added resolution. Not all is lackluster.

Color grading employs warmth almost constantly, aside from night, of course. There, deeper blues understandably take hold. Greenery pops, still flush with orange though by design. Primaries follow the aesthetic.

Via Dolby Vision, punchier contrast helps Unexpected Journey glow. Fire shows a strong intensity. Sunlight and moonlight too. Genuine gains in black levels increase dimensionality a notch over the Blu-ray, deeper and more nuanced. Gorgeous, A-class stuff even if the rest isn’t.

Adventurous in the best ways, Atmos design has a blast, and is totally fearless in tracking the material. Invading the troll camp, voices spread across every channel. It’s more than the action ending the scene, but prior as Bilbo stealthily wanders, troll chatter keeping a constant sense of space. Even height matters, dialog above Bilbo accentuating his shortness. Rain and thunder sound exquisite.

Superb action design matches Lord of the Rings easily. Clashing swords and shields clank in every channel, supported by spectacular range used to push the low-end whenever necessary. The opening attack from Smaug builds a fire wall, filling the room. Trolls stomp about, each step powerful and tight. The stone giant brawl adds some deep bass support, while crumbling rocks fall everywhere. An audio spectacle.

Nothing other than the extended and theatrical cuts on separate discs.

Full disclosure : This Blu-ray was provided to us for review. This has not affected the editorial process. For information on how we handle review material, please visit our about us page to learn more.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit begins with An Unexpected Journey that’s too often expected and too long, if still enjoyable fantasy fare.

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The following six screen shots serve as samples for our subscription-exclusive set of 68 full resolution uncompressed 4K screen shots grabbed directly from the UHD:

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Matt Paprocki has critiqued home media and video games for 20 years across outlets like Washington Post, Variety, Rolling Stone, Forbes, IGN, Playboy, Polygon, Ars, and others. His current passion project is the technically minded DoBlu.com . You can read Matt's body of work via his personal WordPress blog, and follow him on Twitter @Matt_Paprocki .

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – review

"Unexpected" is right, for a couple of reasons. Peter Jackson , the man who brought Lord Of The Rings to the big screen to eardrum-shattering acclaim 10 years ago, is now taking just the same approach to Tolkien's much slighter, slimmer children's book The Hobbit. It's getting expanded into three movie episodes of which this whoppingly long film is the opener.

So Tolkien's gentle tale is going to be a triple box-office bonanza, occupying the same amount of space as the mighty Rings epic, an effect achieved by pumping up the confrontations, opening out the backstory and amplifying the ambient details, like zooming in on a Google Middle Earth.

The second unexpected point is the look of the thing. Jackson has pioneeringly shot The Hobbit in HFR, or High Frame Rate: 48 frames a second, as opposed to the traditional 24, giving a much higher definition and smoother "movement" effect. But it looks uncomfortably like telly, albeit telly shot with impossibly high production values and in immersive 3D. Before you grow accustomed to this, it feels as if there has been a terrible mistake in the projection room and they are showing us the video location report from the DVD "making of" featurette, rather than the actual film.

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There can be no doubt that Jackson has made The Hobbit with brio and fun, and Martin Freeman is just right as Bilbo Baggins: he plays it with understatement and charm. But I had the weird, residual sense that I was watching an exceptionally expensive, imaginative and starry BBC Television drama production, the sort that goes out on Christmas Day, with 10 pages of coverage in the seasonal Radio Times, and perhaps a break in the middle for the Queen's Speech.

Well, it grows on you. The HFR style has immediacy and glitter, particularly in the outdoor locations, where the New Zealand landscapes, in all their splendour, are revealed more sharply and clearly, and there is an almost documentary realism to the fable. Indoors though, it's not quite the same story.

We approach the drama via its mythic setup: the terrifying dragon Smaug appropriates the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. The older hobbit, played with maundering geniality by Ian Holm is presented to us; then it's back in time to meet our unlikely hero, the gentle Bilbo Baggins, younger but still a somewhat donnish, bookish bachelor figure like Tolkien and CS Lewis. He is contacted by the charismatic Wizard Gandalf The Grey — and it's a pleasure to see Ian McKellen back in the cloak, whiskers and pointy hat, bringing a sparkle of life and fun to the part, and stealing the scene with ruminative little smiles and eyebrow-raisings.

Under Gandalf's influence, Bilbo is forced to confront his destiny as a hobbit of action, and acquaints himself with the robust warrior class of dwarves. There's a nice performance from Ken Stott as Balin, with an outrageous big purple-ish nose, as if he's spent his time in exile drinking malt whisky. They are led by the mighty and taller warrior Thorin, played by Richard Armitage.

And so the quest begins, and the questers come across such familiar figures as Galadriel – a seraphic and almost immobile Cate Blanchett – and Saruman, played with impassive dignity and presence, of course, by Christopher Lee. But soon they must tackle the evil Orcs.

There are explosively dramatic battles, with a lot of 3D plunging from vertiginous heights. But the crux comes with Bilbo's meeting with the ineffably creepy Gollum, played in motion-capture once again by Andy Serkis. It is a terrific scene, a contest of nerves, a duel of wits, and the one moment in the film where the drama really comes alive and Freeman's (admirable) underplaying of the role works well against Serkis's animal paranoia.

There is also something quietly affecting in Gandalf's moral strategy in recruiting Bilbo: "I found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I'm afraid, and he gives me courage."

And the rest of the film offers an enormous amount of fun, energy and a bold sense of purpose. But after 170 minutes I felt that I had had enough of a pretty good thing. The trilogy will test the stamina of the non-believers, and many might feel, in their secret heart of hearts, that the traditional filmic look of Lord of the Rings was better. But if anyone can make us love the new epically supercharged HFR Hobbit, it's Peter Jackson.

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THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Review

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey review. Matt reviews Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey starring Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen.

Technology will march forward.  That march usually involves something getting trampled along the way.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is underfoot of  horrible 48fps 3D, also known as HFR 3D (High Frame Rate 3D).  Billed as a technology to sharpen 3D and reduce the headaches it can cause, HFR 3D has crippled Peter Jackson 's return to Middle-earth.  Without the atrocious visuals, Jackson's film is still slightly repetitive and bloated, but the magic mostly remains intact.  But under HFR 3D, the journey looks like a cheap soap opera on fast forward with crappy digital effects.

Taking place sixty years before The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bilbo Baggins ( Martin Freeman ) is cajoled into joining a company of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield ( Richard Armitage ) and Gandalf the Grey ( Ian McKellen ).  Their mission is to reclaim Thorin's kingdom of Erebor and the riches therein from the dragon Smaug.  Bilbo, who is perfectly happy to live in his comfortable hole in the ground, is to be the party's burglar since hobbits can move quietly, and Smaug will be unfamiliar with Bilbo's scent.  Reluctantly, Bilbo joins the adventure, but dark forces begin to circle the setting as the party makes their way to Thorin's fallen kingdom.

Setting aside the HFR 3D for a moment, The Hobbit is an odd adaptation because it's one of addition rather than subtraction.  Addition is usually used when adapting childrens books, and while J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is geared more towards children, it's still a bona fide novel.  Reducing The Lord of the Rings into movies helped streamline the narrative and make a series of films that were better than the books*.  With The Hobbit trilogy, Jackson and co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens have pulled minor sentences to expand the narrative.

This expansion serves to fatten up the story but never in a way that feels significant to the plot or the central characters.  An Unexpected Journey greatly expands the role of the wizard Radagast the Brown ( Sylvester McCoy ) to make him the discoverer of a necromancer, but Radagast is so ridiculous—he's a granola hippie with birdshit in his hair and rides around on a sled pulled by bunnies—that it feels like something better suited to an extended edition or excised altogether.  The movie also forces an antagonist by bringing out Azog ( Manu Bennett ), an orc seeking revenge against Thorin.  His presence is particularly confusing when we learn that the dwarves were basically too lazy to kill Azog the first time they faced him.

Teasing out these supporting characters and plotlines may be good for the full trilogy, but in the span of An Unexpected Journey , they only raise the question of why so much time is devoted to these minor characters at the expense of the dwarves.  In addition to having similar names ("Oin", "Gloin", "Ori", "Dori", "Nori", etc.), we never see much of their personalities.  By the end of the film, I could only name half of the dwarves, and I imagine most audiences will simply reduce to the characters by identifying them as "Handsome Dwarf", "Other Handsome Dwarf", "Fat Dwarf", "Old Dwarf", etc.

Undervaluing characters at the expense of expanding the plot and lengthening the action scenes is ultimately what makes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey a weaker story than the first chapter in The Lord of the Rings , The Fellowship of the Ring .  Granted, the fellowship has fewer and more diverse characters, but at least we have some idea of who they were by the end of the film.  The dwarves are simply background, and Freeman, McKellen, and Armitage are burdened with the task of making us care about the journey.

Thankfully, they all give wonderful performances.  Freeman is an absolute delight, and it's clear why the production chose to work around his Sherlock schedule just so he could lead the picture.  His portrayal of Bilbo is funny, bashful, scared, nervous, and an all-around compelling character.  McKellen remains as essential to Peter Jackson's Middle-earth as the visuals, score, and any other technical aspect.  He gives the movie both its dramatic gravity and its sense of wonder.  As for Armitage, he gives a commanding performance as someone embittered by the loss of his home, entitled to reclaim his throne, and monomaniacal in his pursuit of his goal.  Viewers had some sense of how Bilbo and Gandalf fit into this world, but Thorin's presence adds some freshness to the tale.

Overall, it's so wonderful to sink back into the familiarity of Middle-earth.  Howard Shore 's magnificent score makes feel like we're back to the awe we experienced back when we saw the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  The gorgeous production design, the sweeping vistas, the rich cinematography, and much more all make Unexpected Journey feel like a homecoming, albeit one that's not quite as welcoming as before.  The house is bigger, the trappings are more decorative, but the company isn't as inviting.

Aside from shortchanging the majority of the cast in favor of cameos and two-dimensional new characters, Jackson has created a film with action that's bigger, but rarely better.  Almost all of the set pieces boil down to the characters being on the run, getting cornered, and then being rescued at the last-minute by an external player.  Furthermore, a run through the goblin tunnels is reminiscent of the Moria chase in Fellowship of the Ring , but it lacks the pacing and patience of Jackson's 2001 film.  The 3D allows Jackson to fill the frame with more stuff, but the result ends up feeling more like a theme park ride than a breathless escape.  Relying on "bigger" and "more" ties into the travesty that is HFR 3D.

First, let me say that I applaud ambition, but there are two kinds of ambition when it comes to filmmaking.  There's artistic ambition, which is abstract, and then there's technical ambition, which is a straight line.  Technology gets better over time.  Visual effects improve, but they all had to start out a place where they were likely less-than-impressive.  When Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within came out, we fell into the Uncanny Valley, but technology helped pull us out and we're further now than we were in 2001.  Trying to de-age Jeff Bridges in TRON Legacy didn't work out, but I'm sure we'll perfect that process within the next ten years or so.  So it is with HFR 3D that someone had to be first, it had to be someone with budget and freedom, and that person was Peter Jackson with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey .  I don't know if HFR 3D will ever get better, but in this movie, it is downright abysmal.

Jackson decided to use HFR 3D because he wanted to draw viewers deeper into the experience.  Personally, I find that 3D creates a barrier between a film and the viewer, but if it's used well, we can accept it (or at least those of us who don't get a headache from it; 3D is physically impossible for some people).  The HFR 3D in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey isn't something we accept.  It's something we endure.  We endure how characters move in a completely unnatural way and with creatures that somehow look less convincing that what Jackson and his team conjured in the early 2000s.  Middle-earth looked alive in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  HFR 3D makes it look undead.  When I saw old Bilbo ( Ian Holm ) reach for a pen and that movement didn't look right, I audibly said, "Oh no."

HFR 3D also raises the question of director intent.  To see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey as Peter Jackson truly intended, you have to see it in HFR 3D.  For some, it may work.  I know people who look at their 120hz TVs and they don't see an HD, lo-fi image.  They just see the HD.  But this is the problem with not only HFR 3D, but 3D in general: we're no longer debating craft.  We're debating technology.  We're arguing over the very presentation of a film removed from its story, characters, and debating if it even looks "right".  I don't know where a discussion begins if we don't have a uniform viewing experience, and if one viewing method is deemed less worthy than another by the filmmaker.  So if you see the film's most memorable scene—the game of riddles between Bilbo and Gollum ( Andy Serkis )—and you see it in 2D, you may not be seeing it how Jackson intended.  But you'll see it at its best.

Rating the film: B-

Rating the film in HFR 3D: C-

*The books are a chore.  Tolkien's a bad writer, the story takes too long to get going, and there's too much damn singing and crappy poetry.  A straight adaptation would have been terrible.

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Experience the complete epic adventure. Director Peter Jackson takes you There and Back Again with The Hobbit Trilogy

The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy

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The Hobbit: Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical)(4K Ultra HD)

Peter Jackson journeys back to Middle-earth with an all-new adventure following Bilbo Baggins, who’s swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Bilbo, along with the company of thirteen dwarves and the wizard Gandalf the Grey, encounter trolls, orcs, goblins, elves and the mysterious Gollum.

Product details

  • Digital Copy Expiration Date ‏ : ‎ December 31, 2022
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 7.05 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 883929704729
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Peter Jackson
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ 4K
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 3 hours and 2 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2020
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott
  • Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ Spanish
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ Spanish, English
  • Producers ‏ : ‎ Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins, Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Warner Bros.
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08KQBYM1X
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 6
  • #95 in Action & Adventure Blu-ray Discs

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[Rating:3.5/5]

The-Hobbit-an-unexpexted-journey-BD_01

Peter Jackson returns once again to the land of Middle-Earth for a tale that precedes the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy that he so adeptly brought to the big screen. As soon as the new journey opens, fantasy fans are transplanted to a familiar place, in part due to the skills of returning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, but also because Jackson and fellow screenwriters Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Guillermo del Toro engulf us in the familiar rhythms of Tolkien’s writing.

It is long before the epic journey that Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) would take into the heart of Mordor to save Middle-Earth, and Gandalf (Ian McKellen) has arrived to enlist the young Bilbo (Martin Freeman) in an unexpected journey. It is a journey that will take the less than willing hobbit on a dangerous quest with a group of dwarves, led by dwarf prince Thorin (Richard Armitage), through treacherous mountains, while hunted by orcs and wolves, to reach the former dwarf kingdom once resplendent with gold, now guarded by a foul dragon named Smaug.

Fans of The Lord of the Rings will immediately recognize the various scenes of the band of heroes trekking through various mountainous regions, being chased by orcs, and battling for their lives. It might all seem rather reductive at first. However, Jackson and co. are effective in setting a good pace and keeping the story lively and, well, unexpected with humor and heart. Most of all, the sumptuous visual effects which have taken great strides in the over a decade since the last trilogy was made have grown even more palpable and at times frightening. Stone giants tower over our heroes hurling boulders, hordes of orcs riding wild, snarling beasts are in hot pursuit, and, of course, the motion capture villain Gollum (Andy Serkis) looks more malevolent than ever.

Still, even with all of this, there are times when the film does drag a bit in its nearly three-hour run. One can’t help but consider if it was truly a wise choice for Jackson to turn what was a solitary novel, so much smaller in scope to the sprawling, triple-volume, Lord of the Rings , into what is going to be another cinematic trilogy on the same scale. Having never read the source material as I had with the former, I cannot comment directly on how much artistic license has been taken in order to stretch the story out over such a space. I would have to assume, however, given the condensation that took place with the Lord of the Rings for its cinematic versions, and given the girth of those films, that some padding must be going on here to expand Bilbo’s tales into three epic films.

That said, given the overall quality, nonetheless, of this initial offering, which, after all, is intended as the setup of a trilogy, we could still be in for a quite satisfying fantasy trilogy in the long run.

Video Quality

[Rating:4.5/5]

The-Hobbit-an-unexpexted-journey-BD_02

The Hobbit was shot in high definition with the Red Epic cinematographic HD camera, and is also in fact a native 3D production. We were only provided the 2D Blu-ray combo pack for review by Warner, and that comes to Blu-ray with an AVC/MPEG-4 1080p transfer. Being a digital production, there is no film grain as such, but I did notice some digital anomalies in the image that are most likely a result of the production and camera. In some darker areas of the screen there was some noticeable digital noise and posterization that intruded on the otherwise pristine image. Apart from that, this is a nicely rendered transfer with extended details, nuanced shadow delineation, and strong contrast.

Audio Quality

[Rating:5/5]

The-Hobbit-an-unexpexted-journey-BD_03

The English soundtrack is provided in a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz/24-bit) mix with a wide and natural dynamic range that both captures the score of Howard Shore with a natural balance and air around its instrumentation, and the various foley effects such as the marching of the orcs or clanking of swords for a tight 360-degree soundstage. Dialogue is clear and always above the fray of sounds while lows are deep, providing a decent workout for the subwoofer.

Supplemental Materials

The-Hobbit-an-unexpexted-journey-BD_04

All of the supplements reside on a second extra Blu-ray Disc. The bulk is made up of two-hours worth of video blogs from director Peter Jackson on the production of the film and trailers for the film and games.

The supplements:

  • New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:06:35) – From Matamata to Queenstown, travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand, transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-Earth.
  • Video Blogs (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 02:07:07)
  • Trailer 3 – Dwarves
  • Trailer 3 – Letter Opener
  • Trailer 3 – Bilbo Contract
  • Trailer 3 – Gandalf Wagers
  • Trailer 3 – Gollum Paths
  • The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-Earth
  • Guardians of Middle-Earth
  • Lego The Lord of the Rings

The Definitive Word

[Rating:4/5]

The-Hobbit-an-unexpexted-journey-BD_05

Bilbo’s courageous adventures begin with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey , Tolkien’s prequel of sorts to his sprawling Lord of the Rings . It has yet to be seen if Peter Jackson can successfully stretch the single-volume source material into another satisfying epic cinematic trilogy, but it is thus far off to a good start with familiar visuals, familiar tone, and magnificent action. There was no way this film could ever live up to the expectations placed on it, so just by existing and not being a complete disaster, it has has already won half the battle.

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The hobbit: an unexpected journey, common sense media reviewers.

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Tolkien tale isn't as great as LOTR, but better for tweens.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

As in The Lord of the Rings, the message of The Ho

No one except Gandalf thinks that Bilbo can be of

Less violent than The Lord of the Rings, but there

Slang use of "jaxie" (meaning "ass").

Although there are no product placements in Middle

The dwarves are a voracious lot -- even more than

Parents need to know that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, director Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's stand-alone quest through Middle-earth, is less violent than the scarier Lord of the Rings trilogy. But there are definitely some frightening sequences, like the battle between the…

Positive Messages

As in The Lord of the Rings , the message of The Hobbit is that even the smallest person can make a huge difference. Gandalf even says "it's the small things that keep the darkness at bay" in reference to Bilbo's involvement in the dangerous mission. Gandalf advises Bilbo that it's not knowing how to take a life that takes courage but knowing when to spare one. The dwarves' quest reminds viewers of the importance of home, kinship, and belonging somewhere. Curiosity, perseverance, and teamwork are major themes.

Positive Role Models

No one except Gandalf thinks that Bilbo can be of much help, but Bilbo rises to the occasion by summoning his courage when the time calls for it -- except for the fact that he fulfills his destiny as a "burglar" by stealing Gollum's precious ring. Thorin is dedicated to his fellow dwarves, and they in return revere him as their faithful leader.

Violence & Scariness

Less violent than The Lord of the Rings , but there's still some carnage: a battle between the dwarves and the dragon leads to the dwarf king being decapitated, an orc leader's arm amputated, and a multitude of dwarves and their property destroyed. There are several close calls when Bilbo, Gandalf, and the dwarves are pursued or nearly die on their journey across Middle-earth, usually by orcs and their beasts. The orc leader is a frightening sight -- particularly with his claw-like prosthesis, and he's bloodthirsty. A group of goblins/orcs tries to kill the group as well.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Although there are no product placements in Middle-earth, the Tolkien books and Peter Jackson film adaptations have spawned a ton of merchandise: apparel, video games, LEGO toys and board games, role-playing games, special movie tie-in editions of the books, and more.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The dwarves are a voracious lot -- even more than hobbits. They ransack Bilbo's pantry and consume large quantities of drink (and food). Gandalf and Bilbo smoke the mellowing pipeweed.

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Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, director Peter Jackson 's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's stand-alone quest through Middle-earth, is less violent than the scarier Lord of the Rings trilogy. But there are definitely some frightening sequences, like the battle between the dragon and the dwarves of Erebor, during which one character is decapitated, another has an arm amputated, and there's mass destruction. The group of Bilbo, Gandalf, and 13 dwarves is often tracked and pursued and nearly killed several times, but they manage to avoid death -- at least in this installment. Bilbo (like Frodo and his friends in the LOTR movies) again shows that size doesn't matter when it comes to making a difference. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

  • Parents say (52)
  • Kids say (233)

Based on 52 parent reviews

Suitable for kids IMO.

Definitely not as good as the book..., what's the story.

Peter Jackson's first installment in his three-part adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien 's THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY starts off with an eleventy-one-year-old Bilbo Baggins (played once again by Ian Holm ) narrating the tale of how he, a mellow hobbit from the Shire, ended up enmeshed in a dangerous quest. Sixty years before The Fellowship of the Ring is formed, a considerably younger Bilbo ( Martin Freeman ) sets off an the titular Unexpected Journey with his friend Gandalf the Grey ( Ian McKellen ) to help 13 dwarves reclaim their homeland -- the kingdom of Erebor, which was taken over by a killer, gold-seeking dragon that forced the dwarves into exile. The motley crew, led by Gandalf and the smoldering heir to the Erebor throne, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), encounter two-and-a-half hours of conflict (most notably with the bloodthirsty orcs) with a brief respite found in the elven homeland of Rivendell, where Galadriel ( Cate Blanchett ) offers Gandalf her unconditional support.

Is It Any Good?

Despite issues with length and pacing, there's no denying this is a production worth seeing, especially with kids new to Tolkien's detailed universe. As a novel, The Hobbit skews younger than The Lord of the Rings , so it's only natural that the film is also more accessible for tweens -- just have them look the other way for a few of the darker battle sequences. The story is simple enough, and the visuals are dazzling (the 48 frames per second rate is neither as spectacular or headache-inducing as rumors would have you believe). The acting is admirable, including the return of our favorite wizard, Gandalf, Lady of Lorien Galadriel, and head elf Elrond ( Hugo Weaving ). Unfortunately, the dwarves all sort of blend together in a tangle of hair and mischief, with the notable exception of the broody Thorin and his swashbuckling nephews, Fili and Kili (Dean O'Gorman and Aidan Turner).

The main issue with Jackson's adaptation is that the run time is brutal, even for hardcore fans of Jackson's epic LOTR trilogy. Whereas that trilogy made sense as three separate movies -- considering it was the adaptation of three books -- The Hobbit isn't a substantive enough work to demand three movies, even with Jackson pulling extra material from Tolkien's indices. The fabulous visuals and impressive action sequences reminiscent of the trilogy are bogged down by an overlong and overly thorough first quarter that could have used a considerable edit job.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how The Hobbit compares to The Lord of the Rings . How are the stories similar (a hobbit joins a dangerous quest), and how are they different? Which adventure do you prefer?

For those familiar with the book , how does the movie adaptation differ? If you haven't read the book yet, does the movie make you want to delve into Tolkien's classic? Why do you think Tolkien's fantasy tale has withstood the test of time?

What does Bilbo learn about himself throughout the journey?

How do the characters in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey demonstrate curiosity and courage ? What about perseverance and teamwork ? Why are these important character strengths ?

Movie Details

  • In theaters : December 14, 2012
  • On DVD or streaming : March 19, 2013
  • Cast : Ian McKellen , Martin Freeman , Richard Armitage
  • Director : Peter Jackson
  • Inclusion Information : Gay actors
  • Studio : New Line
  • Genre : Fantasy
  • Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Book Characters
  • Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
  • Run time : 166 minutes
  • MPAA rating : PG-13
  • MPAA explanation : extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images
  • Last updated : October 26, 2023

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IMAGES

  1. DoBlu.com

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  2. An Unexpected Journey

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  3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

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  4. The hobbit an unexpected journey 4k

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  5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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  6. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey HFR 3D Review ~ Ranting Ray's Film

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VIDEO

  1. The Beast Awakens

  2. FIRST TIME WATCHING THE HOBBIT

  3. The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey (HD) All Tv Spots

  4. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

  5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey OST

  6. Unexpected Journey Of Bilbo Baggins #hobbit

COMMENTS

  1. Hobbit, The: The Motion Picture Trilogy (4K UHD Review)

    An Unexpected Journey was captured digitally in the Redcode RAW codec (at 5K resolution, in dual-strip 3-D, and with a frame rate of 48 fps frame) using Red Epic cameras with Zeiss Ultra Prime and Angenieux Optimo lenses. It was originally finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate at the 2.39:1 aspect ratio for wide theatrical release.

  2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Overview - Although not nearly as good as the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey makes for a decent start to a larger trilogy that eventually provides a more satisfying piece of entertainment. The film journeys the tough terrain of 4K Ultra HD with spectacularly beautiful Dolby Vision ...

  3. The Hobbit 4K Review: Finally the Trilogy Looks Like Real Movies

    He lives in Tulsa, OK and likes pasta, 90s thrillers, and spending like 95% of his time with his dog Luna. The Hobbit Trilogy on 4K finally makes Peter Jackson's prequels look like real movies ...

  4. The Hobbit The Motion Picture Trilogy

    Read our review for An Unexpected Journey - 4K UHD Blu-ray. Read our review for The Desolation of Smaug - 4K UHD Blu-ray. Read our Review for The Battle of the Five Armies - 4K UHD Blu-ray. A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it ...

  5. The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first chapter in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy set in Middle-Earth 60 years before J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings saga. Follow Bilbo Baggins as he's swept into a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug.

  6. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 4K Blu-ray (Extended)

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is presented in a 2160p HEVC / H.265 encode in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1 widescreen. Fans of the franchise are going to be enormously pleased with the results of ...

  7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Review

    The Hobbit on the other hand, takes real people and makes them appear fake. The sharp detail and fluid 3D aspects work well, but the entire film looks like a made for T.V. movie rendered into a ...

  8. The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy (4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray Review)

    In fact, you could quite possibly call them the best. Jackson shot these in 4K at a high frame rate, so they are a natural jump. They have a crystal clear, smooth and heavily detailed look to them. Its a razor sharp picture with wondrous depth and is pretty breathtaking to see. Digital effects stay strong.

  9. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

    Watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with a subscription on Max, rent on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV. Rate And Review. Submit review.

  10. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Directed by Peter Jackson. With Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott. A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home, and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug.

  11. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 4K

    A curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. Director: Peter Jackson. Writers: Fran ...

  12. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Review

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a classic adventure quest in the making; packed with colorful characters, gorgeous settings and plenty of action, the only setbacks are technical ones.Starring ...

  13. The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy UHD Review

    Worthy upgrade, but no disc extras. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released The Hobbit Trilogy in a 6-disc set on 4K UHD Blu-ray just in time for holiday gift-giving for the home theater enthusiast. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Released: 14 Dec 2012. Rated: PG-13.

  14. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

    Join Bilbo Baggins on his epic adventure in the first part of Peter Jackson's new Tolkien trilogy, based on the classic fantasy novel. Martin Freeman brings an endearing spirit to the role of the ...

  15. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Review

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey almost attains greatness yet despite so many moments of epic fun, greatness remains just out of its reach. This is a very good and entertaining movie even if it ...

  16. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 4K UHD Review

    Party Dwarves. The Hobbit bears a prequel curse. Of its main characters, the stakes are few. Enjoyable as Martin Freeman is as Bilbo, bringing a wry British demeanor to Lord of the Rings ' often stuffy seriousness, it's clear where Bilbo's journey ends. Same with Gollum, introduced in an Unexpected Journey via an overlong, sagging riddle ...

  17. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

    Sun 9 Dec 2012 09.21 EST. Xan Brooks, Peter Bradshaw and Henry Barnes review the first of Peter Jackson's film adaptations of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit guardian.co.uk. "Unexpected" is right, for a ...

  18. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 4K

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 4K Blu-ray Release Date November 30, 2020 (Extended). Blu-ray reviews, news, specs, ratings, screenshots. Cheap Blu-ray movies and deals.

  19. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Review

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey review. Matt reviews Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey starring Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen.

  20. The Hobbit: Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD

    THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY . Follow Bilbo Baggins, who - along with the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield - is swept into an epic and treacherous quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. ... 4k Hobbit The Motion Picture Trilogy Review. First, the 4 K picture quality is stunning! The natural scenery ...

  21. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-ray Review

    Video Quality. [Rating:4.5/5] The Hobbit was shot in high definition with the Red Epic cinematographic HD camera, and is also in fact a native 3D production. We were only provided the 2D Blu-ray combo pack for review by Warner, and that comes to Blu-ray with an AVC/MPEG-4 1080p transfer. Being a digital production, there is no film grain as ...

  22. Hobbit, The: An Unexpected Journey (Blu-ray Review)

    An Unexpected Journey is not a great film, and it's certainly not as good as Fellowship . But it is a good film and it's one that I've enjoyed a little more with each new viewing. Disc One of Warner's new Blu-ray release includes the film alone in full 1080/24p resolution (2.35:1 aspect ratio), down-converted from the original Redcode ...

  23. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Movie Review

    Parents need to know that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, director Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's stand-alone quest through Middle-earth, is less violent than the scarier Lord of the Rings trilogy. But there are definitely some frightening sequences, like the battle between the dragon and the dwarves of Erebor, during which one character is decapitated, another has an arm ...