The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey: "I Can't Just Go Running Off Into The Blue! I Am A Baggins, Of Bag End"

Director: Peter Jackson
Writer:    Fran Walsh
               Philippa Boyens
               Peter Jackson
               Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Martin Freeman
                Ian McKellen
                Richard Armitage
                Cate Blanchett
                Hugo Weaving
                 Christopher Lee
                Elijah Wood
                Ian Holm
                Andy Serkis
                Lee Pace
                Benedict Cumberbatch
Rating:    ****

Release Date: Out Now  

It has been a long and strenuous journey getting The Hobbit franchise up and running; change of directors, years of delays, and an ever changing cast, but after the hard work, stressful meetings and tiring hours, it has finally been made. Kicking off with An Unexpected Journey, it truly is a magical way to start Bilbo's adventure.

Cate Blanchett & Ian McKellen

Bilbo Baggins (Freeman) is quiet, humble and unsuspecting hobbit, who spends his days in his house, in the village of Bag End. He likes his home comforts, and he enjoys the security that his never-changing life brings. However, one day the great wizard Gandalf (McKellen) appears at Bilbo's humble abode, informing him on grand adventure he will be going on to help get back the Dwarves home, and to save the world from a dark evil. As a band of 13 merry dwarves turn up at his house to discuss the exciting journey, Bilbo is certain that he will not be going. Then the next morning he decides that he is bored of his life, and chases down the dwarves and sets off on the biggest adventure of his life.

The Hobbit is about as close as you can get to pure perfection in a fantasy film; it's only downfall is it's length, there were times where a few scenes dragged, and could've maybe been cut down a bit; but overall it was brilliant. The energy and the joy of the cast is apparent from the get go, each dwarf is full of beans, returning cast; McKellen, Blanchett, Weaving, Lee, Wood & Holm, almost glow like little children at the fact they are all back together, and as a fan of the Lord of the Rings series, this was a joy to witness. Of course Andy Serkis revives the character Gollum, and as ever his performance is electrifying; I really could go on forever about the joy I got out of this epic adventure, but I won't; and I will simply end with saying that this must not be missed.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Trailer