Customer Ratings & Reviews

This movie is so predictable. The story is very simple with no creativity. However, this movie could be fun for children. The problem is it is very long, about 3 hours.

The digital copy is not included, very disappointing.

First off, I'm a huge Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan, and have read the books, and own all extended versions of the movie. The movie is great. Great acting, writing, everything is beautiful, and the extended scenes (for the most part) are definitely worth it if you're like me and just don't want to leave Middle Earth. But the best part has been the behind the scenes documentaries. There's about 9 hours, spread between two discs, that cover the shooting of the movie in the first part, and then the more background stuff like casting and characters in the second (it's continuing on the tradition of Appendices from the extended versions of the LOTR trilogy, with Appendices 7 and 8 for this). The only downside, for me, was the Goblintown scene. It was my only letdown when I saw it in theaters, and the extended scene in Goblintown doesn't help. It was keeping with the book (which is a children's book) with the Great Goblin singing his song, but the song and dance was really out of place for both the world and scene that is being played out. As well as parts like the Great Goblin looking at the bottom of a candlestick that Nori stole from Rivendell and reading "Made in Rivendell, second age. Bah, couldn't even give it away," and tossing it over his shoulder. It is a pretty weak point in the film, but overall, it doesn't diminish it too much, for me anyway, which is why I still give it a 5* rating.

I recently read J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" to my daughter as a bedtime story, and, as I book that I started reading as a child and put down because I found it boring, I rather enjoyed as an adult. The story is often considered children's literature, but there is much, much more to Tolkien's story than a simple adventure. A lot of the humor and social criticism is lost on anyone not old enough to understand what he was trying to say. And it truly is an excellent story. With that said, my wife really wanted to go see "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" when it was in the theaters. However, she was rather pregnant at the time, and we never wound up making the trip. After convincing her to do a 3-day "Lord of the Rings" marathon, she wound up really enjoying the story as well as the individual movies. Therefore, I pre-ordered the Blu-Ray 3D/Blu-Ray/DVD + UltraViolet edition, and we waited anxiously for it to arrive. With the story fresh in my memory, I was curious to see how Peter Jackson would take a 200-plus page novel and turn it into a 3-film epic. Over the years, I've heard many complaints about the liberties taken with "The Lord of the Rings" in how the story was told from multiple perspectives. My response to these complaints was to wave my hand in dismissal and remind the complainer that they have to give some leeway when taking an established novel and interpreting it into film. Liberties HAVE to be taken; it's almost always how it goes. With that said, I had a hard time swallowing a lot of what was filmed for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." I may be blowing things out of proportion here, but only about half of what happened in the film was actually in the book. A LOT of liberties were taken with the making of this film, and I can only imagine how much additional material will be added to the following two films. Saying that, the film, in and of itself, is an enjoyable experience. If you're a long-time fan(atic) of the original novel, please accept this film as an "interpretive dance" version of the pre-"Lord of the Rings" universe as a whole. If you've never read the novel, please, by all means, watch the film. Just understand that the book, if you decide to read it, is a rather different animal. And if you have no intention whatsoever in reading the book, chances are you'll love this film, especially if you love the "Lord of the Rings" films. In conclusion, I could have done without all the liberties taken with the story to make this a 3-film epic like "The Lord of the Rings." It was a bit much for me, and, as someone who has minimal background in the world of J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbitverse, I have no clue where it all came from. My only guess is that these films will be the last Hobbitverse films made, so they're trying to cram in as much material as humanly possible.

The Hobbit was pretty good, but it doesn't look like it will approach the original trilogy, just as I thought (and was hoping against). The source material just isn't up to the task, but nor should it have to be solely judged on it. On its own, it is a great return to Middle-Earth; I can say I enjoyed every minute of it, practically. Did I enjoy it as much as, say, Fellowship of the Ring? No. The main reason is because the stakes just aren't the same. The movie plays like a sort of a side adventure to LOTR; sort of a compendium of Middle-Earth. The Hobbit is shaping up to be a nice tale that Tolkien created and Peter Jackson has interpreted, and as an opening up of Jackson's take on Middle-Earth. On it's own, The Hobbit is a pretty good movie, especially for the fantasy genre, and I think, like LOTR, once the new "trilogy" is done, it will stand even better on it's own when it's complete. That being said, there are a few issues with the movie. If I wasn't a hardcore Tolkien fan, this movie may not be for you. It IS too long. I enjoyed even the parts that went on too long, but I can see that the film itself is just too much. It's as if Jackson just made the theatrical cut like the extended DVD editions of LOTR (and that's with extended editions supposedly coming out for each chapter of The Hobbit). Truthfully, I liked pretty much everything in the theatrical cut for The Hobbit, but judged as a film, it's just too long. Maybe that has to do with Jackson trying to justify making The Hobbit into three films, maybe Jackson has just sort of lost a little perspective, because, despite having running times of all 3+ hours, the original trilogy felt briskly paced. Maybe that had more to do with the type of films; the fellowship was always on the move in some way. I must admit I sort of enjoyed the slower pace of The Hobbit, it allowed for some interesting instances of fleshing out the characters. And also more humor; one thing the Hobbit handled very well was the use of humor; in the LOTR I felt there were at least a few added "cringe-inducing" scenes that were attempts at humor that I felt just fell flat, but in The Hobbit I thought all of the humor worked well with the story, and I didn't cringe once. When the extended edition is released on Bluray, I'd like to both see a longer cut of the movie AND a shorter cut as well. I feel the theatrical version could have used some tightening up and made the movie better objectively, while the Tolkien fan in me would still want to see the scenes cut from the theatrical version put into the extended edition. Well, I can breathe a sigh of relief, The Hobbit is no Phantom Menace. Nor is it as I've said on par with the original trilogy. But it is a nice extension to that trilogy, as well as an expansion of Middle-Earth. I look forward to the next two installments, and imagine the completed film will be nearly up to the quality of the LOTR trilogy, and that is no small accomplishment.

The sticker on the front actually states it's a 3-disc edition, but the back correctly states there are four discs (two 3D, two special features). There's no DVD, and regular 2D copy (that's included in the non-Steelbook release). Still, it's a nice exclusive, and anyone who can play the 3D can at least turn off the 3D on their display to view pseudo-2D. Lack of commentary is a big disappointment though, as clearly there would have been enough space to include it on the two BD50 discs for the 3D. Look for small chips in the paint, as this has a matte finish, which is easier to chip than the glossy finishes on other Steels.

This first installment of the next Tolkien series is fantastic! On BluRay, sound is stunning, Picture Quality is Brilliant in(2D and 3D)and 3D is amazing with the right equipment. I still prefer the 2D version though. I am not a die hard "has to be like the books or else" fan. If you enjoyed the LOTR trilogy and are a fan of Peter Jackson's versions, you will Love this movie. It is a bit slower pace for the first 30-45minutes, but it is very enjoyable as it unfolds. Some brief spots here and there suffered from woody acting, but they were quick and painless and quickly forgotten as the story unfolded and energy shifted into more action and story. I look forward to the next several installments. The end felt abrupt and I was wanting more, but I suppose that will come in the next 12 months or less :) Buy it, rent it, enjoy it, the story , the myth, the Archetype of Bilbo and the Journey ahead......

MOVIE: The theatrical cut of An Unexpected Journey is, to be frank, boring. Not bad, but very very boring. It's uneven pacing made the story difficult to get into, which is especially problematic given its length. The extended cut, however, mostly corrects this issue. A few scenes, new and old, are still very much not needed, and some of the dwarves still deliver a few lines kinda awkwardly and Peter Jackson still shows some rust, but it's a far better experience. Rather than just dragging things out, the extended edition expands on what was glossed over in the theatrical cut and makes for a far more immersive movie, with a fantastic sense of time and place. For example, the Rivendell scenes now have a real presence to them, you feel like you and the characters are actually there as opposed to just kinda seeing it on the way to the next action scene. VIDEO: Identical to the Theatrical cut, which is to say, perfect. AUDIO: A 7.1 DTS-HD MA track that's mostly identical to the excellent track included with the theatrical Blu-ray, with the exception being that LFE output has been given some extra heft here, but not to any point to become overbearing or out of control. It's heavy and loud, but tight and controlled. BONUS FEATURES: Soooooo good. Over 9 hours of bonus features are included, all of them heavily entertaining and informative.

MOVIE: While its sequel is fun and beautifully paced, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey struggles to find its footing. Not a bad movie by any means, but the script has far too much in the way of filler, and it takes its toll on the pacing. What should be a snappy, fun ride is more just kinda there. That being said, these flaws are at least partially compensated for by a talented batch of actor, some lovely cinematography and visuals, music by Howard Shore and otherwise incredible sound design. The story, when focused and not distracted by filler, is actually quite good. So, I recommend watching this one, even if it is only so that you can see its far superior sequel. VIDEO: Shot digitally on the RED Epic cameras, this makes for a gorgeous video transfer. Colors are bright and accurate, contrast is beautiful and detail is well-resolved and plentiful. A sharp, vivid viewing experience. Even if it is apparent that digital photography isn't Andrew Lesnie's first language--his work on Lord of the Rings is far more attractive. AUDIO: Rear speakers are in constant, engaging use. The soundscape here is beautifully realized, and fidelity is excellent. Bass is powerful but tight. A fantastic listen. BONUS FEATURES: WB saves all the features for the extended release, so all we've got here is some short production diaries.

Ok, so it's not as good as The Lord of the Rings. Let's get that out first. That being said, this is a very good film. Not perfect, but solid. If you can avoid making comparisons to the original trilogy, you'll enjoy it even more. The cast is solid, and Martin Freeman has a surprise break-out performance as Bilbo Baggins. The riddle scene between Bilbo and Gollum is well-done (a centerpiece scene from the novel), and although the action scenes are a bit over the top and over-CGI-ed, you'll have a roaring good time. I can't wait to see what Jackson will do next. The A/V presentation here is worth the price of admission. With the extended edition coming out, this version is definitely still worth picking up if you can find a good price and if you want to have both versions in your library.

I read the book when I was younger, and again when it first came out. The story didn't follow precisely as I would hope, but nevertheless, GREAT film! If you are a movie watch who wants the movie to tie completely with the book, you still will love this fantastic novel brought to the big screen.

As with all of the films in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series', this inaugural offering in the latter of the two exemplifies the best of cinema craftsmanship. Visually stunning, flawless special effects, and very solid acting contribute toward an engaging narrative. Don't expect a fast-paced movie; none of the films are, which honors Tolkien's style of storytelling. Nor should any of these films be viewed exclusively, as they really must be seen as a series to appreciate the entirety of the story. If you are a Tolkien fan, and even if you are not, this is one film (and series) you should not miss.

This review will focus on the merits of the Blu-ray presentation. The Hobbit's 3D quality is stunning to say the least. Do not expect any gimmick pop-out shots, but you will get outstanding depth and dimensionality. As impressive is the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack. It is as monstrous as a cave troll. Only capable surround systems need apply. Special features are decent. However it is well known an extended version with presumably more features is expected at some point. Overall, this is a must buy for Tolkien fans, fantasy film fans and consumers looking for material to demo their 3D home theater.

Like The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson has done an excellent job with the first third of the Hobbit. Stunning visuals, good actors, and elements from later books that flesh out the story and connect to the later trilogy make this a good start. It is a bit slow at times, and movie length can be a little off-putting, especially when you cannot proceed immediately to the next moveie (yet). For purists, the additions can be very gratifying, but there is more than one instance where deviations from the story can be a bit glaring, especially if you prepped for the movie by re-reading the book.

The Movie: The Hobbit is a good movie for those whom like the fantasy genre. Some people have issues with the scenes with CG creatures, not looking real enough or something. I don't have those same issues. The video quality: The picture is very clean, and the colors are vibrant in the shire. Definitely takes you back to middle earth from the Lord of the Rings, but it looks better doing so. I did not see anything glaring in the picture quality department. The Sound: It is great. The score is great, vocals are clean and easy to hear. The stone giant scene is appropriately boomy.

This movie should be either 4 hours long or broken into 2 movies. To stretch out the Hobbit story into 3 movies has done two things: Created a need to "add" to the story, wherein you lose the flow of the original book & you've created side stories that just aren't necessary or interesting You also make this first film feel like an overly long trailer. Anyone who has read the book will wish the story moved along faster. You know where it is headed and there just isn't enough to fill up the time between the beginning and the end to justify the extra plot lines. Here is how you should approach watching the Hobbit to fully enjoy it. DON'T compare it to the book. I enjoyed it much more the second time around when I threw out the idea that this was J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit. This is Peter Jackson's Hobbit. He is a victim of his own success. He did such an amazing job with following the Lord of the Rings so closely (Those movies, aside from the omission of Tom Bombadill & other creative lee-ways, were so nearly what I envisioned in my own imagination when I read the books) He also had a LOT more material to work with in the LotR series. 3 movies made sense, because you had 3 books worth of characters and plot to work from. Here, there just isn't enough to warrant the length. So, go into with the mindset that this is a completely different revision of the story altogether and you will enjoy it more for it. The LotR was dominated by its characters and falling in love with each of the Fellowship's personalities. You related & cheered for the brotherhood of friendships that existed: Be it Samwise's fierce loyalty for Frodo or the humor of Legolas & Gimli's friendly rivalry. Here in the Hobbit, by the end of the movie you will find yourself still trying to just match a name with each dwarf. "Now, is that Nori or Dori? Wait, what is Dwalin's role again? I'm confused." With as much length as Peter Jackson gave this movie, he should have scrapped the made up stuff about an albino orc warrior and focused on allowing the audience to get to know each dwarf's personality better. Shoot, even Snow White's dwarves at least had their obvious attributes. This film is gorgeous to look at, although too much CGI is relied upon. Jackson may have taken a page out of Michael Bay's book on this one. Eye candy over story when it should always be story first, eye candy second. I enjoyed how Jackson used the beauty of his homeland, New Zealand to be his backdrops in the original series. Here, too much of what you see is clearly green-screened. It disconnects you from believing in this fantasy world where the LotR, at times, made you think there really could be some place called Middle Earth out there. In conclusion, I enjoyed it and will certainly look forward to the 2nd and 3rd films. I just didn't fall in love with it like I did with the Lord of the Rings. It is definitely Jackson's own version of the Hobbit with a few familiar pieces mixed in and not Tolkien's. I am hoping that the long "editing" time from filming all 3 movies at the same time will allow Jackson the needed self-reflection to make the 2nd & 3rd films much better than the first (as was the case in the LotR series)

I thought nothing could match the original Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but I am glad to say I was wrong. Loved this film from start to finish. I purchased the original Theatrical Release and then purchased this Extended Edition on day one of it's release. If you enjoy Special Features this is the version for you as it contains 9 hrs plus of Special Features. If you're really a fan, you should also purchase the Theatric Version for it's Video Blogs. Blu-ray quality for both video and audio are excellent ... as expected.

Found a friend of mine had the Extended Edition, discovered I wanted to have my own. Was going to wait for a trilogy pack with all three extended editions, but after perusing my friend's EE copy I felt like the likely hood of them adding more extras between now and then would be low. I love the appearance of the slipcase and cover art. The discs are styled the same as my copy of the LOTR extended trilogy pack, so I found that to my liking. After watching the movie on the EE, we didn't really notice any additional scenes. It merely felt like some had longer cuts with some reaction shots and the such. The most notable was the Goblin King's song in the mountain stronghold. It was way longer. Well worth the sale price for my collector self.

The movie closely follows the book, there are a few deviations and additions not found in the book but I think you'll live with them. Overall the movie is great and speaks well for being a prequel to the Lord of the Rings movie/book. If ever a movie was made for 3D it was this one. I would recommend this to anyone with a 3D player and TV. This movie is a must have and I would encourage everyone to add it to their collection. The extended edition is much more valuable and worth the extra movie time.

It's easy to get caught up in the battle scenes, although the dwarfish songs are a bit hokey. Lots of new characters and enemies to foil, many familiar faces return, and many new allies made. The sets are vast, detailed, and epic. It is difficult to tell whether things are CG or real. The acting by all the characters is solid and the protagonist, the hobbit, is in many respects the most "human" of them all. The disc came with quite a few extras and long featurettes, but they could have packed in some more.