BLU-RAY
REVIEW:
THE HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED
JOURNEY
3/17/13
OVERVIEW: “From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), arriving on Digital Download on March 12 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and 2-Disc DVD Special Edition on March 19 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. All disc versions feature UltraViolet and more than 130 minutes of bonus content. The first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” which is nominated for three Academy Awards*, is an epic adventure that immerses audiences once again in the fantastical world of Middle-earth. The March 19 home entertainment release will be followed by an Extended Edition available just in time for the holidays.
In addition, Peter Jackson will host a live first look at “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” the second film in The Hobbit Trilogy, on Sunday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern/Noon Pacific. Content will be streamed live and an edited version will be archived on the Trilogy’s official website. Access to the live event will be limited to holders of an UltraViolet code available by purchasing “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack or 2-Disc Special Edition DVD. Select digital retailers will issue access codes upon purchase of the film. Visit
www.thehobbit.com/sneak for more information.
New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present a WingNut Films Production, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” All three films in “The Hobbit” Trilogy, also including “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” and the final film, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” was released on December 14, 2012, with the second film, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” releasing December 13, 2013, and the third film, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” slated for July 18, 2014.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will be available on 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack
, on 5-Disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack , and on 2-Disc DVD Special Edition. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray, and the theatrical version in standard definition on DVD. The 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in 3D hi-definition on Blu-ray, the theatrical version of the film in 2D high definition on Blu-ray and the theatrical version in standard definition on DVD. The Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and the 2-Disc DVD Special Edition all include UltraViolet, which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and
Blu-ray players.
SYNOPSIS:
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of 13 Dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild, through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins, Orcs and deadly Wargs, as well as a mysterious and sinister figure known only as the Necromancer.
Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the Goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever...Gollum.
Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities...A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
FILM REVIEW:
COld
Bilbo: My dear Frodo, you asked me once if I had told you everything there was to know about my adventures. Well, I can honestly say I've told you the truth, I may not have told you all of it...
And we are off on an adventure once again, Tolkien/Jackson style. Probably the first thing that will hit you, besides the excitement of finally watching another portion of the Tolkien saga, is the visual aspect. I had to wipe my eyes to be sure I was looking at this correctly. It is unlike anything I can remember every seeing in a movie theater. It’s 3D in HD. It will blow your mind and you might or might not like it. Regardless, it might take a little getting used to. It’s almost too realistic looking to the point of distraction. But then again, Middle Earth never looked so good; which of course brings us to the wondrous accomplishments in cinematography. As always, the filming locations, backdrops, camera work, etc. were exemplary and are essential to the success of this franchise. It does account for a large portion of its value. Similarly and also as usual, the makeup, costumes, and special effects were flawless. These elements do transport you to this magical fantasy world that is Middle Earth. And at almost 3 hours long, you will be there for a while. So yes, the movie is long, but the movie is also epic, of course. There is no doubt that Peter Jackson is a master of
epicness.
Gandalf: You'll have a tale or two to tell when you come back.
Bilbo Baggins: You can promise that I will come back?
Gandalf: ...No. And if you do, you will not be the same.
He’s not lying about that! But before we get there, the movie starts out a little slow, kind of like how Fellowship of the Ring starts out. Hang in there though because the action will pick up some, don’t worry. The story itself is good, even though we are only getting the beginning section of the book, so the issue is not necessarily the story. Oops, there’s an issue? For me, yes there is and here is where I will upset many of you either because you will strongly disagree with me or because you will agree with me. This is the first of a three part movie series that will encompass the book. So one way to look at it is to compare it to how Fellowship of the Ring compares to the other two, Two Towers and Return of the King. Ask anyone and they will most probably agree that Fellowship was the weakest of the three films. So, this one, An Unexpected Journey, is the Fellowship of this series, perhaps. Another way to look at it, and this is more accurate as to how I felt after watching the movie, is to compare it to the Star Wars saga. Priscilla does not like it when I compare, but I can’t help it. I was fortunate enough, and I’m old enough to have seen the original Star Wars trilogy in the theater when they came out back in the day. Needless to say I was more than excited when Phantom Menace was being released. Well, if you’ve seen the Star Wars films in that order, then you might agree with me that Episode I leaves you less satisfied compared to the epicness that is Episodes IV, V, and VI. After watching the epicness that is the LOTR trilogy, this one is just . . . okay. It’s not a bad movie, don’t get me wrong, it just has a very tough act to follow. Maybe try to separate it from everything else in your mind . . . make it a standalone movie; that might help. Nonetheless, if you’re a fan of LOTR then you know you’re going to go see the beginning of this new series. Just keep it in perspective.
Review
By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
BLU-RAY:
The film is
presented in 1080P widescreen in a 2.40:1 aspect ration
preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just
flawless.Not only the picture looks great in
this release, also the sound it is good, a 5.1 DTS-HD Master
Audio (48kHz/24bit) in English, Spanish and French that provides a
good complement to the picture. It also includes
English Spanish French
subtitles.
VIDEO:
2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen 1080P
AUDIO:
English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital,
French 5.1 Dolby Digital Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Brazilian Portuguese
Subtitles -
ESDH, Latin Spanish
French Brazilian Portuguese
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Full Suite of Peter Jackson’s Production Videos. Enter Middle-earth of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” as Academy Award-winning Director Peter Jackson takes you behind the scenes, on location and amidst the star-studded cast in a series of video journals that puts you in the forefront of latest in filmmaking with more than two hours of additional content. Highlights of the journals include:
o Start of Production
o Location Scouting
o Filming in 3D
o Post-production Overview
o Wellington World Premiere
DVD disc: Feature film in standard definition
UltraViolet Digital Copy of the film
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