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. READ FULL THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY REVIEW