The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Reviews
Film Racket
The odd thing about the saying "too much of a good thing" is that it acknowledges the fact that, something, in general, is composed of an overabundance of excellence.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
We Got This Covered
The Hobbit may not be as memorable as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it's a mostly faithful adaptation that sticks to the same tones and themes of the source material.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
Cinema Sight
It's a journey that any fan of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy should enjoy.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/4
KC Active
If Jackson had focused simply on Bilbo's party and their attempts to get a proper homeland for the dwarves, 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' would have been a leaner, more engaging tale.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
PopMatters
As it stands, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a thoroughly engaging, often rip-roaring, old school yarn. It's got scope, excitement, and above all, emotional heft.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Whenever this movie suffers from lengthy prequel-itis and a weighty sense of expectations, it falls short. Still, for much of its 165 minutes, this epic has enough small moments and deft touches that it tugs you along with the power of a good story.
Fan The Fire
An Unexpected Journey offers an unparalleled visual spectacle
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Cinema Writer
a drag-down, mildly diverting entertainment
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
2UE That Movie Show
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey had me with the dulcet melancholy of displaced Dwarves, yearning to be home.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
The Standard
Slower out of the gates than a three-legged donkey... but it gets better, and fans won't mind this slowburn beginning because, hey, it's Middle Earth.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
MediaMikes
...a jaw-dropping visual carnival courtesy of Peter Jackson and company!
Full Review
| Original Score: 4.5/5
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Very, very (very) slow in the early going, but Peter Jackson does get there (eventually).
Full Review
| Original Score: B+
Film and Felt
Should more than satisfactorily scratch the itch of those who have waited many long years to see Middle Earth back on screen.
Full Review
| Original Score: 76/100
Matt's Movie Reviews
A marvel of filmmaking wizardry and engrossing adventure storytelling, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey marks another triumph by director Peter Jackson who once again takes J.R. Tolkien's words and brings them to life with skilful, passionate expertise.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4.5/5
The Mercury
THE Hobbit occupies that same awkward spot in popular cinema as the Twilight movies in terms of balancing good cinema against fan-service.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Mania.com
"Disappointing" isn't the same thing as "bad."
Full Review
| Original Score: B
Illinois Times
A vibrant vision but a long slog.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.0/4.0
OK! Magazine
Like the sad, bug-eyed Gollum, moviegoers may not have realized how much they missed movies like this onscreen in the past several years.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/4
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
The absolute highlight: the return of Andy Serkis, master of motion-capture performance, as the scary, disturbing, pathetic Gollum.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
The Popcorn Junkie
A wild and visually stunning quest through a fantasy world all done with the noble spirit of courage and goodwill.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4.5/5
