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THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEYMovie Reviews
Fantasy adventure about Bilbo Baggins' epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Cast:Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugo Weaving, Martin Freeman, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Billy Connolly, Andy Serkis, Lee Pace, Ian Holm, Aidan Turner, Mikael Persbrandt, James NesbittDirector:Peter JacksonRelease Date:December 14, 2012DVD Release:March 19, 2013From:Warner Bros.Rating:PG-13Length:2 hr 40 minIn 3D
MARCH 19, 2013
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Good (Not Great) Reviews
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey played to good not great reviews. • Claudia Puig wrote in USA Today, "...while the production design is impeccable and the journey intermittently involving, the film is overlong and lacks the enchantment of the 'Lord of the Rings' films." • And Tom Long wrote in the Detroit News, "Once it gets going, it goes pretty well." More Reviews Below...
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Positive Reviews (51 Reviews, reviews below)
Richard Corliss, Time: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...the movie lacks majesty. Grand in parts, it is too often grandiose or grandiloquent; and the running time is indefensible.... a scrupulous rendering..."(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,621 words, 12/07/12
David Germain, Associated Press: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The result is some eye candy that truly dazzles and some that utterly distracts... It's overstuffed with, well, stuff.... There's just not that much story to Tolkien's 'Hobbit'..."(See all of David Germain's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 984 words, 12/06/12
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: EXCELLENT(cg) "...from the minute Gollum's two big round pale eyes meet Bilbo's -- and ours -- the film gets a second wind that lofts this chapter to the finish line."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 641 words, 12/13/12
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "What saves the day is the spidery, schizoid Gollum, again performed by the great Andy Serkis through the craft of motion capture."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 480 words, 12/14/12
Claudia Puig, USA Today: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...while the production design is impeccable and the journey intermittently involving, the film is overlong and lacks the enchantment of the 'Lord of the Rings' films."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 578 words, 12/12/12
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: VERY GOOD(cg) "...it's not definitive Tolkien, but Tolkien as filtered through Peter Jackson. It's grand cinema and fills in the gap of exploring Bilbo's previously unfilmed 'great adventure.' "(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,389 words, 12/10/12
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: POOR "...overscale and plodding.... the shiny hyper-reality robs Middle-earth of some of its misty, archaic atmosphere, turning it into a gaudy high-definition tourist attraction."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,033 words, 12/14/12
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "This return to Middle-earth has many charms, to be sure. But by lifting the veil of fantasy, Jackson has stripped his own work of its transportive magic."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 504 words, 12/13/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...solid and acceptable instead of soaring and exceptional... unnecessarily hampered in its quest to reach the magical heights of the trilogy."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,027 words, 12/13/12
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...rewarding, if long-winded... will be most fully appreciated by those who think the most important thing about an adaptation is religious fidelity to the text..."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 687 words, 12/13/12
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...moderately engaging... in the 48 format resembles an incredibly high-definition simulcast of 'The Metropolitan Opera Live from Middle-earth.' I hate it."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 496 words, 12/13/12
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a fantasy-film cornucopia, with mythical creatures and grand battles woven into an old-fashioned adventure-narrative -- exactly what Jackson does best."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 401 words, 12/13/12
David Edelstein, New York Magazine: FAIR "How nice it would be to weigh in on the film without having to lament its newfangled double-speed 3-D 48-frames-per-second projection... Signs of bloat are everywhere."(See all of David Edelstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 333 words, 12/10/12
Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times: MODERATE(cg) "...feels as if we're looking at the rough cut of a beautiful film in which nearly every scene needs to be trimmed... [still,] the visuals are gorgeous."(See all of Richard Roeper's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 826 words, 12/14/12
Scott Foundas, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...feels distinctly like a members-only affair. It's self-conscious monument art, but is the monument to Tolkien or to Jackson?... executed at an exceptional level of craft."(See all of Scott Foundas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,249 words, 12/07/12
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: VERY GOOD(cg) "...worthy of both your attention and of the Tolkien legendarium in which Jackson, his actors and his Weta Workshop technical crew are so firmly situated."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,054 words, 12/14/12
Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe & Mail: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Once you get over studying the architectural detailing of Bilbo Baggins's cozy hobbit hole, you can begin to care about the story."(See all of Liam Lacey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 787 words, 12/14/12
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Jackson returns to the world of 'The Lord Of The Rings' to cram in every last conversation, song and footnote in J.R.R. Tolkien's text."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 177 words, 12/13/12
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: MODERATE(cg) "...bloated and blustery... One thing the movie is not is a celebration of the beauty of film. A celebration of video-game realms, perhaps."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 787 words, 12/14/12
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: MODERATE(cg) "Jackson's return to Middle-earth is a long slog to nowhere.... You shouldn't be able to read a book faster than you can see it play out on-screen."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 644 words, 12/13/12
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "There are sights to make your jaw hit the floor, but there's hardly any mystery. That hurts more than you'd think.... the film unfolds almost exactly as expected."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,201 words, 12/13/12
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: VERY GOOD(cg) "Bilbo never thinks of himself as heroic - just a person doing his duty, and standing by his friends. And, of course, that makes him the greatest hero of all."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 782 words, 12/13/12
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: POOR(cg) "One of the big disappointments of the year... a massive, overblown, under-plotted bore.... Too many CGI battle scenes and not enough hobbit."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 48 words, 12/14/12
Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "Though at two hours, 50 minutes it feels overstuffed, the first 'Hobbit' film holds its own thanks to inspired acting and some jaw-dropping technical innovations."(See all of Mary Ann Gwinn's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 524 words, 12/13/12
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: VERY GOOD(cg) "...has moments when the caravan seems both overstuffed and out of balance, but it's such a scenic trip that only a stubborn homebody could complain."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 463 words, 12/14/12
Colette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...downright funny.... Much of the credit for its humor goes to Martin Freeman's smart and engaging performance as Bilbo Baggins."(See all of Colette Bancroft's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 629 words, 12/13/12
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: VERY GOOD(cg) "...one of the most beautiful fantasy films ever made.... it's a new way to watch movies and a new take on a universe that seemed to have exhausted its narrative possibilities."(See all of Rene Rodriguez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 557 words, 12/13/12
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (11 Reviews)
Scott Foundas, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...feels distinctly like a members-only affair. It's self-conscious monument art, but is the monument to Tolkien or to Jackson?... executed at an exceptional level of craft."(See all of Scott Foundas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,249 words, 12/07/12
Katey Rich, Cinema Blend: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a comfortable little adventure -- and an even better one if you can convince yourself to stop comparing it to 'Lord of the Rings'.... Peter Jackson still has a knack..."(See all of Katey Rich's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 769 words, 12/03/12
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...some of the action sequences will amaze even the jaded, like one in an underground goblin city that combines Jackie Chan with 'The Temple of Doom.' "(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 378 words, 12/13/12
Tasha Robinson, AV Club: GOOD(cg) "...its attempts to fuse Tolkien's classic material with more modern story beats make this film feel more like a 'Harry Potter' installment than another 'Rings' movie."(See all of Tasha Robinson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,417 words, 12/13/12
Shawn Adler, Movieline: GOOD(cg) "Jackson brings a plain earnestness to the material which matches Tolkien's direct and straightforward narrative voice... returning to Middle Earth feels right."(See all of Shawn Adler's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 913 words, 12/04/12
Ed Gonzalez, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "Middle Earth is no longer a place that seems out of reach, but one that exists right outside our doors, practically a virtual reality. And yet, I'm still glad to be here."(See all of Ed Gonzalez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 856 words, 12/08/12
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Jackson returns to the world of 'The Lord Of The Rings' to cram in every last conversation, song and footnote in J.R.R. Tolkien's text."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 177 words, 12/13/12
Curt Holman, Atlanta Creative Loafing: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...at once spectacular and unsatisfying. Some scenes prove thoroughly ill-conceived, while others genuinely transport viewers to a mystical realm."(See all of Curt Holman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 773 words, 12/12/12
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: MODERATE(cg) "There's nothing urgent about this, and no amount of lurching from action setpiece to action setpiece can make us feel an urgency that isn't there."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,437 words, 12/10/12
HIGHBROW PRESS (7 Reviews)
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD "...the good stuff here is amazingly good.... Gollum is back in all his scrofulous glory... An overlong adventure enlivened by wonders."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 725 words, 12/14/12
A.O. Scott, New York Times: POOR "...overscale and plodding.... the shiny hyper-reality robs Middle-earth of some of its misty, archaic atmosphere, turning it into a gaudy high-definition tourist attraction."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,033 words, 12/14/12
Anthony Lane, New Yorker: GOOD "...has many thrills, and rather too many spills, but it never sheds its bouquet of mere moonshine.... on balance, honor has been done to Tolkien..."(See all of Anthony Lane's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 678 words, 12/10/12
Bob Mondello, NPR: GOOD "...even if it's mostly technology this time rather than story that's providing the depth, there is a new feel to reckon with... Jackson takes to 3-D like an orc to battle..."(See all of Bob Mondello's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 702 words, 12/13/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...solid and acceptable instead of soaring and exceptional... unnecessarily hampered in its quest to reach the magical heights of the trilogy."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,027 words, 12/13/12
Dana Stevens, Slate: FAIR "...vastly overestimates its audience's need to witness every micro-bump in the road to Erebor. It provides service for the hardcore, but no foothold for the casual fan."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,154 words, 12/07/12
Peter Debruge, Daily Variety: MODERATE "...doesn't offer nearly enough novelty... everything takes on an overblown, artificial quality in which the phoniness of the sets and costumes becomes obvious..."(See all of Peter Debruge's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,221 words, 12/03/12
Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "There has almost certainly never been an adaptation of a novel more studiously, scrupulously and strenuously faithful... however, it's also a bit of a slog..."(See all of Todd McCarthy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,339 words, 12/03/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...solid and acceptable instead of soaring and exceptional... unnecessarily hampered in its quest to reach the magical heights of the trilogy."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,027 words, 12/13/12
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: VERY GOOD(cg) "...decent but ultimately unexciting... despite plenty of actionful events, the narrative lacks the momentum that any of the segments of 'Lord of the Ring' had."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 614 words, 12/05/12
A.O. Scott, New York Times: POOR "...overscale and plodding.... the shiny hyper-reality robs Middle-earth of some of its misty, archaic atmosphere, turning it into a gaudy high-definition tourist attraction."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,033 words, 12/14/12
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD "...the good stuff here is amazingly good.... Gollum is back in all his scrofulous glory... An overlong adventure enlivened by wonders."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 725 words, 12/14/12
16.1 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey's reviews are separated by an average 16.1 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (51 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey's reviews cover 97.9% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 40,382 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 792 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Coverage, Volume & Length (51 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 65.0 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey's reviews on average broke 65.0 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (51 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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