The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, released in 2012, follows the adventurous journey of Bilbo Baggins as he sets out with Gandalf and a group of dwarves to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, they encounter various challenges, including treacherous landscapes, dangerous creatures, and the mysterious Gollum. As Bilbo discovers his courage and resourcefulness, he becomes an integral part of the quest, ultimately shaping the destiny of Middle-earth. Filled with stunning visuals, epic battles, and heartwarming moments, this film sets the stage for the captivating trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey received a mix of critical reviews upon its release. While some praised the visual effects and the performance of Ian McKellen as Gandalf, others criticized the pacing and the decision to split the relatively short novel into three films. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating of 64%, with the consensus stating 'Though perhaps more loyal to the source material than some may like, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is still a rousing, beautifully designed, and often funny adventure.' On IMDb, the film has a rating of 7.8/10, with users appreciating the world-building and the return to Middle-earth. Metacritic rated it 58/100, highlighting both the spectacle and the extended runtime as points of contention. Overall, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey offers a visually captivating start to a beloved epic tale, but may not please purists of the original novel.