Major Actors: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Kate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch
Rating: PG-13
Best Audience: All audiences (perhaps above 8 years old)
Review:
I am a huge, huge Lord of the Rings fan. I had previoiusly posted about The Hobbit here when I found out the book would be divided into three films. I absolutely loved this film. However, as a fan of the books, I must say there were some glaring, unnecessary additions. The #1 thing Peter Jackson (the director) just completely made up was the "Pale Orc," Azog's character. Azog existed in Tolkein, but his character died long before the Hobbit is set. I'm assuming Jackson felt he needed a stronger villain for the first film. This is one of the perils of dividing the films: the main villains don't come into the story until later. Although we met Smaug and the Necromancer, Jackson probably felt they didn't have a big enough role in the first part of the story and needed someone stronger. This addition certainly would not have happened if he hadn't divided the book into three films. Also, as my brother Daniel pointed out to me, for a movie called "The Hobbit," it sure focused mostly on the dwarves. However, despite the additions and division, I absolutely loved the Hobbit. It's exciting and fun.
