Product ReviewsThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (DVD, 2013, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition)

Good, but a little overwrought

Peter Jackson's 2012 extravaganza of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved "The Hobbit"(An Unexpected Journey") is an epic film worthy of Mr. Jackson's past efforts with the great Tolkien "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy(which I loved)-except it deviates from the book much of the time.
Loyal Tolkien fanatics may grind their teeth at the film's many strayings from the original "Hobbit" story, but I suppose the filmmakers had to expand things considerably to stretch the story out to make 3 separate films- "The Desolation of Smaug" and "There and Back Again" being the next two installments. We see characters in this movie who aren't even mentioned in the book, such as Radagast the Brown, Galadriel, and Saruman the White-characters not mentioned until the LOTR books. But we have to forgive the New Line Cinema folks; they keep the action moving and hold our interest very well. And, altogether, they stick to the main storyline pretty well, most of the time.
"The Hobbit-An Unexpected Journey" is a bit more light-hearted than the LOTR trilogy of 12 years ago, as was the book itself. Several of the actors from those films are present in this film-Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, and Ian Holm reprising his role as "Old" Bilbo...it's almost nostalgic. Anyway, this film is completely enjoyable if you just don't get too sticky about the plot variations. I liked it! 4****Read full review...

no dvd player should be without this movie.

the magic of middle-earth continues! a wonderful story with a lighter touch than lord of the rings - should be suitable for kids in the upper single digits (call it 8+).

i bawl my eyes out every time the eagles arrive - i've been waiting forty years, since i read the book when i was 7yrs old, to see them fly! and the songs are perfect - so beautifully done that i have distinct memories of hearing them as a child (which of course is impossible but you know what i mean).

the special effects are top-flight and the characters develop and evolve from the initial first impressions into people with real depth and facets. even the bad guys and scary scenes, while still scary, have a slightly softened touch (compared, for example, to the hard-core orcs you see in LOTR) that should make them acceptable to a younger audience than LOTR.

it's a wonderful, gentle introduction into the world of middle-earth. as for me, i'm going to buy a ferret just so i can name her Lobelia Sackville-Baggins.Read full review...

Just forget you read the book and take it for what it is.

If you're a die-hard Tolkien fan like I was growing up and read all the books, just don't expect the story to follow like it did in the original story. Of course Peter Jackson had to make it as appealing as he could to all audiences, so you have female hero characters added in that were never in the story, a little love story added in, etc. The CGI can be a little over the top, but if you like that sort of thing then you won't mind. If I had the means to take a great masterpiece like The Hobbit and turn it into a movie, I would have done it much differently and it would've only been 2 parts, not 3. That being said, just go into it forgetting everything you know about the original story and you'll probably like it, like I did.Read full review...

Good Family Movie

It's a great movie to watch with the family. As with "Lord of the Rings", the cinematography, costumes, scenery and music are fabulous. With the Hobbit, the story does feel like there is a lot of filler, no doubt because one small book was stretched out into 3 movies. But it can still be very entertaining, and seeing Gandalf, Galadriel and even Saruman is delightful.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey an anticipated pleasure...4&1/2 stars

As a ringer, I found this installment of the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to be quite delightful...there were a few deviations from the original storyline, but tied in the fate of Middle Earth with the One Ring, and the discovery of it by Bilbo, just as the book denotes. I await the other installments of The Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again with great anticipation. True ringers should appreciate the efforts to see, also, the tie-in with the LOTR movies, and points that couldn't be filled in 2&1/2 hour installments from the previous releases, as time is a commodity one doesn't want to be bored of, and this movie, like all the others is an action-packed thrill ride for any fantasy story lover...Read full review...

awesome product and very good price!

I bought this dvd because it is my favorite movie.Also it is the two disk special edition and has many features and sneak peek from the two next movies.I mostly like the cover because it is shiny everywhere there is silver and gold color and it does not look cheap at all even if the cost is low .So basically the value of the product is bigger than the money.There is nothing I dislike about this product.I would not compare this product to others because it was my first time buying a dvd from e-bay and I consider it unfair for others.Read full review...

Supper Cool

The Hobbit Trilogy is great all 3 Films is wonderfully put together. I just love them.
Thank You . Ronald Berry

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: cool_collectibl...

IF YOU LIKED LOTR, BUY IT

After the first 3 LOTR movies, I thought this may be disappointing. PJ uses a lot of the same filming techniques he used in LOTR and this works well. I never read the Hobbit so I can't say if the storyline is true to the book. But discovering how the characters and situations formed to become the LOTR was the dominant point of interest for me. Although PJ seems to push this formation somewhat. It's nice that the same actors/actresses are used for continuity sake. Overall I liked the movie and would have to say it DID NOT disappoint. I will buy the next 2 installments.Read full review...

Great for the witch craft lover

Got it for my Wife's Collection
I don't get into witch craft...
Having to leave a review to leave "feed back" for the used DVD
on Ebay, she sent it well packed and nicely Neat even with a "thank you" hand written Note, And it states i Have to have 100 Characters for my Review, So if your into Witch Craft and 666 Holly Wood that is Today and worship Satan as the NWO this is for You !! ..Lol all in all its ok, I'll prob watch it too ;)Read full review...

The Hobbit, a start to an awesome tale

Item is great if you are a fan of The Hobbit, gives you everything and a little extra.

The movie itself is very good, it does have some differences to the book, but that can be expected with any book to movie type films.

I personally loved the film and went and saw it twice when it was in theater, which is big for me seeing how I usaully only go to the theaters 3 or 4 times a year. I would say if you get a chance watch ithis film it is overall very good.Read full review...