A blissfully charming voyage!

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Ian Holm, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman, Hugo Weaving, Ian Mckellen, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood and Richard Armitage.

Rating: 3.5

After the cinematic triumph of Lord Of The Rings trilogy, director Peter Jackson is back with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey based on Tolkien’s children’s book into a three-part on a related extent.

The film successfully set free numerous elements with unusual direction, funny scenes, thrilling action, misery, and excellent acting.

When the dwarves start to encounter threats on their travels, from trolls, giants, orcs, goblins and Gollum, the movie unearth excitement.

Martin Freeman formulated a compassionately humble hero out of Bilbo Baggins who is daringly plucked out of murkiness by Gandalf the Wizard- an outstanding performance by Ian McKellen all over again.

Bilbo’s job is to help a quest by 13 dwarves under their warrior-king Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) to win back their underground kingdom who is less than enthused by the news that the villain is a dragon. Andy Serkis shines with his famous scene underground with Bilbo.

The film is a huge technical achievement with state-of-the-art special effects that are astounding. The movie ends with magnificent action sequences that assure a tour de force for the next two films.

Amazingly and impressively the film illustrates New Zealand like its predecessors, it is a visual treat and The Hobbit will boost the tourist industry.

A must watch for the die-hard fans of Lord of the Rings trilogy.