By Alexander Wood

A familiar tune echoes in the sweeping hills and valleys of Middle-earth as the forces of dark and light make themselves known to a group of weary warriors. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit from the Shire, is an unlikely and reluctant addition to a band of thirteen dwarfs that march to reclaim their homelands and secure the treasure hidden within. Following the journey of Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and the dwarfs, the film thrusts viewers into idyllic and monstrous landscapes while instilling a type of captivating mythos that lovers of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy understand all too well. ‘The Hobbit’ precedes the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, providing the histories of the characters , landscapes and weapons that would of remained unknown to viewers who have not read J.R.R Tolkien’s iconic works of literature.

Visually, the film is stunning and brings audiences into a magic world that offers shots of great beauty and hardship for those contained within its grasp. Captivating crane-shots paint a vivid depiction of the landscape as well as situating the characters within it—a small force in the vast supernatural world. The sheer measure of the environment frames the scale of the heroes’ journey as filming once again returns to the New Zealand countryside to capture the exotic world of Middle-earth.

Anyone who has seen the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films knows the importance of setting in creating a mythic—yet believable narrative of a world before our time. Without these shots of the real world transposed into the past, the authenticity and believability of the film would be lost. Part of what makes this film visually striking is the genuine scenery that is not a computer representation – rather a landscape known to the viewer outside the theatre. That being said, the computer-generated images allow the camera to execute shots that would otherwise be deemed impossible. It is the interplay of these elements that create a balance of reality and fantasy, one which is often slowed for the viewer, producing haunting scenes that exist outside the constructs of time.

With a runtime of 169 minutes, the film gradually establishes the narrative, bringing viewers to countless breathtaking locations. The film ebbs and flows between the past and present, providing glimpses into the rich culture and battle history of dwarfs. Over a decade after filming the first ‘Lord of the Rings’, sets are given new life as characters journey to the familiar locales of the Shire and the Elven stronghold of Rivendell. Bilbo Baggins is the group’s expert burglar, and having never stolen anything in his life, he is pushed in to a world of unknowns. Guided by the wise wizard Gandalf, he undergoes a transformational voyage, one which is forged by his desire to save the lives and homeland of others. This path also guides him to the discovery of the magic ‘One Ring’, an occurrence that is pivotal to the entire ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

The familiar sirens’ song of the ring beckons viewers to follow the film into the origins of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. At times the score is uplifting and then delves into haunting melodies that become a character within themselves, manifesting great beauty and evil. The film is a compelling addition to the series however, the division of ‘The Hobbit’ into three separate full-length features might see the narrative spread thin. Taking one work of literature and making it into three films could hinder the pacing and quality of storytelling, but hopefully Peter Jackson is up to the task. As the first step towards a successful trilogy, viewers will hopefully experience enough of Middle-earth’s magic to keep them coming back.

Check out images and posters from the movie here.