The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

By Kaif Sally

For those of us who watched, enjoyed and revered the Lord of the Rings trilogy, where it all began has been a journey into the past we’ve all wanted to take. And a journey it was indeed when MyDeal.lk presented the exclusive premier of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at the Savoy Cinema on Saturday, 15 December 2012. Invitees and a select few who purchased their tickets at 50% off from www.MyDeal.lk made their way to be there to witness a much loved tale in 3D.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins played by Martin Freeman, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of 13 dwarves, led by the legendary warrior Thorin. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever—Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of cleverness and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s ‘precious’ ...a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to imagine.

Directed by Peter Jackson it is the first of a three-part film adaptation of the 1937 novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. This one will be followed by ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ and ‘There and Back Again’, due for theatrical release in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The film itself is full of adventure and wonder characteristics of Jackson coupled with the stunning visuals and special effects. The newer characters are a treat but nothing beats good old Gandalf, the perky Bilbo Baggins and the creature everyone loves to imitate Gollum.

Being a die-hard enthusiast I couldn’t take my eyes off every change-in scene and I watched in child-like wonder at each twist in the tale. It ended all too soon for my liking and I found myself staring into the eyes of Smaug the dragon at the end of the movie a little too longer than necessary, hoping against hope that there was something more. But I and many others like me will have to wait patiently to continue the journey.

All credit must go to MyDeal for screening this exclusive premier and giving fans of the ‘The Hobbit’ novel a chance to witness the movie at the same time as the global premier. And we all wait in anticipation until the story of a little Hobbit with extraordinary courage changed history.