The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition (2D) [Blu-Ray]
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage
Release Date: Get The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition on Blu-ray today!
A Review By: Kevin Lovell
Film Rating: 9/10
Disc Rating: 10/10
Plot Summary:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first in Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated trilogy adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The 2D Extended Edition Blu-Ray release (which is the version being reviewed here and pictured above) includes three Blu-Ray discs in addition to an Ultraviolet Digital Copy. Below I have noted what is included on each disc.
(Disc One) The Movie “Extended Edition”
(Disc Two) The Appendices: Part Seven “A Long-Expected Journey: The Chronicles of The Hobbit part 1”
(Disc Three) The Appendices: Part Eight “Return To Middle Earth”
Also, a few additional notes, the Extended Edition of the film is 182 minutes for those who would like to know the exact runtime, and while I can’t give an exact time total, the two appendices discs total almost nine hours of comprehensive behind the scenes footage that will take you deeper into this film than you could ever imagine.
*****
Following the tradition of ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ saga before it, we have now received the deluxe treatment on the first film in the Extended Editions of ‘The Hobbit’. For those wondering, all three films in ‘The Hobbit’ series will indeed receive these deluxe Extended Edition releases with Appendices as Peter Jackson himself confirms on the appendices part seven (disc two of this release).
For those such as me who appreciate continuity in releases of similarity, you will be pleased to know that this Extended Edition Blu-Ray release follows in the tradition of the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition releases in many ways. While it does have a gorgeous and solid exterior case it also includes the standard blu-ray case inside, which is once again a black tinted blu-ray case (as opposed to the standard blue tint on the case) just as the Lord of the Rings extended editions were. The only element I was at all disappointed by in this release was the lack of a booklet similar to those included with the other releases noting the new and extended scenes, though fortunately the scene selection menu on the disc does include these notations.
The extended edition of ‘An Unexpected Journey’ includes a number of new and additional scenes. While it does not include nearly as much additional film footage as the Lord of the Rings films, one can hardly expect it to, and it does include nearly 15 minutes of additional footage worked back into the film once again with all of the detail, precision and exceptional skill utilized in the Extended Editions of the Lord of the Rings. Fans of the series will be quite pleased with a number of these new scenes as a number of them do indeed add some great material that contributes to the story. Even if some of the new footage does seem unnecessary, fortunately the majority does help contribute a healthy amount to the overall film and is overall definitely my preferred version of ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’.
One element of this release that many fans will be exceptionally pleased by, is that the two appendices discs on this release are actually both on Blu-Ray discs this time around. As you may recall, the appendices discs on the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Blu-Ray releases were DVD’s and only the film’s were on Blu-Ray discs, therefore I know there will be many fans out there who will be thrilled about this fact alone. The appendices on ‘The Hobbit’ continue right where the ‘Lord of the Rings’ appendices ended, hence why the first appendices disc is ‘Part Seven’. There is also an introduction to ‘The Appendices’ on Part Seven (Disc Two of this release) by Peter Jackson that should help clear up any confusion in regard to this.
VIDEO:
This Blu-Ray release features a full 1080p High Definition presentation utilizing the film’s original 2.4:1 Cinemascope Aspect Ratio. This is the kind of film and video transfer that really helps you appreciate the format of Blu-Ray. Every single pebble, hair, rock or color is perfectly detailed, sharp and gorgeous. There are no flaws of any sort present on this release, and this is without question one of the most impressive Blu-Ray video presentations I have seen this year. Fans will be absolutely ecstatic about this amazing presentation.
AUDIO:
This release features a lossless 7.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack that will blow you away. Every one of the seven channels is fully utilized and there are far too many moments to count where this lossless 7.1 track is pushed beyond its limits and yet continues to hold up in every single regard. The bass will rock the house in some sequences, and while some moments are properly quiet and calm, the next will have you jumping with the characters on screen simply from the amazing capability this audio track has of perfectly balancing every moment of this lengthy film flawlessly. The fellow audiophiles out there will without question be drooling over this 7.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack.
SYNOPSIS
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first in Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated trilogy adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of 13 Dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild, through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins, Orcs and deadly Wargs, as well as a mysterious and sinister figure known only as the Necromancer.
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 ingenuity and courage that surprise even him; he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities…A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
The screenplay for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson also produced the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.
Film Rating: 9/10
Disc Rating: 10/10
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