I believe there are two ways to adapt The Hobbit to the big screen. The first, would be a bright, light hearted yarn with a fairy tale tone capturing the essence of the book as it stands on its own. The second way is to tell not simply an adaptation of The Hobbit but the story of Middle-earth. If reading the Hobbit on its own, it does feel and read like a fairy tale but when taken in the context of the larger story Tolkien was telling, there are countless elements at play during that time either only hinted at in the book or revealed later.

I'm not sure we'll ever be able to know which is the better way, but after seeing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey it is clear Jackson is taking the second route and as a fan of Tolkien's masterpiece and Middle-earth I could not be happier.

Martin Freeman creates a Bilbo that is both relatable and heroic. The dwarves are, quite simply, a ton of fun. And of course, Gandalf is perfect.

There are some elements I did not love but (Radagast for example) but it is clear they are part of the bigger picture.

Overall, a great start to what will hopefully be a great trilogy.

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