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Rating: **½
Genre: Mediocre animation based on a great novel MPAA: NR (Gotta be G) Review #: 14 Cast: Directed by...Jules Bass Directed by...Arthur Rankin Jr. Written by...Romeo Muller Written by...J.R.R. Tolkien (novel) John Huston...Gandalf the Grey (voice) Otto Preminger...Elvenking (voice) Cyril Ritchard...Elrond (voice) Brother Theodore...Gollum (voice) Paul Frees...Bombur/Troll #1 (voice) Jack DeLeon...(voice) Don Messick...Balin/Goblin/Lord of the Eagles (voice) John Stephenson (I)...Dori/Great Goblin/Bard (voice) Orson Bean...Bilbo Baggins (voice) Richard Boone...Smaug (voice) Hans Conried...Thorin (voice) |
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Review:
Arguably, J.R.R. Tolkien's opuses (opi?), "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy are some of the most influential books to modern culture. As a direct result of the popularity of these novels, we have role-playing games, sword-and-sorcery movies, tons of games, and lots of good memories. It's only natural that there should be a movie based on them. Here is the first one, made by Rankin-Bass. It's a very good attempt, and very worthy of it's name. We get to see all of Tolkien's characters brought to life on the small screen in loving care. And I'll be the first to admit that this animated version of "The Hobbit" was my first brush with Tolkien's work, and that I still think that it's a great companion to the book. It's also great for kids who are still a few years from discovering the original. The spirit of the original shines through in this version. |
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| I feel that the animation is mediocre, but that's because I have been very, very spoilt by watching too much anime. When you consider that it was made in 1978, it kicks the crap out of Hanna-Barbara Animation, and the only other competition is Disney, which had massive teams of animators and tons of money. This one was made for TV, and so it is excellent (If you don't believe me, than explain why there are commercial breaks). As for Anime? What Anime was there during the 70's? Don't talk to me about "Galaxy Express 999", I'd rather watch "The Hobbit", if it's based entirly on Animation style. The animation in "The Hobbit" is also tons better than the "Living Animation" crap that was used in "The Lord of the Rings". If you don't know what that is, good for you. It's when they film people doing stuff, and then trace it to make a cartoon. It all looks very unnatural and unsettling, and if you ask me, very cheap. |
| "The Hobbit" has some weird eccentricities, however. Watch what happens whenever somebody dies. When one of the spiders dies, it is almost surreal. It's also quite memorable, but only really works for the spiders. When one of the goblins dies, it looks very silly. At the end, after the Battle of Five Armies, they really can't avoid the fact that many of the main characters died in the battle. They even do that scene where Bilbo goes to see Thorin, while he's dying. I thought that they did that scene very well. Actually, the only problem that I really have with the movie is the incredible brevity. It all feels a bit rushed, and they cut a ton out. That can be excused, because they cover all of the important bases, and you really can feel the original in this version. In fact, this version makes a great companion to the original, and I think that it's actually more fun when you read it and hear the voices of these actors in your head, because they are all top-notch. |
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| Whoops! I almost forgot to explain the plot to you! Once, there was a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Like all hobbits, they don't go on adventures, because they cause them to be late for dinner. One day, the great wizard Gandalf shows up on his doorstep, with a group of twelve dwarves. Gandalf wants for Bilbo to be their lucky thirteenth, as they go on a journey to a mountain where a dragon named Smaug lives. The leader of the dwarves, Thorin's grandfather was the "King Under the Mountain", that is, until Smaug came. Now he wants to return and reclaim his grandfather's throne (and his fortune!) Gandalf explains that they need a burglar, and that's where Bilbo comes in. So, they finally convince the little hobbit to go on the greatest adventure of his life. And what an adventure it is! |
| Bilbo meets up with tons of very interesting and colorful characters, such as the terrifying trolls, and the evil goblins. He meets up with isolated elves, and ravenous spiders. The most colorful, however is Gollum. He is very well realized, as he slinks around and hisses about his "precious". Some of the scenes are quite thrilling, like the one where the goblins, riding their giant wolves, are trying to burn Bilbo and co. out of some trees. What's my final verdict? Rent it! If you're already a fan, you wont be disappointed, and if you aren't a fan, maybe watching this movie will make you into one, or at least give you a taste of what you're missing! |
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