In a holiday movie season filled with controversies, one of the biggest has surrounded the latest Peter Jackson directed homage to the J.R.R. Tolkien legend, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. One complaint is that Jackson shot his film at a higher frames per second rate, which renders the print clear to the point of looking like a video tape. Many have argued that it looks too clear and bright, losing the subtlety of film and rendering the sets cheap looking and swift movements choppy. Did I find these criticisms valid? Darned if I know. I went to see The Hobbit prepared to discuss the whole 48 frames per second broo-ha-ha, but it ended up that, in spite of the extra scratch I spent to see it it in IMAX 3D, it was still projected in the traditional 24 fps format. More on that at the end.
The more pertinent complaint many have is that Jackson has taken what is a rather modest book and stretched it out into a three film saga, like his Lord of the Rings trilogy from a decade ago (the two sequels will come out in succession in 2013 and '14). But back then he actually had three separate novels to work from, and some at the time complained that he cut too much out, focusing on the action and omitting much of the whimsy of the source material. Here he's padded the story with episodes that appear in other short stories about Middle Earth written by Tolkien. Never having read, to my admitted shame, any of it I didn't notice the difference. But in a way this was a happy fault, because I simply enjoyed the ride, and appreciated the little lessons sandwiched in between the orc, troll and goblin attacks, without worrying about how it matched up to the book.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman playing the younger Bilbo), a prosperous hobbit who has grown complacent and comfortable with his solitary life and routine. This is all turned upside down when the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen, reprising his role from the Rings series) pushes him to venture beyond the bucolic shire and into an adventure. The quest is to recapture the homeland of the dwarfs which is presently occupied by a dragon. The fire breather jealously guards an enormous stash of gold that once belonged to the dwarfs. Bilbo is the last one anyone would imagine as the adventurous type; he's obsessed with his dishes and doilies, and keeping his well stocked pantry in order. Gandalf sees something in him though and is convinced that he's just the hobbit for the job of burglar, even though Bilbo hasn't ever stolen a thing in his life.
Bilbo is not the only one who doubts he belongs on this quest. Thorin (Richard Armitage), leader of the 13 dwarfs, and rightful dwarf king, is none too pleased at having this inexperienced homebody as a part of his group. When the mystical elf Galadriel (Kate Blanchett, another hold over from The Rings, along with Christopher Lee who plays the wizard Saruman), asks Gandalf why he chose the "halfling" for such a dangerous mission, he relies,
"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay... small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid and he gives me courage."
In this quiet moment from an otherwise busy adventure fantasy we see the Catholic sensibility that Tolkien brought to his stories. Gandalf here encapsulates both the Beatitudes of Jesus and the Little Way of St. Therese of Lisieux. Jesus turns the notions of the world on their heads; it is the meek who will inherit the earth, those who weep who shall laugh, and the poor who shall inherit the Kingdom. Jesus uses those the world considers weak to shame the strong, and before this first part is over Bilbo does exactly that.
This simple line of Gandalf's also reminded me of the Little Flower, who sought holiness in the little things she had to do. It is by doing the small, seemingly insignificant, things faithfully that we become saints. It is by daily fidelity and acts of charity, especially to those who may annoy us or when we least feel like it, that gives the real opportunities to grow close to God. When this simple love is the guiding principle of our lives darkness doesn't stand a chance.
Speaking of darkness, we also see our old friend Gollum, along with his infernal ring (Andy Serkis, again via computer wizardry). We need to remember that The Hobbit actually takes place before The Lord of the Rings trilogy. No one knows how that mysterious trinket will play into things yet, but you get the idea that Gandolf knows it's no good.
As I wrote at the start, I saw The Hobbit in the standard 24 frames per second format. Even so, the print did seem clearer and brighter than normal which for the most part was a plus, since the 3D glasses tend to dim the screen. There was a problem though in scenes with great contrasts of shadow and light; the brights were glaring, rendering the images overexposed. Also, at the beginning I did notice a certain blurriness when objects were moving fast. As the movie went on I noticed it less and less. Whether it was my eyes adjusting or the images were meant to be a bit obscured, I don't know. If it was like this in the standard format I'm guessing the pluses and minuses will only be amplified at 48 fps.
In the end, a big endorsement. I left the theater excited like when I was a kid, which doesn't happen that much anymore. I'm not going to recommend a format, though for me the IMAX didn't really add much (which I thought it did for the latest James Bond movie). If you haven't read the book I hope this encourages you do so (I am right now). If you have, try to put the book out of your head and just judge it for what it is and not for what it isn't.
There is a whole other theme to explore, on spiritual warfare, that is pertinent to our spiritual life. I'll get back to that at a later time. Until then, enjoy what is left of this Christmas Time, and may you all have a blessed and prosperous New Year.
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