From the smallest beginnings come the greatest legends.

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Ken Stott, Ian Holm, Graham McTavish, Aidan Turner, Dean O-Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Ccallen, Peter Hambleton, William Kircher, Cate Blanchett

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead." - Gandalf

Why watch this? It's a cinematic return to Middle Earth.

Plot Summary: In this fantasy adventure, a home-loving hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is recruited by the wizard Gandalf to join a company of thirteen dwarves on a quest. They embark on a perilous journey across treacherous lands to reclaim the dwarves' lost kingdom from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo must find the courage he never knew he had while facing orcs, goblins, and a creature named Gollum.

Dad's Preview: This film was originally planned as a two-film adaptation of Tolkien's The Hobbit (1937), and Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy (2004)) was slated to direct. As things will happen, del Toro exited the project and Peter Jackson took over as director. The result is a film that divided critics. There is a lot to like: Freeman is excellent as Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen returns as Galdalf, the ending is the film's strongest segment. However, there are some negatives, too. It feels rushed, probably a result of Jackson stepping in to direct at the last minute. The opening of the film, where the dwarfs gather at Bilbo's house, is overtly silly and just too long, as is the film as a whole. Tolkien purists will probably be in their glory here, but as a casual film-goer, I expected more from the same team that gave us the amazing original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films; Warner Bros. Pics