‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ Blu-ray and DVD Review

The Hobbit Movie Blu-ray review
WILLIAM KIRCHER as Bifur, GRAHAM McTAVISH as Dwalin, MARTIN FREEMAN as Bilbo Baggins, JAMES NESBITT as Bofur and JOHN CALLEN as Oin in the fantasy adventure “THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), released by Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM. Photo by James Fisher

Warner Home Video is releasing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Blu-ray Combo Pack and 2-Disc DVD on March 19, 2013, with over two hours of bonus material. The first of a planned trilogy of films featuring hobbits, elves, dwarfs, wizards, and other Middle Earth creatures, The Hobbit on home video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the project. The ‘Making Of’ material is extensive – as expected with a Peter Jackson film – although a good deal of it is material we’ve seen posted on the internet during the production of the movies.

Visually, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey makes the leap to home video with the colors just as vibrant as on theater screens. As the theatrical release didn’t benefit from the use of 3D, the lack of the format on the Blu-ray and DVD makes little to no difference in whether Hobbit fans will enjoy the movie equally well on home video as they did in theaters.

And while the bonus material is a bit lacking (if you’re into behind-the-scenes content, you’ve probably already seen it online), there is 130 minutes of material included on all editions of the home video release. “New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth” is one of the better features, exploring the physical location of the sets with interviews with cast members and crew. The other videos examine different aspects of The Hobbit shoot with inside details on the sets, the costumes, the characters, and the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Hobbit.

For those willing to wait a while, Jackson will be releasing a The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition during the holidays with additional footage. And for Hobbit fans who are anxiously anticipating The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, anyone who purchases the Blu-ray or DVD will have access to register to be part of the special live online event on March 24, 2013 hosted by Peter Jackson showcasing material from the second film of the trilogy.

-By Rebecca Murray

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