As I noted in my reviews of Mortal Engines and They shall not grow old, Peter Jackson remains one of my favorite directors. His early work, exemplified by the splatter film Bad Taste, showcased his raw talent and served as a springboard for an impressive career. Foremost among his accomplishments is The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which premiered twenty years ago and was recently released in a UHD 4K box set. These films have aged gracefully and offer enduring viewing pleasure.
Following the success of The Lord of the Rings, discussion immediately turned to adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s earlier Middle-earth novel, The Hobbit. Peter Jackson initially announced that he would produce the film, but not direct. Guillermo del Toro (Hell Boy, Pan’s Labyrinth) was tapped to direct and co-write the screenplay with Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson. Due to protracted development, del Toro eventually departed the project, leading Peter Jackson to assume the role of director. While this initially pleased fans, the question remained: could Jackson recapture the magic a second time?
Originally conceived as a two-part film adaptation, the project evolved into a trilogy. This decision constitutes the most significant issue with the Hobbit trilogy. While The Lord of the Rings trilogy is based on three distinct books, The Hobbit is derived from a single novel. Consequently, the viewing time for all three films exceeds the time required to read the source material (approximately eight hours versus six and a half hours, respectively). The narrative is, undeniably, stretched thin. Furthermore, in typical Jackson fashion, the films feature extended editions, adding approximately twenty minutes to each installment (both theatrical and extended versions are included in this release).
The final result is uneven. The pacing feels sluggish, and despite its visual appeal and production quality, An Unexpected Journey, the first film, proves somewhat tedious. The second installment, The Desolation Of Smaug, fares better, offering improved pacing and a more engaging narrative. However, the trilogy culminates in The Battle of the Five Armies, a war film that, despite being the shortest of the three, feels excessively long, dominated by a drawn-out final battle.
Beyond the extended runtime, the films suffer from other shortcomings. The ensemble cast of dwarves proves difficult to differentiate, lacking the distinct characterizations that defined the heroes of The Lord of the Rings. The initial introduction of the dwarves elicits more annoyance than charm, hindering audience investment in their journey. While Martin Freeman delivers a commendable performance as Bilbo, he lacks the compelling charisma necessary to anchor the entire film series. The actors’ performances are generally adequate, but the direction lacks the nuanced touch that Jackson demonstrated during The Lord of the Rings.
The inclusion of a contrived love story between an elf and a dwarf, absent from the original book, feels particularly jarring and clumsily integrated. The humor feels forced, and the overall tone occasionally veers into childishness. The darkness and emotional depth present in The Lord of the Rings are noticeably absent in The Hobbit.
In contrast, the UHD 4K edition exhibits exceptional quality. Supporting both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, depending on the user’s equipment, the image boasts an average bit rate of 60Mbps, peaking at 90Mbps, resulting in a superior viewing experience compared to streaming platforms. Colors are vibrant and accurate, and black levels are deep and rich. Certain sunset sequences are particularly stunning in UHD 4K. The level of detail is remarkable, creating an almost three-dimensional effect.
Jackson experimented with filming The Hobbit trilogy at 48 frames per second, as opposed to the standard 24, in an effort to create a smoother visual experience for 3D presentations. The UHD edition, however, is presented in the standard 24 frames per second, resulting in a more cinematic aesthetic than the theatrical release, which sometimes exhibited a “soap opera effect.”
The Dolby Atmos sound design is equally impressive, ranking among the best I have encountered. These films provide ample opportunity to showcase a broad sonic spectrum, from the subtle sound of water droplets as Gollum approaches Bilbo to the grand, epic battles involving thousands of combatants. The audio is consistently clear and impactful.
Unfortunately, as with The Lord of the Rings UHD 4K edition, extra material is absent. This is understandable, given the considerable length of the films and the limited storage capacity of the discs. However, considering the premium price of the box set, the inclusion of additional discs containing bonus content would have been appreciated. Its absence feels somewhat stingy and suggests that such content may be reserved for a future “mega-ultimate-edition” release.
In conclusion, while I have expressed several criticisms of The Hobbit trilogy in UHD 4K, there are redeeming qualities that make it worth watching. Although it never reaches the heights of The Lord of the Rings, I can still recommend The Hobbit trilogy, particularly in this exquisite UHD edition, as a worthwhile addition to any collection alongside its predecessor.
