Film review: The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey

The latest instalment in director-producer-screenwriter Peter Jackson's exploration of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien is a mixed affair. Sprightlier than the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, something that's in keeping with the deft style of the source novel, it's enjoyable in a rambunctious, buckle-your-seatbelt way.

But much of the lilting magic that pervades the book has been sacrificed to make way for an amended plot that emphasises mayhem and action. What's more, the 3-D film was made using a new technique that boosts the frame rate of film cameras from 24 frames per second to 48 frames per second. The result is a razor-sharp image that may not be to everyone's liking.

First published in 1937, The Hobbit introduced readers to Middle Earth, the world of The Lord of the Rings, and laid the foundations for the trilogy that followed. But it's also a charming work in its own right. Like Rings, it's a quest, this time undertaken by Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), a genial hobbit who is chosen by wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to help some wandering dwarves reclaim their mountain home from a dragon.

As Bilbo makes his way through towards the dragon's lair, he encounters places like the elvish Rivendell and creatures like the popular Gollum. As the quest progresses, it becomes evident that all is not well in Middle Earth: a dark shadow has fallen upon it.