This teaser trailer though... The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey... has turned movie trailers into an art form. Giving you enough to appreciate what's to come but holding back enough to drive you a little bit mad.
The Hobbit is one of the great tales. Excuse me... There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins is an epic journey that set in motion an even greater adventure. And that's just the book. Peter Jackson brought to life Middle Earth in a way only animation could accomplish. And going back to the release of Fellowship of the Ring, one might have questioned why The Hobbit didn't come first but with the release of this trailer... we now understand why.
In the opening shot of the trailer, we are instantly transported back to Middle Earth, in fact, right where we left off... in The Shire at Bag End.
If memory serves, and if one goes back to the opening of the Fellowship of the Ring, you'll find that Bilbo and Frodo are wearing the exact same clothes that they're wearing in this opening shot. Upon closer inspection you can see that Frodo is carrying a book in his hand.
The first shot we had of Frodo in Fellowship was him in a forest, reading a similar looking book wearing very similar clothes.
So, one nerdy enough presumes that the opening of the film will take place as Frodo is off to his favorite part of the forest to read a good book.
We also get a glimpse of the elder Bilbo sitting down to pen his marvelous adventure. Again, very similar to the introduction of Bilbo in the Fellowship of the Ring.
In a nice bit of movie connectivity, we pick up pretty much where we picked up back in 2001, instantly bringing us back to that homeliest of homes.
Ian Holm returns as Bilbo and, as we remember him, has the look of "butter scraped over too much bread" and very in need of a holiday.
In a blink, we get our first cinematic look of pre-butter Bilbo smoking his pipe-weed. And since Hobbits never do anything unexpected, this is what we expected him to be doing. Nothing finer than pipe-weed.
Ian McKellen is back as Gandalf the Grey and we get a taste of the very first meeting of Bilbo and Gandalf in which an adventure is discussed.
Next up, some shots of Bilbo in and out of his element... riding a pony (out of his element), shopping at HobbitMart, and running somewhere, presumably after his party of dwarves. Is that the famous map he's carrying?
Then we get a little more Bilbotude... concerning his discontent with the idea that he should be anything more than a Hobbit.
"I am a Baggins of Bag End". He is who he is supposed to be and where he is supposed to be it. Again, never anything unexpected.
And then at last, our first look at the Dwarves of Yore. You know, the ones who made mighty spells?
There was much geekticipation over what the 13 Dwarves would look like. Would they look like 13 Gimli's or would Jackson take some liberties and give us an amalgam of bearded folk? As it turns out, it's a little bit of both. Let's meet our Dwarven companions...
First up, Fili...
Sort of a Spicoli lookin fellow, but clearly with some cat-like reflexes.
Then we have, his younger brother Kili...
Kili is the youngest of the 13 and along with Fili, nephew to Thorin.
Next up, Oin...
Either that's an instrument Oin is playing, or he's the dwarf to lose his hearing first. He is also the older brother of...
Gloin. Notice anything familiar. Well you should (if you're a nerd about this sort of thing).
Not only is Gloin the younger brother to Oin, but is also father to Fellowship of the Ring member Gimli.
Then we have Dwalin...
Clearly a mighty and seasoned warrior.
Then we have Balin, older brother to Dwalin and also counsin to Gimli.
Unfortunately, we already know what happens to Balin.
Then there's Bifur...
Gesturing to Gandalf in some manner here. Perhaps telling Gandalf to stick it in Dwarvish. Is there a possibility Bifur can't speak in the film for some reason and this is his manner of communication?
This is Bofur here, brother to Bifur.
This is the sketchy dwarf... maybe the one that sneaks off to Lake Town and sells dwarvish goods on the black market. Perhaps the seedy uncle.
And here's Bombur...
Cousin to Bifor and Bofur, Bombur was fat from the word go and Jackson sticks to the book. Bombur's sort of the loser of the group. Always last, takes up too much space and eventually, according to various Middle Earth Wiki's, ends up even fatter than this so... He's got that going for him.
This is Dori...
His brother Nori...
and their brother Ori.
So it's really a family affair. Each member has a brother on the Quest... 'cept for Bombur of course, who was probably brought out of pity. Bombur is like Zack Galifinakis in the Hangover. He doesn't really belong there but is brought along because he's related to Bifur and Bofur.
And then, the leader of the throng, Thorin Oakenshield. Actually, he's Thorin Oakenshield II, descended from Thrain II and grandson to Thror.
He's also uncle to Fili and Kili if you're up on your Dwarven genealogy. Thorin is younger than most expected but looks to be a worthy leader to reclaim their lost mountain.
And then... The Song.
The song the Dwarves sing to explain the reason for their quest. The song that captivates Bilbo just enough. As Tolkien describes it, "something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go see the great mountains, and hear the pine trees, and the waterfalls... and wear a sword instead of a walking stick".
This is exactly what the song should do for us and I think it pulls it off brilliantly. The tone of the song and the way in which it is sung carries a heavy weight. The trailer goes from Bilbo and his reluctance to the burden the Dwarves are carrying. The enormity of what they are about to attempt is brought out in their voices and with their solemn reactions to singing it. We as viewers should feel that weight and importance of the song and of the Quest and Peter Jackson's version has nailed it. Tolkien describes it as "deep-throated singing of the dwarves, in the deep places of their ancient homes". The filmmakers have captured that description to perfection. This song is what makes the trailer Epic.
Then the most painful part of the trailer...
The grim reminder of just how long we have to wait.
Then we get some shots of Gandalf off on his own, looking around cautiously amongst some ruins.
Stand back, I'm about to Geek.
There's some speculation as to where this happens in the story. First thoughts are that this is a scene in which Gandalf goes to Dol Guldor in search of the Necromancer (the entity known later as Sauron) and of Thrain II, Thorin's father. This takes place before the events of The Hobbit and is described in short by Gandalf upon his arrival at Bag Eng but gone into further detail in the Appendices.
This is a pivotal point in the entire story as Dol Guldor is the place where Gandalf discovers that the Necromancer is actually Sauron, that Sauron has returned to Middle Earth and has taken up residence at Dol Guldor. This sets in motion every decision Galdalf will make from this point forward... including the recruitment of Bilbo.
Moving on.
Here we see Bilbo exploring what is presumably Rivendell. And also coming upon the shards of an ancient sword.
Narsil anyone?
Credits over the map screams Jackson doesn't it? Although, the BBC version of Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe used the same technique back in the 80's... so I guess we can't credit Pete Jack totally.
No, really. Look.
See.
Also in Rivendell, Kate Blanchett's, Galadriel makes an appearance. This is a departure from the book as Galadriel isn't actually in the Book. This lends weight to the idea that the Dwarves quest isn't the only storyline. If we get to see Dol Guldor and Gandalf's discovery of Sauron, then it's safe to assume that Jackson spends time dealing with this revelation.
In the book, Gandalf disappears for most of the second half and he never really explains where he goes. Perhaps we will see the ground work for what will become the War of the Ring.
Another reminder that not only do we have to wait a year for film 1, but a whole 'nother year for The Desolation of Smaug.
Again, Gandalf off on his own. This doesn't happen in the book so we can once more assume that will get to see what Gandalf gets up to before the Quest or once he leaves the Quest. This looks to be a dungeon-y type place and since Gandalf finds Thorin's father Thrain in the dungeons of Dol Guldor, prisoner of the Necromancer... and because this is where Gandalf receives the map and key to Lonely Mountain (which takes place in the book), this is further evidence that we will see this in the movie.
Then a glimpse of a cave where Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves take refuge or rest. Perhaps the cave in which the Trolls treasure is found.
Not only treasure, but Sting... the sword eventually carried by Frodo to the fires of Mount Doom.
Bilbo discovers his sword Sting amongst the troll's plunder, along with Gandalf's sword Glamdring and Thorin's swoard, Orcrist. (NERD ALERT).
Then we see Thorin reminding Gandalf that he isn't Bilbo's babysitter and won't be responsible for what happens to him.
New Zealand standing in once again for Middle Earth.
What a country. Seems like everywhere you go in Kiwitown is a picturesque vista.
Then a look at what seems to be the Dwarves arrival at Rivendell. Elves don't like Dwarves so naturally, there's some friction.
Judging by this, we probably won't hear the elves singing about tra-la-la-lallying or something. Not sure you can turn Tra-la-la-lally into a meaningful song but... we'll see.
More of the Grey Pilgrim's wanderings.
The more you see Gandalf off doing his own thing... ya wonder where this is. But if that's Glamdring, this can't be Dol Guldor. Unless PJack changes it. In other words, Galdalf goes to Dol Guldor long before he finds Glamdring so... curiouser and curiouser.
The lovely Galadriel...
Would ya? I think I would.
More New Middle Zealand Earth.
A proud Bilbo? Proud of what I wonder.
Now more evidence that this is indeed the dungeons of the Necromancer.
In the book, Gandalf describes coming upon Thorin's father Thrain, imprisoned in the dugeons, captured by the Necromancer (Sauron). He describes Thrain as "witless and wandering and had forgotten almost everything", including his own name.
This very well could be Gandalf's encounter with Thrain, witless and wandering and also attacking. He does look like a dwarf and he does look a little witless.There's also speculation that this could be the wizard Radagast the Brown played by Sylvester McCoy. We know Radagast is in the film but we don't know to what context.
The Battle at Trollshaw.
The Company stumbles upon a troll emcampment and clearly, a battle ensues. This will also give us some insight into this scene from the Extended Version of Fellowship of the Rings in which we hear about "Bilbo's trolls"...
It's clear in the book that Bilbo wants very little to do with all that is happening but is dragged along anyway...
"Dawn take you all...
... and be stone to you!"
This is most likely Gandalf stepping in to save the dwarves from the aforementioned trolls, again shedding some light on the previously mentioned "Bilbo's Trolls" episode.
Probably our introduction to the Dwarves arrival at Bag Eng. A departure from the book as it seems they all show up together rather than in small groups.
A confused Bibo. Probably bewildered because thirteen dwarves and a wizard have shown up and are making themselves at home. Perplexed might be a better word.
Here the dwarves are chipping the glasses and cracking the plates cause that's what Bilbo Baggins hates.
It will be interesting to see if this song makes it in. Its a fun moment in the book and by the rhythm of this snippet, they seem to be tossing things around in a rhythmic type motion. So much like the Green Dragon scene in Fellowship where the Hobbits are doin' their singing thing...
...the Dwarves will do the same in this film... only this time inside Bag End rather than the local pub.
Bilbo action shot.
"Can you promise that I will come back?"
"No."
The finding of the Ring. It's funny that we know how much trouble this thing will become yet throughout this story, the Ring is actually a pretty useful tool for Bilbo.
Epic Title Shot.
Riddles in the Dark. Great to see ol' Smeagol back. A very fitting ending as this encounter will have quite a ripple effect.
And the final reminder of how long we have to wait.
One year. A little less actually but... one year. That's how long we have to wait. But this trailer is undeniable proof that it will be worth the wait. This will be the best film of 2012. And that's saying a lot considering the kind of movie year 2012 is bound to be.
Well done Mr. Jackson. Well done.
