DVD The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Peter Jackson's first installment of The Hobbit, Tolkien's relatively slim precursor to the sprawling Rings saga, is a technically impressive but bloated adventure that feels every one of its 169 minutes. Outside the circle of the many Tolkien obsessives, the film is going to strike many as a Rings retread. A hobbit leaves the comforts of hearth and home to join with other denizens of the fantastical Middle-earth to save their land from the clutches of evil -- all under the watchful eye of the good wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen). Oh, and a certain ring makes an appearance. Or, rather, disappearance. It's going to take three movies and nearly nine hours to unravel this tale. Sound familiar? Having said that, there are some absolutely gorgeous sequences -- especially the elaborate chase scene near the end, and anything involving the doleful and desperate Gollum. And there's no denying the homey charm at work in Tolkien's good-versus-evil tale. This alone may be enough for die-hard LOTR fans. On DVD, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray. -- Cary Darling
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