The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Cut: DVD Review

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Cut: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Entertainment

For some, an extended cut of the first Hobbit movie is something akin to torture. For those who love Jackson's deep dive into Middle Earth though, it's to be welcomed as much as a second breakfast.

Everyone knows the story of the Hobbit, so let's skip over that and just say that this cut adds in 13 minutes of footage which was dropped - including more dwarves singing. It's ok, but nothing sensational and there really is the feeling that Peter Jackson put in as much as he could into the main body of the film and there was little left over.

However, the greatest addition part of this 5 disc set is the appendices which chronicle the making of the film and these are a real insight into a production from inception to final birth on the screen. These are essential viewing for anyone who's ever been interested in making movies and also for the fans of this series - Jackson's released these kinds of docos before with King Kong but the scope of them this time around is greatly rewarding and worth the price of the set alone.

A final disc goes back to Middle Earth and discusses the characters within- another greatly expanded piece for completists.

All in all, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Cut set is a must own for any one serious about either Middle Earth or film-making in general.

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