The Hobbit: An Unexpected Adventure | Full Reaction
Added 2025-01-26 18:00:10 +0000 UTCImportant Note: Due to accessibility issues, I decided to watch the theatrical version of this one! Hopefully I'll be able to watch the Extended Version eventually. But I wanted to make sure everyone would be able to watch along without having to buy the full movie or possibly not be able to watch at all due to it being blocked in some territories.
I knew going into this that I needed to put all of my expectations aside. And honestly, that was the best way to go into it so thank you all for the warnings! It felt like opening the pages of a bedtime story. One full of wonder, mischief, and a touch of danger. It didn't shy away from the silliness of the dwarves bumbling through Bag End with their melodies and food-tossing antics, but nestled within that whimsy was a promise of deeper things to come.
I think what I loved the most is how it honored the spirit of Tolkien's world. It didn't try to be The Lord of the Rings, and that's what made it so magical. It is the playful song before a great symphony, the celebration of tiny beginnings, and the belief that courage is often found in the unlikeliest of hearts.
Thank you for your support here on Patreon!
Relax and enjoy 🍿🌿
LINK: https://youtu.be/7OkcMK2fOs4
I watched this on HBO Max
Comments
I actually love that you're starting with the Hobbit Trilogy first because timeline wise, it's the correct way to go! 🌿 I hope you enjoy your journey through these beautiful movies!! Let me know how your adventure through Middle Earth goes ✨Also, sorry for any tiny spoilers I give in my outros to the future movies lol.
Kali Wali
2025-03-03 00:02:07 +0000 UTCI've decided to watch these for the 1st time. It might be the wrong way to do it but I'm starting with the Hobit trilogy. I enjoyed it and will continue the journey. Obviously i don't know anything about these movies so it will be fun hearing and learning from you as i go along. As always, love your reaction even though I don't know all that's happening lol
P T
2025-03-02 20:22:22 +0000 UTCloved your reaction and I hope you saw the extended cut by now because there is a lot of the little quiet moments you would love I think. my favorite are the moment between Bilbo and Elrond in Rivendell👌🏻 and more discussions at the table with Saruman, and Gandalf talking to Elrond about Thorin, or Bilbo wandering around Rivendell and see the ring and the broken sword Narsil🗡️ I love it
Noah Schmid
2025-02-26 10:11:05 +0000 UTCI love this deeper dive into Galadriel! I seriously love her character so much.. Thank you for sharing this!
Kali Wali
2025-02-05 18:50:42 +0000 UTCI want to tell you something about the Galadriel. She was born before the first age of this world. Lord of the rings and hobbit movies are set in the third age of this world. Galadriel is 8000 years old in the lord of the rings movies. She is born before the creation of Sun and Moon. Galadriel was born in the land of Valinor, where the Elves of the light lived before coming to Middle-earth. Elrond is 6500 years old in the fellowship of the ring.
Priyesh Raghuwanshi
2025-02-04 20:00:47 +0000 UTCI'll definitely be watching the extended editions for the second and third films! Unfortunately, this first one was a bit wonky with finding the extended edition of it lol
Kali Wali
2025-02-04 15:14:54 +0000 UTCIf possible, pease watch the extended edition of next two hobbit movies because extended editions adds more depth to the story. Please...please....
Priyesh Raghuwanshi
2025-02-04 14:38:50 +0000 UTCI can't watch the movie without hearing different music when Thorn confronts Azog...
Chris Truex
2025-01-29 20:15:28 +0000 UTCHahahahaha. Okay so I finally sat down to watch this and omg. Thank you so much for the laughs and sharing it. I was dying 😂😂😂😂
Kali Wali
2025-01-29 16:55:02 +0000 UTCI agree! It may not be as grand scale as LoTR, but there's still so much charm and depth to it. It's interesting hearing that there were originally only two films planned. I hadn't heard this yet! I can see how Peter Jackson's decision to turn it into a trilogy helped expand it and deepen the story, especially with all of the lore and material from the appendices. I'm always so in awe of how much depth goes into Tolkien's world and I absolutely can't wait to dive into those books. I'm excited to jump into the second and third films! Don't hold me to it yet, but I may try to squeeze it in this weekend for you all depending on how my week goes. Alan Lee's sketchbook sounds incredible and something I'd love to look through! I have so many concept art books from Dark Horse (God of War, Bioware, Mass Effect, etc.) that I love looking through. I was also gifted an amazing replica of Arthur's journal that I've loved flipping through recently! 🤍
Kali Wali
2025-01-29 16:45:14 +0000 UTCThank you for the heads-up! I hadn't heard about this extra detail in the extended version, but it sounds like it adds a huge layer to Thranduil's character and his relationship with the dwarves. That moment between him and Thror in the theatrical version felt like there was definitely something more beneath the surface. I got that a lot from LoTR scenes and it's always awesome hearing that yes, there actually was more to the eye! Don't hold me to it, but I may try to squeeze in the second Hobbit film this week after all if I can get around to it this weekend. I think I'm just dying to get into the books and can't wait any longer haha. My copy of The Hobbit came in (The Illustrated edition) and I cracked it open and almost couldn't stop reading hehe. Very interesting about the connection to the Silmarillion and the War of the Jewels! I can't wait to explore that. It sounds like a crucial part of Middle-earth history that helps explain the tension between the elves and dwarves a bit more. The fact that something so small could lead to such a deep rift really speaks volumes to the complexity of Tolkien's world. Very awesome and thank you for the spoiler warning and insight!
Kali Wali
2025-01-29 16:41:04 +0000 UTCI enjoyed watching this again. I know it's not as big as The Lord of the Rings, but I still love the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. I think there was only supposed to be 2 movies to begin with, but Peter Jackson decided to turn it into a trilogy, and most of the three movies were inspired by the appendices to The Lord of the Rings. I'm looking forward to your reaction to the second and third film. I prefer watching the Extended Edition, but I'm also happy with whichever you decide. 😊 Also, awesome gifts, BTW! I've got my own collection of Thr Lord of the Rings books. Besides the novels, my favorite is the sketchbook by Alan Lee.
Will Castillo
2025-01-29 15:21:36 +0000 UTCOld me totally forgot one thing. If you havent seen the extended edition yet be aware there is a minor spoiler following up to what Peter Jackson thinks is the reason for the rift. I wont go into detail cause it will be told in detail in the Silmarillion. You might remember the scene when Thranduil, the Wood Elf King, visited Erebor and King Thror in the theatrical edition. In the extended edition Thror shows Thranduil a small chest full of Diamonds and Jewelry. Thranduil is shocked and eager to get his hands on it because the jewelry is very special to him and all elvenkind but Thror denies him as Thranduil reaches for it. That btw is also the reason the Elves didnt help when Smaug attacked Erebor. The Silmarillion will explain what that jewelry is and why it is so important but many Tolkien Fans think the story behind it is the reason for the rift. Which is known as the War of the Jewels.
Curaitis
2025-01-29 15:12:46 +0000 UTCLOL I'll check this out!
Kali Wali
2025-01-29 02:21:27 +0000 UTCI totally feel you! I couldn't imagine going into the theatre expecting another LoTR quality and getting this. I would be so upset.. But I suppose looking at it like the books were meant to be (The Hobbit for children, LoTR for more depth) it really makes more sense this way! With that said, I do feel like if they put the same amount of love and effort into these that they did with LoTR it would have been beautiful and amazing. And it's a shame that it didn't end up going down that way.
Kali Wali
2025-01-29 02:21:14 +0000 UTCAhh very interesting and honestly kind of awesome that Tolkien left the rift between the Elves and Dwarfs up to interpretation. I love that and feel like it makes it more immersive that way? haha So crazy that some of us have access to the Theatrical but not the Extended or vice versa! I'll stick to the extendeds for the rest since I have access to them on HBO. But someone else mentioned they only had one version and not the other lol.
Kali Wali
2025-01-29 02:18:53 +0000 UTCQuite late to the reaction and i dont have much more to say what others already have written just one short answer to your question about the rift between Elves and Dwarfs. Their is no real answer to it because Tolkien never gave a definite explaination. I could write you a long text to it which would give you a probable answer but it would completely blow up this comment. So short answer, there is no explaination. If you ask me, it was either the hunting of the petty dwarfs or the War of the Jewels. Neither of them will tell you anything yet but it will when you are finished with the Silmarillion and you if you remember it. Anyway, great reaction Kali. Little sidenote, i had to buy the the theatrical cut to watch it, haha. Its funny to see the differences between both editions if you only know the extended edition.
Curaitis
2025-01-28 19:50:45 +0000 UTCOh, and Kali, now that you've seen this film, I encourage you to see the hilarious Auralnauts short that has permanently made me think "Gandarf" every time his name is spoken (no spoilers at all for the other films): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcMkf2iq1Ac
Chris Truex
2025-01-28 06:08:30 +0000 UTCHonestly, I think my problem with the Hobbit trilogy is a lost opportunity. As movies, they're fine! They're fun, a lot of good scenes. Some fantastic casting, great scenery. In many ways it captures the more... fairy-tale, storybook tone of The Hobbit book. But they also tried to make it like LOTR... and it's not. It's kind of stuck in the middle. Plus a lot of things where they clearly thought "this would be a cool action scene" without really thinking about how it fit in with the story and (not to be a broken record) tone. It's not fair to compare them to a masterpiece trilogy. But I do think a firmer hand at the tiller (and only making two movies, plus some other things I won't mention for spoilers) would really have made this an excellent pair of movies. They had the budget, public excitement, a brilliant cast of actors... and they didn't have the courage to commit to one tone (with a bit of "trilogies make more money" studio greed involved). Honestly, I think you're approaching it correctly. And revisiting them now, knowing what they're like, it's not nearly as bad as being in the theater, expecting another LOTR, and getting very much not that. Regardless, I'm very happy to follow along with your reaction, and with your analysis of the books!
Chris Truex
2025-01-28 04:09:42 +0000 UTCCan't wait for you to get into the books and do your breakdown... sadly I'm not a big reader but LOTR (and the hobbit) was something I just had to read after watching the trilogy for the first time back in early 2000's, even tho it took some time. There is just soo much depth and stories that isn't in the movies. Some big changes when it comes to characters and how were portrayed in the movies. Will be really interesting to see what you think. Sméagol was an easy target for the ring, dude had issues long before the ring came to him.
Rippan
2025-01-27 17:36:14 +0000 UTCHonestly, if people say the extended's are the way to go and you'd prefer to watch those, then just go with them. I can find something else to watch in the meantime.
James Hadden
2025-01-27 16:53:22 +0000 UTCI love this so much. Makes me very excited to finally read it! Harry Potter was that for me during those times, so I totally get it. I haven't read much of Tolkien yet, just a few quotes here and there and seeing the films. But the way they show courage, even in the face of fear and uncertainty, has such a quiet power. So I can imagine how much it must have resonated with you at 18! An awesome reminder that you don't have to be fearless or have everything figured out to step forward. You just need to actually take that step. 🩷
Kali Wali
2025-01-27 16:38:58 +0000 UTCI totally agree! You've perfectly captured so much of what made this movie feel super special to me. There is a cozy, welcoming magic to it that feels just as meaningful as The Lord of the Rings! It's like coming home, only to find that home has a whole new side you've never explored before. And seeing Gandalf in this light was so beautiful and probably my favorite part of the entire journey. I completely agree about the dwarves! I loved getting to know more about their culture, their history, and their camaraderie added sooo much richness to Middle-earth. Gimli was wonderful in LoTR, but seeing an entire company of dwarves all with their own unique personalities and quirks was so great! I looooved Misty Mountains, too! There was something haunting but powerful about their deep, resonant voices. And the way the music wove that theme throughout the entire film gave me chills. New experiences can definitely change us and I'm glad that resonated with you, too! Like Bilbo, we step out of our comfort zones, sometimes unsure and unprepared, only to return with a new perspective and better understanding of ourselves. Definitely what I love the most about taking time to travel for a bit. Even if it's just for the day! Thank you so much for the kind words! I try to approach every story and world with an open heart because I believe there's always something special to discover if you're willing to look for it. Plus, another creator's work always deserves a positive moment to ponder it and try to grasp what they were trying to put into the world. When media is always trying to paint everything black, it's nice to just... simply not do that lol. I'm so glad that comes through and that you're enjoying this journey with me! Your support means everything and I'm super grateful for these moments! Can't wait to dive into the next chapter!
Kali Wali
2025-01-27 16:36:43 +0000 UTCSomething came to mind while reading this what if the forced CGI was the point.. Like as in because it's the story before LOTR maybe they forced it so it's supposed to look like older CGI.. Doubtfuly but we can always hope haha and ofc The hobbit has its own moments that are super funny wholesome and make you want to tear up like with Sebastian the Hedgehog.. And I love your books I recently bought the 60th Anniversary hardback set and it's absolutely phenomenal I just need the Hobbit book and the Silmarillion book 😊 glad to be of assistance ❤️
John Smith
2025-01-27 16:31:23 +0000 UTCAwww, it really stinks that we all have access to different and varying versions! I have access to the next two extended editions, but I'm thinking I'll just go with the theatrical since everyone seems to have access to those. I'll let you know for sure when I start it up again next week :)
Kali Wali
2025-01-27 16:27:14 +0000 UTCThank you so much for this clarification! I got my timelines seriously confused in this one with all the back and forth and trying to remember the call backs from The Lord of the Rings lol. The timeline of the ring's journey is such a fascinating (and tragic) thread that follows through both The Hobbit and LoTR. Deagol finding the ring in the river and Smeagol's immediate descent to murder is chilling.. It really shows the ring corrupts instantly, even before someone has fully grasped it's power. It's really interesting how The Hobbit plans the seed of the larger story, like Gandalf's investigations and Smeagol's capture by Sauron's forces. The way those events trickle into LoTR adds so much more depth to the world. Thank you so much for this breakdown and adding more insight! I love seeing how the pieces fit together and it makes continuing this journey through films (and then onto the books!) that much more exciting.
Kali Wali
2025-01-27 16:25:39 +0000 UTCHahaha, Gandalf really is the ultimate RPG character 😂 Convincing unsuspecting Hobbits to leave their cozy homes, tanking a Balrog for the party, and then respawning 10x stronger as Gandalf the White (obviously farming XP like a pro lol). I'll never look at "Fly, you fools" the same way now and I love it lol. Thank you for pointing Deagol at the start of The Return of the King! You're absolutely right and I for sure got my timlines super crossed there lol. I appreciate you mentioning this and helping me get back on track with that! I was wondering still lol. I also hear you on the CGI! there were moments where the visuals felt more shiny than grounded like LoTR. We were truly spoiled in the amount of detail and time they put into LoTR CGI with all of those practical effects and on-location shots. The shift into this film was a bit jarring seeing the Orcs all glossy and (I hate to say it, but) fake looking. But I still found moments to get swept up into Middle-Earth despite the medium. I'm really looking forward to The Desolation of Smaug! Thank you again for your hilarious comment and awesome insights lol
Kali Wali
2025-01-27 16:22:24 +0000 UTCThank you for such a beautiful response! You really nailed so much of what I've been processing after watching this film. It's kinda like reading my own thoughts, but with extra depth haha. You're absolutely right about the whimsical tone of The Hobbit! And reading what others have said about the book being for children, this makes so much sense. I love how unapologetically fun and lighthearted it is, especially in this first movie! I caught onto it right away. It embraces that sense of play Tolkien most likely infused into The Hobbit while still planting seeds of the weightier themes and stakes to come. Whimsy and danger intertwined is honestly what makes Middle-earth so magical for me. Seeing Gollum again was a true highlight! The riddle scene was done so brilliantly. I didn't bother trying to answer the riddles for you all during my reaction because A) I'm horrible at them and would get it wrong 99% of the time lol but B) I really wanted to soak in that moment. It felt so special and so raw and I just wanted to live in it for that moment. I love your insight into Gollum's character and the trauma that shaped him. It's heartbreaking to think of him as both a villain and a victim, but it's so very true. Gandalf's quote from Fellowship really came full circle here. It's not just grand battles and destinies but small acts of mercy that truly shape the world around us. Martin Freeman played a phenomenal Bilbo. I completely agree with you there. He captures so many layers of the character: yearning for adventure, fear of the unknown, and most importantly, his deeply empathetic heart! That scene where he talks about missing home but refuses to abandon the dwarves was beautiful. It really captured what makes Bilbo such a remarkable hero. And Gandalf! You said it perfectly with my exact thoughts. For someone so powerful, his moments of vulnerability make him feel so human. The fact that he draws courage from others is so humbling. I love Gandalf so much and seeing him in this light made this movie so enjoyable for me. I can't wait for the next one, too! See you there!
Kali Wali
2025-01-27 16:16:11 +0000 UTCIt looks like I only have access to the theatrical versions of all 3, so if you are going to switch to extended for one or both remaining movies I’ll save myself the agro and not bother to start. Hope you enjoy them though.
James Hadden
2025-01-27 14:34:29 +0000 UTCThe Hobbit was one of my comfort books for me to read on my bad days out of high school. While I was figuring out adulthood and stressing out how to live on my own. The story struck a cord with me, 18 yrs old, on my own. Just graduated from high school. Figuring out life. It was the perfect book to read before I was out of high school before I set out on myself.
Ultra
2025-01-27 11:29:01 +0000 UTCWhile this may not be the grand palace that is the LOTR trilogy, there was something very comforting about this movie. Like a cozy little home, getting to see the world once again, but through a different lens. One with slightly less sinister stakes at play. Getting to see old familiar faces and places again, while introducing us to so many new ones. Most notably, obviously, the Dwarves. I loved getting a deeper look into their history and culture! And getting more interactions with them than just Gimli (silliness and all haha). I totally resonate with what you said in your outro about how new experiences teach us so much about who we really are. Have had that all the time with work the past few years, and after those experiences, I come back to the normal day to day, a completely changed person with a new outlook I LOVE the Misty Mountains song the Dwarves were singing in Bilbo's house! There's something about the deep notes of a male choir that just stirs something in me. And then for the orchestra to reprise it later turning it into the Dwarves song throughout the movie. So good! While not to the scale of the original trilogy, this movie still had some amazing music (RIP to the Goblin Town song that didn't make it into the theatrical version hahaha) I really enjoyed this reaction! One of the things I’ve always loved about your content, be it reacts or gaming, is how open minded you are. There are always joys to be had with any story, any world, or with any characters, as long as we want to find them. Sure this isn’t LOTR, and like you said, it isn’t meant to be. But this was still a very charming story in a beautiful world, and I had a great time watching it along again with you! Thank you!
M1 Maz
2025-01-27 03:15:41 +0000 UTCAlso about finding the ring, Déagol found the ring in the river, Sméagol killed him and took the ring, had it for ~500 years and then it abandoned him in the cave and Bilbo picked it up as seen in this one. If you go back to The Fellowship, Gandalf mentioned he was looking for Sméagol (together with another character you will find out about in the book) but Smea was caught by Sauron's army and told them about Baggins and The Shire. Sauron sent the "black riders" aka the Nazguls to search for the ring and well.. LOTR happens :)
Rippan
2025-01-26 21:59:01 +0000 UTCGandalf is a true menace not only does he convince Bilbo to go on the adventure to the eventual meeting up with this dragon he then told everyone in The Fellowship of the ring to "fly you fools" so he can face off the Balrog alone and stole all the experience points to get a massive power up :D :D All jokes aside I think you missed the part in the start of The Return of the King movie between Smeagol and Deagol on their fishing trip it was Deagol that found the ring in the water So the hand in the water you see in The Fellowship of The Ring is Deagol hand not Bilbos it was only after the fight between Deagol and Smeagol that Smeagol got the reing and eventually lost it to Bilbo in the caves but its an easy thing to miss :) loved this reaction though and also Extended editions dont really matter until the 3rd movie but we will understand if you can not get a hold of them :) I just wish they used more practical shots and less cgi in these movies thats really the only thing that bugs me about these movies because its like they went back in time with the cgi technology.. I personally never went into these movies thinking they were the lord of the rings as that was Frodos story not Bilbos saying that thoug they could have kept to the story a little more.. Cant wait for the Desolation of Smaug :D
John Smith
2025-01-26 21:13:43 +0000 UTCYeah these movies definitely get a little too much hate, I think lots of people adjust after this first film. The reason it feels so lighthearted and quippy compared to the high stakes is because.... thats the original series. 😅 The Hobbit books and even the very old original cartoon, is a lighthearted story about Bilbo going on an adventure with a group of Dwarves, Gandalf, and the story of Bilbos magical ring. Whimsical is a great way to describe it. A couple things I think really stand out to me here. For one, of course seeing Gollum again. I love that we see the very moment Bilbo could've killed him, and the exact quote of Gandalfs in Fellowship comes around. "It was pity that stayed Bilbos hand." At the end of the day, as vile as Gollum is, and even Smeagol, who murdered Deagol for the ring all the way back.... he's just a person who has been through hell. Dissociative Identity Disorder, which is what Smeagol has, is what happens when a brain has suffered so much trauma that they create new personalities to protect and help shoulder what they're going through. The only reason Smeagol is so chipper and innocent is because Gollum is there to take on all the darkness. Gollum is a great character and Gandalf called it, his life was a really sad story. 😔 Bilbos story of getting out of his comfort zone really stood out to me. (Martin Freeman literally makes everything that he's in, instantly better 👏) I love that he starts the adventure because he craves it, he wants that touch of danger, exploring the world. But what touches me personally is that when the adventure goes terrifying, what keeps him going is his compassion. That scene in the forest when he says to Thorin how much he misses his home, and that's exactly why he can't leave them, and wants to help them get their home back, might be my favorite scene in this film. Also I totally get what you mean by Gandalfs facial expressions and seeing him again. I love the idea that Gandalf, essentially an angel, and a very powerful wizard, is still someone that feels fear. He feels despair. And it's so beautiful that he finds his courage by others example. For someone that isn't "human" that just might be one of the most human experiences you could have 😅 Anyways, I'm glad you enjoyed this movie! I do hope the next two extended editions are easier to find because, like the OG trilogy.... they're definitely the preferable experience. Either way, super excited for The Desolation of Smaug! See you then Kali!
Lorenzo Baxter
2025-01-26 19:55:49 +0000 UTCWeird, here it's almost impossible finding the theatric version (even as PPV), had to go the... pirate way for this one 'Yarr!
Rippan
2025-01-26 19:40:52 +0000 UTCI can definitely see where you are coming from! If you wanna check out some cool community gifts, just watch the intro :) Otherwise, I totally get why you'd want to skip this one. It's nothing like LoTR and going into it with that mindset was probably very disappointing.
Kali Wali
2025-01-26 19:35:33 +0000 UTCI'll keep that in mind! I might just watch "Battle of The Five Armies" in th extended version then if it really doesn't make much of a difference with these as it does for LoTR. Thank you for the info!
Kali Wali
2025-01-26 19:34:46 +0000 UTCI know some of you will be skipping this one- But if you followed my Lord of the Rings journey at least check out the intro to see some awesome Throne gift unboxings that came in from this amazing community! 💚✨ I appreciate you all so much for showering me in lore and books!
Kali Wali
2025-01-26 19:18:15 +0000 UTCI remember being underwhelmed to the point of nodding off during this trilogy. The book is very short and spreading it to 3 movies took its toll. I remember thinging these movies felt like a cash grab with little artistry. I think I went in with high expectations and should not have done so. I'm not sure I can watch again but do hope you enjoy them.
The Dingo
2025-01-26 18:46:43 +0000 UTCYeah for some reason (at least in the US), Max has both the extended and theatrical versions of the the 2nd, and 3rd Hobbit movies, but only the theatrical version of the 1st one
M1 Maz
2025-01-26 18:38:07 +0000 UTCPersonally I think "An Unexpected Journey" & "Desolation of Smaug" is fine watching as theatrical version, "Battle of The Five Armies" is a lot different and better as extended. but yeah... if you don't have access to the extended , not much you can do.
Rippan
2025-01-26 18:06:24 +0000 UTClets goooooo
John Smith
2025-01-26 18:04:29 +0000 UTC
