For film lovers, one of the best gift options for the holidays is no doubt a boxed set of films or series – with the holiday break, there’s no better time to watch them. We’re checking out one such option today, as we look at Warner Bros’ 4K release of The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy. This six-disc set features the entire trilogy: “An Unexpected Journey,” “The Desolation of Smaug,” and “The Battle of Five Armies.”
The trilogy begins with “An Unexpected Journey,” where director Peter Jackson returns to Middle-earth, bringing back the magic and spectacle of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The film, however, wrestles with the challenge of stretching a relatively short single-book tale into a lengthy three-part saga, leading to some arguably unnecessary plot expansions and character alterations. Despite these imperfections, the first installment remains an entertaining fantasy, offering a decent start to the epic adventure even though it feels like a studio decision being at odds with the narrative at times.
“The Desolation of Smaug” picks up the torch, introducing new characters and successfully blending fidelity to Tolkien’s vision with fresh additions. The film strikes a balance, delivering an unexpected improvement over its predecessor. Notably, the appearance of the shapeshifting giant Beorn and the portrayal of Smaug, brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch, contribute to a more satisfying and engaging chapter in the Middle-earth saga.
As the trilogy concludes with “The Battle of Five Armies,” the visual spectacle remains thrilling, yet the clash between dwarves, elves, humans, and orcs falls short of the epic encounters seen in “The Lord of the Rings.” The film navigates a plot dominated by gold-lust and power struggles, almost sidelining popular key characters like Gandalf and Bilbo.
The trilogy’s 4K Ultra HD presentation, adorned with Dolby Vision HDR, elevates the visual experience to new heights. “An Unexpected Journey” benefits from a dramatic upgrade in color depth, offering a stunning array of hues that enrich scenes from sunsets to fiery encounters. “The Desolation of Smaug” boasts a razor-sharp, detailed transfer with remarkable clarity in costumes, settings, and intricate patterns. Finally, “The Battle of Five Armies” shines with improved contrast, vibrant whites, and inky-rich blacks, creating an almost three-dimensional cinematic quality. The trilogy’s visual upgrade is nothing short of spectacular, and is a great showcase of the new tech that was used for the Hobbit films.
Accompanying the visual splendor is a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that immerses viewers in the heart of the action. “An Unexpected Journey” impresses with a reference-quality audio mix, seamlessly blending ambient effects, fluid panning, and Howard Shore’s exhilarating score. “The Desolation of Smaug” and “The Battle of Five Armies” continue the sonic journey with impressive clarity, well-defined mid-ranges, and powerful low-frequency extension. The soundscapes transport audiences into the fantastical world, enhancing the overall cinematic experience. And while we didn’t feel like the music rises to the level of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit films are still an audiovisual delight on all fronts – especially in this 4K version.
Warner Bros. delivers the trilogy on six UHD100 discs with straightforward menus, allowing users to dive straight into the cinematic adventure. The absence of bonus features in this set might disappoint enthusiasts though, especially if the upgrade to the “Middle Earth” boxed set is quite costly if you already own the other films on 4K.
But while “The Hobbit” trilogy may not reach the lofty heights of “The Lord of the Rings,” the 4K Ultra HD release stands as a triumphant addition to any collection if you already have LotR sitting on your shelf. The visually stunning Dolby Vision HDR and the immersive Dolby Atmos audio transport viewers into Tolkien’s world with unparalleled brilliance. This is a more than recommended purchase for loyal fans, offering a captivating and visually resplendent journey through Middle-earth. We’ve seen some great holiday sales on this one as well, so hopefully this one makes it into plenty of gift piles this month.
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