THE HOBBIT - AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (2012)

THE HOBBIT - AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY is part one of Peter Jackson's three part prequel to the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, based on the J.R.R. Tolkien novel. A young hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, is enlisted by the wizard Gandalf to go on an adventure with dwarves. It is rated 12 for moderate violence.

In many respects the feature is very similar to the three films in the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy.

Scenes of moderate violence include the storming of a dwarf city by a dragon, and battles between the band of dwarves and both orcs and goblins. In one battle there is reference to a dwarf king being beheaded, with sight of a head being held by an orc before it is thrown to the ground. It is neither bloody nor gory. An orc also has his arm severed with a sword, with brief sight of black blood dripping from the stump. In another scene the dwarves are attacked by large creatures resembling wolves and ridden by orcs. Orcs are shot with arrows and at one point an arrow is pulled from an orc's neck. However, while arrows are seen hitting the creatures, these moments are not bloody. At one point the dwarves are captured by goblins and must fight to escape. The battle includes decapitations and stabbings, and a large goblin's stomach being slashed open. While there is a lot of violence involving bladed weapons, the context is clearly fantastical and there is no emphasis on injuries or blood.

There are also scenes of threat, including Bilbo and the dwarves being caught by trolls who plan to eat them. But they are saved before they come to any harm. When Bilbo encounters Gollum, the creature considers eating Bilbo, having previously been seen hitting a goblin with a rock while singing about eating that too. But Bilbo is able to outwit the creature.

THE HOBBIT - AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY also features scenes in which characters smoke pipes and drink alcohol. However, this reflect the habits of the fantasy characters and does not condone smoking or excessive drinking.

No-one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video or DVD.