It’s here! Part 1 of “The Hobbit” opens in theaters today. It is of course a day of rejoicing for Ringers far and wide.
I won’t pretend to be as well-versed in the works of Tolkien as the other half of 2WC.
Aside from one magnificent moment of Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit victory ( a truly auspicious moment in board game history), I relinquish expertise in this arena to Zer.
However, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge this cinematic moment.
Of all of Tolkien’s works, I’ve always related most to “The Hobbit.” Partly because it’s the only one of his books I’ve ever read in its entirety (not for lack of trying). Also, because as the shortest member of my family Hobbit’s become my honorary title…It’s purely because of my height, I assure you my feet are only slightly on the larger side.
Still, for most Middle Earth musings I can carry the conversation as far as the films, which I being an awesome sport have seen several times
I may know nothing of the Fall of Gondolin, or know what Thorin Oakenshield’s (the dwarf king) exiled father’s name was, and my elvish is a little rusty, but I can smile and nod and thoroughly enjoy myself as the story unfolds before me.
And isn’t that what “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is really about? Sure, it’s about Bilbo Baggins and his unlikely adventure, a journey which takes him far from his beloved Hobbiton into the lair of a ferocious dragon and (spoiler) ultimately back home, only to live to an unnaturally old age, which of course brings us to “The Lord of the Rings,” but I’m getting ahead of myself.
My point is, you don’t have to speak elvish to appreciate these stories and the lessons they teach us. So with that I say to you: band lend…safe journey…
Also, if that’s incorrect Tolkien connoisseurs you have my apologies…I tried.
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…bi-daily smile…
