I think the character is essentially the same. I think that since the Hobbit is written as more of a lighthearted tale, the character of Gandalf is likewise a little more lighthearted. Although the adventure is dangerous, it does not have the same stakes that play out in The Lord of the Rings. Also, although I am no expert yet, it seems Gandalf learns more about the ring in his latter, darker trilogy. But as some others pointed out, his brilliance can be demonstrated by how cleverly he interwove all his stories together.
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"The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm. It's the last thing he'll expect."
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