The Hobbit- The Desolation of Smaug- Review

Title:The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Series:The Hobbit #2
Author:J.R.R. Tolkien (author), Peter Jackson (director)
Genre:Fantasy
Release Date:11 December 2013

 Let me tell you I really liked this movie better then the first one in the series!  Here is the synopsis:

After successfully crossing over (and under) the Misty Mountains, Thorin and Company must seek aid from a powerful stranger before taking on the dangers of Mirkwood Forest--without their Wizard. If they reach the human settlement of Lake-town it will be time for the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to fulfill his contract with the dwarves. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and burglar Baggins must seek out the Secret Door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug. And, where has Gandalf got off to? And what is his secret business to the south? 


Finally a Hobbit movie that was worth me sitting there for three hours.  I went to see it in the IMAX opening night.  I was a little nervous.  After the first one where I think the pacing was off this one was right on track.  There were a few Lord of the Rings references that were way too obvious.  The Hobbit book really has nothing to do with LOTR and the viewers could figure some things out on their own without all the hints.


This book has a lot more action then the first speaking of the first have you seen the honest trailer for it?  Hilarious:

OK back to Desolation of Smaug. I love more action this time around. The pacing of moving the film along was much better. I was nervous about Legolas returning to the film. I thought it was some type of excuse to just get old characters back in the film but it was great. There is even some romance added into the film that I never expected.

Smaug is really amazing.  The GCI here is great (unlike at a point earlier in the film when the GCI was a nightmare).  He is a very good villain.  Benedict Cumberbatch’s voice is used for Smaug's voice and boy is it creepy and good. The movie is completely different then the book.  Let's just say you shouldn't even compare the two.

I still haven't seen the high frame rate on either film.  Last year I had a family emergency so I saw the film some time after it was released.  This year we saw this one in IMAX so didn't see the high frame rate there either.  Not sure how long films will actually be made in that format.  It doesn't seem to be taking off.  Sometimes the scenes seem too familiar (Lord of the Rings) .. that is annoying.  But I suppose you can only shoot in so many places in New Zealand.  I was surprised at the cliff hanger at the end.  I thought they were going to finish the book out in this movie and the next movie was going to be all new material from Peter Jackson.  But ... apparently not.

We are hoping to get tickets to San Diego Comic Con 2014 and be able to see the panel for the last Hobbit movie.  Wish us luck!  I recommend seeing this film... it is much better then the first.  Plus .. I mean.. Peter Jackson how can you miss it.

My review of The Battle of the Five Armies