The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Have you ever been picked for a job you really didn’t want to do? In December 2013, we continue watching as Biblo tries to finish his task.

Directing this 161 minute adventure/fantasy is Peter Jackson.

Dodging arrows and Orcs are: Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Martin Freeman as Bilbo, Richard Armitage as Thorin, Ken Scott as Balin, Graham McTavish as Dwalin, William Kircher as Bifur, James Nesbitt as Bofur, Stephen Hunter as Bombur, Dean O’Gorman as Fili, Aidan Turner as Kili, John Callen as Oin, Peter Hambelton as Gloin, Jed Brophy as Nori, Mark Hadlow as Dori, Adam Brown as Ori, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel, Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug/Necromancer, Luke Evans as Bard/Girion and Lee Pace as Thranduil. Also starring Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Stephen Fry as Master of Laketown and Stephen Colbert as Laketown Spy.

Thorin and the rest of the dwarves continue on their long journey. Their goal is to return to a place they once called home, the Lonely Mountain, that’s currently claimed by the dragon Smaug. Thorinwants to use the Arkenstone to unite the dwarves. Problem is, it’s somewhere in the huge mine with Smaug. So, Bilbo must find the secret entrance into the mountain and sneak past Smaug to try and find a stone that he’s never seen before – all while facing dangerous obstacles like the Orcs that are chasing after them and a dragon that doesn’t want to give up the mine. One might wonder: Where’s Gandalf during all this? It would seem the dwarves aren’t the only ones with their hands full.

While talking to people that have read The Hobbit, it appears there’s a lot that’s been added that isn’t in the book. This could hinder the enjoyment for some of the Hobbit fans. Luckily, I’ve never read the book, so as a film it’s cool.

The storyline is just a continuance from start point A (stretched out really long) to end point C. As much as I like the movie, somethings just can’t be stretched out without getting a little long in the tooth (old). This one just doesn’t have a lot going for it to keep me interested. Yeah, the fight scenes were cool, but they felt dragged out like they didn’t have anything else to fill space with. Now in defense, my understanding is that in the book there is a lot of walking and not a lot of fighting. So, they spiced it up a bit when they made the movie.

Hands down the special effects, costumes and scenery were top notch.

While I’m sure the third film will be the true mind blowing film experience (man I hope so). This one was filler to get us by till they (made more money) unveil the great ending to the Hobbit’s spectacular adventure.