One of my most anticipated films of the entire year came out 9 days ago and I can't believe it has taken me this long to see it. The waiting is over, my review imminent...
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the sequel to last years' Hobbit movie that was the first in a trilogy based on the famous fantasy writings of J.R.R Tolkien. Bilbo, Gandalf and the Dwarves are
currently being pursued by a band of orcs, are nearing the Lonely Mountain of Erebor in a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarven kingdom from the evil dragon Smaug. Meanwhile, the wizard Gandalf senses a growing threat in the shadows ready to return and bring war to Middle Earth.
It is no secret that there are people out there who have problems with the Hobbit story being split up into 3 books but to be honest, if they're as entertaining as this I don't care! The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was vastly entertaining but its many flaws would have been made worse if it hadn't brought audiences back into the fictional wonderland of Middle Earth as well as it did. The Desolation of Smaug has no such luxury, but is a huge improvement from the first movie and is one of the best films
I've seen all year.
The Lord of the Rings was so impactful and enjoyable as you felt as if you were going on the journey with these characters and the Desolation of Smaug does something very similar. The entertainment in this movie hardly ever stops and is a middle part of a trilogy that left me satisfied with what I got as well as wanting a lot more.
The Desolation of Smaug is a cracking good adventure movie with thrills and entertainment throughout, mainly due to some exhilarating and excellently choreographed action/adventure sequences. The movie captures an essence of fun among the story through these scenes.
The entertainment continues throughout; whether it's Bilbo freeing the Dwarves from a nest of Mirkwood spiders, a barrel ride sequence down a river while under attack from orcs or whether
it's the climatic showdown with Smaug at the end in the royal caverns of Erebor. All of these scenes are well shot and well choreographed and were thoroughly entertaining to behold.
Yet again, Peter Jackson's passionate direction is able to transport us into this lush and jam-packed world of lore and mythology through some jaw-dropping scenery captured beautifully with his signature cinematography which is just masterful.
Some of the CGI elements in the movie are obviously CGI and one of my problems with the first Hobbit was that the CGI didn't feel polished off enough. However, any problem I had with CGI before the last 40 minutes of the film was simply washed away by Smaug the dragon, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Not only did he look phenomenal, but Cumberbatch's menacing voice and convincing motion-capture work brought this enormous dragon to life. The scene where Smaug and Bilbo are bantering back and forth is, as expected, one of the most memorable of the entire film.
Martin Freeman as Bilbo completely knocks it out of the park again playing the likeable and now brave protagonist. He is definitely a more relatable lead than Frodo was in the Lord of the Rings and Freeman brings the beloved Hobbit to life with a funny and charming performance. Currently in the possession of the One Ring, in this movie Bilbo is given more depth to his character when you see the toll the seductive and corrupting Ring is having on him.
Ian Mckellen again owns it as the wizard Gandalf and through his sub-plot we are reminded just why Gandalf is such a badass! A secret evil is quietly growing in Middle Earth and it is up to Gandalf to discover just what that evil is. While I have an issue with Middle Earth continuity I still liked those scenes because I like it when the world of Middle Earth is stitched together.
The Desolation of Smaug also sees the introduction of some new and returning characters, most notably Evangeline Lilley's character Tauriel and Orlando Bloom's Legolas, both wood elves of Mirkwood. Honestly, it doesn't bother me that these characters weren't in the book as long as they contribute to the story. Both characters do contribute, plus Legolas proves during the barrel ride sequence just how awesome of a warrior he is!
Some complaints I have with the movie involve a subplot in it that involves Tauriel and some form of love triangle between her, Legolas and one of the Dwarves. To me it just doesn't need to be there.
Also, I really did miss the "Misty Mountain" song from An Unexpected Journey. Howard Shore's score remains captivating as always but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss one of the strongest points of the previous instalment.
The Desolation of Smaug succeeds as a middle movie of a trilogy and made me feel like I was on an adventure with these characters at all times. The entertainment never stops, and is a definite improvement to the first one:
Rating - A
1 sentence summary - A fantastic fantasy adventure which satisfies your needs but leaves you wanting more!
I have to wait whole year for There and Back Again? AAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Thanks for reading,
Matt
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