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The ballad of Bilbo Baggins continues in The Desolation of Smaug, director Peter Jackson’s second of three films in his adaptation of The Hobbit. After five films spanning 12 years, Jackson’s take on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is as elaborate as ever, more so given those 12 years in filmmaking technologies and their development. Jackson’s world is pretty, vibrant, covered in all the colors imaginable and even a few more. It’s enough to enrapture even the most cynical viewer with all the Elvish, Dwarvish, and Hobbitish excitement going on. But a passion has disappeared from revisiting Jackson’s take on this world, and when the adventures this time around pass by, the emptiness they leave behind speaks volumes. More below!
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” has a great deal of enjoyment for J.R.R. Tolkien fans, as well as those who take pleasure in fantasy worlds, make-believe creatures, countless races, exciting adventures and more. In this part of the story, our main characters are progressing on their quest and getting closer to their goal, while dealing with endless attacks, destruction, injuries, and trying to fulfill the prophecy that says the dwarves will one day return to the mountain and take back their home. The elves play a much larger role here and their agility, fighting, and bow skills compliment the combat that takes place. The movie has a light degree of humor, mostly in part to Bilbo Baggins, the clumsiness of the dwarves and other characters, and watching them run into each other or watching them get through various skirmishes, small battles, traps, and other situations, which they almost always find their way out of.
The new characters present in this film are well received, and the actors from the first film give very similar performances. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the evil, impressive, and scary-looking dragon, Smaug, who resides beneath the Lonely Mountain. This movie also stars Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom and more. The running time is a bit long, but it is the type of film that is hard to ever tell whether you’re at the beginning, middle, or end. This film has much to offer, but it doesn’t give off that incredible feeling that “The Hobbit,” “The Lord of The Rings,” or films alike present. In the end, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is a decent, thrilling, and entertaining next step in this film trilogy.
