The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was probably one of the top movies that I looked forward to seeing in 2013. For me Desolation of Smaug did not disappoint in the least. While the first movie in the Hobbit trilogy I thought was done really well, Desolation of Smaug takes that success and in the end created an amazingly strong movie. As I have gotten older, the midnight movies do not appeal nearly as much to me simply because of how hard it is to stay completely alert throughout the movie. Yet, this was one of those movies that I was so eager to see that I went to go and see as the midnight movie and it was so well laid out and put together that I was able to easily stray awake. Desolation of Smaug with the abrupt end to the movie only worked to make me even that more excited for when the third movie will come out.
Martin Freeman reprises his role as Bilbo and really not only envelops the role, but he really shines and is completely believable and is a great protagonist. Freeman will definitely become a big name star as he continues to get roles and deliver the great connection ability he has with the audience. The insurgence of Evangeline Lily as the elf Tauriel is a great female heroine addition for the Hobbit. While the original book written by Tolkien did not have this character she brings not only a strength, but a great feminine touch to a predominantly male cast. Richard Armitage in the role of Thorin has matured nicely into the strength of the leader of the Dwarves set to reclaim Erebor. Not surprisingly for me because of how much I have enjoyed the BBC show Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of Smaug was great. While they used effects to give his voice more boom he does a fantastic job as the sneering, wise and boastful dragon. The rest of the supporting cast do a great job and only add to the movie.
The story for Desolation of Smaug ends up doing a great job of not simply just being a middle film that relies and needs the secondary films, but instead even though it does end abruptly to build anticipation for the third movie it really has a great ability to stand on its own. The story builds throughout and is able to really expand on the material. While we are given great set pieces, strong action sequences and while Gandalf's journey happens without being told about it in the book, it was really a fun added aspect to the movie. Yet, the main journey to the Lonely Mountain with Bilbo and the Dwarves remains the constant drive for the pacing for the movie and it never loses sight of that for the true story. While I felt that the first installment had points where for me it kind of dragged, in Desolation of Smaug though the pacing really works and the action sequences end up helping the story to continue to movie without dragging.
The action in Desolation of Smaug is above top notch. Right from the onset the action grabs you and not only pulls you immediately into the movie, but does not let go until the credits start to roll. The use of the CGI for the different action sequences is pretty seamless and spot on, that it truly takes the fight scenes to epic heights. Along with the increasing danger we see how strong these action sequences can be. The dwarves in the barrels down the river sequence was really cool to see, simply as they gave us a different chase sequence that you do not really see in movies, so that one that does not know Tolkien's story is surprised with the way they escape and while still escaping from the Elves, while fighting off the Orc's they still receive a little help from Legolas and Tauriel as it seems that the two of them take out three fourths of the Orc's on their own. The action sequence/story that takes place between Bilbo and Smaug though was pure genius. The interaction between these two is perfect and it really works well to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout the build up as to what is going on and seeing finally the dragon Smaug is completely epic.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was a fun movie to watch and it really exceeded my expectations in ways that I did not know The Desolation of Smaug would be able to do. Martin Freeman continues to show that he is a definite breakout star that will only have more and more roles as his career continues. Freeman though shoes his true greatness in the Lonely Mountain as his chemistry he has with Smaug voiced by Cumberbatch just works. Cumberbatch only brings up the film and really gave a performance that while I expected it to be strong it gave me goosebumps. I really enjoyed the story and all the different action sequences that were brought forward only made for a great movie that truly seemed to fly by. I am giving The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug four and a half buckets of popcorn out of five. This is one that will be added to my collection once it comes out and I would urge anyone that is a fan of great movies to make sure to see it in theaters simply because no other viewing format may be able to portray Smaug the way he is viewed on the big screen.
-The Movie Man
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