Very well executed

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Absolutely amazing

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Movie Review: "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" (2013)After now more Academy-Award-winning Director Guillermo Del Toro left the two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic childrem book, firstly published to the English-speaken book market on September 21st 1937, "Lord of The Rings" director Peter Jackson took the opportunity to present this centerpiece of a newly-organized trilogy by writing trio Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson, releasing the three "Hobbit" movies between December 2012 and 2014 in for favors for initial book options owner Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as galvanizing presanter, backed in wolrdwide distribution by Warner Bros. affliate New Line Cinema.In the first minutes, it becomes clear "The Desolation of Smaug" is not the usual Tolkien universe fantasy-movie, director Peter Jackson delivers with atmospheric as stark digital "Red Epic" cinematography ignited by Andrew Lesnie (1956-2015), when a 150-Minute theatrical cut by Jabez Olssen strikes suspense, visual effects splendors with gigantic spiders attack in a mysterious mind-blending forest, when the company of dwarves surrounded by actor Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield and reprising "Gandalf" portraying character Ian McKellen as Martin Freeman in the title-role of "Bilbo" must confront several non-stop thrilling action scenes from being captured by Wood-Elves, escaping in a extraordinary barrel riding wild river sequence toward the awakening of dragon Smaug, vocally portrayed to excellence by actor Bendict Cumberbatch, and then an exceeding edge-of-the-seat final confrontation between deceptive "Smaug and the mining forge organizing dwarves.The second installment of "The Hobbit" movie series markes a highlight in fantasy cinema due to perfect pacing, endless newly-to-discover characters from man-resembling hobbits, dwarves and wizards as orcs, other fantastic beasts plus a sequence-owning shapeshifting bear creature turning into the utmost mysterious character "Beorn", given face by actor Mikael Persbrandt, making this Holiday season of 2013/2014 movie event a real likeable as satisfying Hollywood motion picture entertainment experience, perferably watched in and IMAX certified theatre.Copyright 2018 Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC

If you've liked the other four Lord of the Rings/Hobbit films, you'll like this one, simple. I found it highly enjoyable and well-paced - not as meandering as 'The Fellowship of the Ring' or 'An Unexpected Journey'. It's not as good as 'The Two Towers', but does an good job of moving the story and characters forward.It also has a great score - every time you hear that motif, you think of Sauron and the ring's temptation - and plenty of great visuals. It's pretty amazing how just watching a film can make you feel comfortable, as you recognize parts of Middle Earth/New Zealand. But most of all, it's fun - there's a bear, plenty of 'catch-me-if-you-can', a waterfall/rapids chase, some spelunking, some gold mining - oh, and a dragon!It's good to see Legolas and some Elves, as well as men, helping out the Hobbit & the Dwarves. Gandalf has some good moments, but this is definitely Bilbo's film - and it's left on a nice cliff-hanger.

After a lot of character building and exposition, it is time to meet some of the antagonists. The orc's obsession with the dwarfs is now explained as a part of an elaborate evil plan, we finally meet the dragon, which is an intelligent and articulate being, only driven mad by pride and greed. I quite liked the dragon and I wish the character would have been explored more. However, considering this is based on a children's book, any kind of depth in the story is a bonus. We also meet the humans, not some great kingdom, but a mere fisherman's village, far removed from the glory of the original Dale, and run by a corrupt ruler. Sauron makes his appearance, battling all kinds of magic users that seem to appear and disappear from various places as the story demands. We meet the "not so good" elf lord with a grudge on the dwarfs, as well. Here things start to also go awry with the quality of the storytelling, but the special effects and the increase in tension keep the viewer entertained. It all starts to go more and more over the top, without any reason to. If you are a Tolkien purist or thrive on a believable plot with reasonable characters and events, here is where you will start to scratch your head and wonder where it all went wrong. Still good and fun, though.

"The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug" is a two hour and forty minute movie. When the closing credits rolled, however, this was my first thought: "Bring on Part Three!". Once again, director Peter Jackson managed to completely immerse me in the fantasy realm of the LOTR universe.For a basic plot summary, this movie picks up right where the first one leaves off. Fresh out of the Misty Mountains, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Dwarf Co. continue to venture forward towards the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, they encounter:-Giant spiders in the forest -The woodland Elvish warriors led by Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly). -Escaping the Elves in the iconic "barrels" scene. -The rising of Sauron and his army of Orcs. -The Lonely Mountain itself, inside which the mighty Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) dwells.Anyone's enjoyment of these movies comes down to how fully they are able to fully immerse themselves into the fantasy atmosphere. I am able to 100% "buy in", so I love it. I enjoy practically every aspect of the picture, from the action/adventure to the music to the "canon" material and even the dwarf bumbling humor. This is one of my favorite series of all-time, so I'm probably not being too objective here, but to me there is nothing here in this movie to shy away from.It has been awhile since I read the "Hobbit" book, so I can't comment on how closely the movie follows the text, but from what I've heard/remember Jackson takes quite a few liberties. To be honest, though, I didn't care one iota while watching the film. I didn't feel as if any of the "new stuff" was boring or dramatically changed the main storyline. Again, of course, that could just be because I'm not intimately acquainted with the novel as I once was.A final comment on this movie (and the series so far): The one thing I DO remember about the "Hobbit" book is that it is very much more light-hearted than LOTR and almost more of a children's book. However, these movies (with their horrifying creatures and graphic battles) are not marketed for the kiddie set. Thus, I can understand why Peter Jackson would want to incorporate more mature themes into the storyline. Too much of "book Hobbit" is childish (for better or worse).Overall, "The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug" was one of my favorite cinema experiences of the year. Like I said, I could have EASILY sat through the entire third segment the same night!