Movie Review - The Desolation of Smaug

Today was the last day of classes so Southern Man celebrated with a light dinner and drinks and then a double feature, in glorious IMAX 3D, of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at 8:30 and then the midnight release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.





Southern Man's fears (expressed in his original review of An Unexpected Journey) were put to rest tonight. Peter Jackson is handling the light-adventure and comic elements of the book with aplomb; for example, the conversation of the Mirkwood spiders is revealed only when Bilbo puts on The Ring. Martin Freeman is really just about perfect as Bilbo. The film also clears up a rather gaping plot hole in the book: just what did Thorin and a ragtag bunch of dwarves (and one hobbit) expect to accomplish at the Lonely Mountain? The film makes it clear that Thorin must have the Arkenstone in hand to establish his kingship and rally an army of dwarves to retake the mountain: thus the need for a burglar; the entire expedition revolves around recovery of this artifact.

And Benedict Cumberbatch was amazing as the voice of Smaug.

Well, thief? I smell you, I feel your air, and I hear your breath...

Yes, the film was a little silly in places, but not quite to the extent of the first one. An outstanding second act in the trilogy and Southern Man is looking forward to the third.