Review: ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug’

http://www.thechiefly.com/culture/review-the-hobbit-desolation-of-smaug/

Before you even buy a ticket, it would be advisable to watch or re-watch the first of the new Hobbit films – last year’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” If you don’t you’re probably going to spend some time figuring out what happened and what’s going on and not enough time enjoying the film.

“Smaug” (the dragon that destroyed the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor) begins with a flashback to a key plot point in the journey that began in the first film. Gandalf the Grey, played by the brilliant Ian McKellen, and Thorin Oakenshield, played by Richard Armitage, are in a back-and-forth with Gandalf trying to convince him to try and retrieve the Arkenstone, which would make him king. Gandalf suggests they add a burglar to the team, Bilbo Baggins, who is played by Martin Freeman.

The group continues on their journey, still constantly hunted by orcs, and encounter a skin-changer – one of Tolkien’s rarest identified creatures. Gandalf leaves the group following this point, yet they press on without him and subsequently get captured by giant spiders. But thanks to help from Bilbo and the ring, they escape, only to be captured by wood-elves. Bilbo doesn’t hold a candle to Frodo when it comes to avoiding capture (where’s Gollum when you need him?). While executing the escape from the wood-elves, their companion Kili gets injured by a poisonous arrow and they’re forced to travel to Lake-town to heal. When they leave, a few stay behind to take care of Kili, and they finally reach their mountainous destination.

I really enjoyed all 161 minutes of the film. The battle scenes were breathtaking and tense. We even see some romantic chemistry beginning to form between Tauriel the Wood-Elf, played by Evangeline Lilly, and Kili, the dwarf. So much so that when she heard of Kili’s poisoning she set out to try and save him, with Legolas – played by Orlando Bloom- joining her. Some may feel the film gets off to a slow start, but once the action kicked in, the entire audience was on the edge of their seat. The ending was one that leaves you asking for more, which is exactly what the film makers needed to accomplish with the final film coming out next year.

Feather Rating: 8/10

smaugrating

Tyler Moore

Tyler Moore

I am a man of many interests. I am a devout Catholic who hosts, produces, and edits a Christian podcast called Jesus Cafe: Food For Thought. I watch many shows and movies that I enjoy getting to review. I am a huge sports fan, and try to watch as much football and baseball as I can; teams? I am a fan of the New York Jets and New York Mets. Yeah yeah, get out all your laughs. I hope you enjoy what you read from me.
Tyler Moore
Tyler Moore
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