Movie Review 61: The Hobbit, The Desolation of Smaug

Hello!

Welcome back! I'm back in reviewing mode here after the midnight Showing of Hobbit, the Desolation of Smaug! I'll attempt to avoid any big spoilers, but a few may slip in here and there. so read at your own discretion. I'm writing this at 4 in the morning and I have an early morning Calltime in the morning so I'll probably not be as proficient as I know I can be.

 - Edit -
I Just saw it again, and I wanted to Re-review it, I Enjoyed the movie a whole lot more the second time around and the review will probably show it!

anyway, Review Time!

MOVIE REVIEW: 
The Hobbit 
The Desolation of Smaug

Pros:
Peter Jackson is a master film maker. Desolation of smaug is gorgeous. The visuals alone are breathtaking. from the dwarves in barrels to the Mighty Smaug. it's amazing. I mean, everything, from Mirkwood to Laketown, to Erebor is absolutely amazing to look at. my hat is off to Weta workshop and weta digital for a brilliant job.

Moving on, the Dwarves got a bit more character this time around. mostly Kili and Balin. the 13 are still not as well defined as the Fellowship, it feels like a rabble of random character barely fitting together, but they all have their own quirks, and they finally seem to stand apart a bit.

and Bilbo is as good as ever. Martin freeman really come into his own int his one, standing apart and seeming more like the group at the same time.

And let's talk about Legolas and Tauriel. elves are still Badass. and seeing legolas taking down orc's was great

 - Edit - The second time around it was very obvious that Legolas and Turiel were not a couple. more of an older brother watching after a Foolish sister. I'm willing to bet that Tauriel and Kili ends up together in the end and Legolas continues his is-he-is-he-not gay type of living. I also like that In Hobbit 1 it was established that Kili liked Female Elves.

And the ending left me wanting more.

 - Edit - The second time around the story flowed much much better, it felt less rushed in the beginning and a whole lot better as it went on. Everything about it felt Bigger and better than it did on the first go round. The first time I was just watching it for the visuals and was lost ion the story, the second I caught so many little things and was still marvelling at the visuals.

 - Edit - Smaug in himself should get this movie a Best special effects Oscar. It'll be tough between this and Gravity (and pacific rim) But he was awesome. I love the small details on his scales, and the Coins underneath them. overall Smaug was amazing. Cumberbatch's voice was perfect, guttural and vain. Easily the Gollum of this movie. and I say that with Love, seeing how Gollum is my favorite animated character of all time. I think smaug is visually better, but gollum is a better character. let's face it, smaug is just awesome looking. and gollum is a freak in a loincloth.

Cons:
There seems to be some retreading in this movie. a whole lot of things that worked in Lord of the Rings are brought back for seemingly no reason. Kingsfoil, Spiders, Legolas, breaking stone bridges, haunted forest. a bunch of other stuff I cant think of. but most of all, the ring. Bilbo already seems possessed by it and it's only been what feels like a few days.

 - Edit - This wasn't as bad as I thought the second time around. Bilbo realized the Ring was possessing him, and he stopped feeling it, until he needed it later against Smaug. The Spiders felt original and the scenes were well done instead of just feeling like A Smaug Aragog Rip off.

the story lacks the epic nature that Lord of the Rings had going for it, it feels so small in comparison. even with sauron gaining strength.

There are almost too many characters, it's hard to keep track of everyone, and at times it seems like the count is off, the 13 dwarves get in 13 barrels, one breaks, and then all of them are back in barrels. some of the scenes like that just seem like they added in stuff to add some action.

 - Edit -  Why was there 14 barrels on the Barge? they left the cellar with 13 (bilbo never got one) Bomber had his little fight scene, shattering his barrel. then jumped into an empty one. but the other 12 already were in barrels. I admit they might have already sent some down before hand, which would leave to Bard having 2 extra but where was Bomber's replacement barrel?

Overall I liked the movie, it was much better paced then the first and was absolutely breathtaking. but it seemed almost too showy sometimes.

I saw it in 48 frames, and it adds a smooth feel to it but in fast motion I miss the motion blur.

 - The second time I saw the 24 FPS Imax show. The Sound was amazing, much better than in the 48FPS (I blame the theatre not the format) (well, Imax is always amazing with their sound)

FINAL VERDICT: 87
Great visually, but too aware of its coolness.

 - Edit -
FINAL VERDICT: 92
Gains points for It's great Pace and Amazing action. as well as it's Coolness


So that's my Review of Hobbit 2! I might go through tomorrow and tweak some things, but anyway, goodnight!



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Comments

  1. Good review. I think it's safe to say that this trilogy has already over-stayed its welcome, but needless to say, I had fun here and I hope they do well with the next, hopefully last installment.

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