Words can't describe how much I loved this movie. To say that this is an improvement from the first film is a major understatement. This to me is The Empire Strikes Back of The Hobbit films. It's hard for me to say that because not only is there one film left in the franchise, but I also really loved the first film despite its flaws. This sequel fixes all of the problems the first film had and improves upon what was good from the start!
For starters: I was never bored. As much as I did enjoy An Unexpected Journey, some of the scenes in the theatrical release I felt should have been cut out because they felt unneeded or just dragged on for too long. Here is not the case! Not only was I left wanting more (I'll get to that later) but the scenes that were distinctly slower never lost my interest. The film slows down when we arrive at Laketown but what happened was still very interesting.
Secondly: Stuff actually happens! Yeah I know things like the trolls and the riddles in the dark were in the first film but what happens in this film actually felt important. I feel that the first film was made to introduce the characters and their goals. While here, I feel that the characters' journey really began.
Finally: It didn't feel like a kids movie. The Desolation of Smaug got rid of the goofy, kiddish tone from the first film and made it violent, intense and even a bit scary.
One thing I didn't get a chance to talk about in my review of the first film were the characters and the actors performances. Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins really is perfect casting. Not only is Martin Freeman an awesome actor, but he captures all of the emotions, reactions and thoughts running through the head of someone who gets thrust into a situation that is way bigger than he expected. The look on his face when he sees Smaug for the first time is a genuine look of terror.
What I like about Gandalf in The Hobbit is that we actually get to see him use magic. In The Lord of the Rings we didn't really see that very much. And plus, I think that Gandalf the Grey is way cooler than Gandalf the White. As far as the dwarves go, I originally thought that they were pretty goofy as a whole. But I personally like them now. Some more than others obviously.
Even though they weren't in the book, Legolas returns with a lovely She-Elf played by Evangeline Lilly named Tauriel that Peter jackson completely made up. I found it odd to bring back Legolas but then I remembered that his father Thranduil, played by Lee Pace, was in it so it does make sense. I'm just very glad that those two characters actually served a purpose to the film. They were fun to watch and pretty cool additions to the cast. A pretty obvious love triangle does form and while I usually can't stand it when that happens, I didn't mind it because I like the characters.
I also liked how the film portrayed Wood Elves. That Wood Elves are very different from the elves of Rivendell. The Wood Elves were very aggressive with a very short temper compared to Rivendell's calm and reasonable personality.
Bard the Bowman was introduced and he was a really cool character too. He had this vibe to him that reminded me of Aragorn. Which does make sense because their character backstories are kind of similar. I am excited for what he's going to do in the final film.
The action is far more abundant in this film than the first. There is a sequence with the dwarves in barrels that had me and my viewing audience rolling with laughter! It was fast, intense and just a whole lot of fun! At times it felt a bit Disney-ish but never too much where it took me out of the moment.
As for Smaug the Dragon, he has got to be without a doubt one of the coolest villains I've ever seen on the big screen. Everything about him was intimidating. Like his eyes, voice, design and his very size. You really felt the massiveness of Smaug when he was conversing with Bilbo. The scene took place in Erebor which is an enormous city and they put a huge dragon in the heart of it with a Hobbit that looks absolutely minuscule compared to the things around him. The scope and grandness was definitely evident. I feel that Peter Jackson did with Smaug what he did with Gollum in The Two Towers, which was have someone give a great performance with the assistance of some brilliant special effects. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the dragon and he delivers the lines with such sarcasm and spite. I just love how he taunts Bilbo by calling him "Barrel Rider".
The only problem I had with the film is how it ends. It really ended on the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers and will definitely leave countless viewers unsatisfied. When the credits began rolling I was able to distinguish a resounding grumble of disapproval for my fellow viewing audience. Which is completely understandable. But even with the ending, I was never left unsatisfied! I actually appreciated the ending because it reminded me of The Empire Strikes Back. Only we only have to wait one year for the final film instead of three.
Final Report: I adored every second this two and a half hour, Middle Earth epic took me on. It was fun, fast-paced, action-packed, exciting and never boring. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is one of the best movies I've seen all year. If not the best!
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