In the second in a trilogy of films adapted from the ever popular book THE HOBBIT, by J.R.R.Tolkien, THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG we follow the further adventures of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he dangerously journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to find the Arkenstone and reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.
THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG is a breathlessly action packed ,more exciting , confident middle second volume for the Hobbit series of films . The trilogy has a possibly slightly , lighter more whimsical feel than the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies themselves. It is possibly slightly hampered by “middle chapter” narrative problems and its length but is visually stunning , with breathtaking landscape and scenery , dizzying photography and wonderful special effects for starters. It is better paced and more cohesive than the first film. The attention to detail is incredible (eg the butterflies and the mice). The narrative is firmly rooted in action -some of it is very Indiana Jones/ Chinese martial arts film in style (especially for example the ‘escape in the barrels ‘sequences and assorted fights with Orcs ). It is better paced and has more cohesiveness than the first film .To plump up the films to fit into a trilogy, there is also an added romance , not mentioned in the original Tolkien story ,and we learn a lot more about the Elves and Dwarves ..
As we have learnt previously, Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring (very handy for dealing with angry dragons and hasty dwarves.) The movie begins with familiar faces; on a rainy night in Bree, Gandalf (Ian McKellen ) and Thorin ( Richard Armitage ) meet secretly and Gandalf sends Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and the dwarves on a spectacular mission to the Lonely Mountain. We then see among other things, huge, horrible, hungry spiders, ( warning ! this film is enough to give you arachnophobia!) overly alert and hostile wood-elves and greedily mercenary orcs and the malevolent Mirkwood.
Legolas (Orlando Bloom) while barely mentioned in the book is heavily featured and shown to be an excellent master of both sword and archery. Feisty, acrobatic, beautiful Tauriel (smouldering Evangeline Lilly) , a newly inserted character ,enchants and her skill with a bow and arrow rivals that of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. .
Some of the minor characters have their ‘fifteen minutes of fame’ for instance a local town anti-government smuggler named Bard, played with dark somberness and intensity by Luke Evans; another is Elven King, Thranduil, played by Lee Pace, who deliciously hams it up in fabulous clothes and coronet .Mention must also be made of Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown. And giant shapeshifter/bear Beorn ( Mikael Persbrandt).
Proud villainous Smaug himself is magnificent – at times almost feline, he is in part like a huge frilled lizard with wings, , an amazing rapacious , terrifying, scaly dragon with glittering scales . Superbly voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, he is evil and malevolent, self centred and bent on revenge. Beware- he can smell if his treasure is touched!
A thrilling cliffhanger at the end leads to next year’s finale which is eagerly awaited.
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, Rated M, 161 minutes, now showing cinemas everywhere. Genre: Fantasy drama Director: Peter Jackson Stars: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry