One year has passed since fans were brought back to Middle-Earth thanks to Peter Jackson and Wingnut Film's adaptation of "The Hobbit" - J.R.R Tolkien's prequel novel to The Lord of The Rings Trilogy that Jackson successfully adapted into three critically acclaimed films from 2001-2003. Made into a prequel trilogy itself, the first chapter entitled "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" was released last year, and saw the titular character Bilbo Baggins brought into service as a "Burglar" by Gandalf The Grey and a company of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield. Their quest is to reclaim the lost Dwarven kingdom of Erebor, filled with riches and taken by the mighty dragon Smaug. That journey started down the path as any origin tale would, introducing us to memorable characters as well as bridging the events that would eventually connect to the events depicted in the LOTR movies years earlier.
Now, in the eve of 2013 and as the holiday season officially arrives, we resume the journey with Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves, with the second installment of The Hobbit Trilogy - "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug". Much like its predecessor, the film will be available in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D screenings, as well as the brand new format introduced with "An Unexpected Journey" last year - High Frame Rate or HFR. Much like most High-Definition Television sets, this immerses the audience in an almost real-time setup, with the movie playing as if it were happening live before the audience. Truly rich and luscious to behold, it's a fine option to pick if you want something different, and I personally saw the latter thanks to a special premiere screening at IMAX 3D.
Either way you choose to see this, if you love fantasy and adventure, then look no further and see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The film is here to marvel and dazzle you with tales of good versus evil, and the tried and true heroic quest to reclaim lost lands against evil and fiery beings of legend and lore. If you need more convincing, here's a quick review, and thanks goes to Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema for the screening earlier this week.
Movie: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Release Date: December 11, 2013 (RP), December 13, 2013 (US)
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans
Directed By: Peter Jackson
Picking up right where the first movie left off, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug sees Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield's company pick up the pace to make their way to the Lonely Mountains and retake the kingdom back from the evil Dragon Smaug. However, the company's journey is not without its dangers, as Orcs and other monstrous creatures give chase. Even as they narrowly avoid the dangers, the group soon encounters more unexpected situations with the Elves of Mirkwood, not to mention Bard the Bowmen and the citizens Lake Town. As the Dwarves get closer to fulfilling their hopes and vanquishing the dragon once and for all, a mysterious and legendary evil force returns which Gandalf the Grey must investigate and confirm his suspicions about.
Much like any epic sequel with expectations to fulfill, The Desolation of Smaug holds on to its promise of upping the ante and delivering more thrills, spills, and adventure for Bilbo, Gandalf, Thorin, and the Dwarves. Aside from contending with the evil Azog and his troop of Orcs, the company meets with a skin-changer named Beorn, and fights against Giant Spiders until they are saved and captured by the Mirkwood Wood-elves, led by King Thranduil and the returning Lord of the Rings character Legolas (who is once again played by Orlando Bloom). Meanwhile, Gandalf parts with the group and investigates the mystery behind "The Necromancer" of Dol Guldur, whose real identity plays up the events that bring things full circle years later, leading up to the events of The LOTR Trilogy. Of course, our heroes eventually make it to The Lonely Mountains, and encounter the big baddie of the movie itself, Smaug. That being said, these are just some of the highlights of what you'll be seeing in this second part of a grand prequel adventure of Middle-Earth, and it's enough reason to travel to theaters for a near 3-hour film experience you definitely won't regret.
Casting has never been much of a problem for Peter Jackson's films, and since the director films his movies back-to-back, everything feels seamless and right for The Hobbit and LOTR movies. Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, and Richard Armitage all reprise the main cast roles of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf The Grey, and Thorin Oakenshield, as do the actors who portray the latter's loyal company of Dwarves. As mentioned, we see the return of a familiar face from Jackson's Lord of The Rings Trilogy, as Orlando Bloom reprises his role as Legolas. His presence, along with Evangeline Lilly as original character for the movie Tauriel, serve to add more dynamic presence amongst the Wooland-elves, lead by Lee Pace's quiet and brooding portrayal of King Thranduil of Mirkwood. The cast also gets a boost with Luke Evans playing Bard The Bowman of Lake Town, a pivotal character whose simple life will change when the Dwarves come to reclaim their lost kingdom of Erebor.
As with all films of this magnitude and quality, expect to see lots of impressive effects with The Desolation of Smaug, especially with bringing the titular dragon to life. Peter Jackson and Wingnut Films have done exceptional work in the past with Gollum and other 3D animated creatures, so this is no different and will certainly entertain those with a thirst for sci-fi fantasy. Sherlock and Star Trek Into Darkness star Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the role, and it certainly does intimidate thanks to the low deep pitch he delivers which is both booming and menacing. Besides the dragon, the rest of Middle-Earth looks as spectacular as ever, and you'll be treated to several more locations unexplored in depth in previous films, such as the Elven Mirkwood Kingdom, Lake Town, and the riches and long halls of the Dwarven Kingdom of Erebor. All of them look spectacular and magnificent, and whether you see it in regular screenings, in 3D, or in HFR, the end result is still simply wonderful.
So without any more to say of prove, Peter Jackson has once again succeeded in bringing Middle-Earth and Fantasy fans back to theaters with another true epic piece that is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It was definitely more action packed than the first, and the dangers become more evident as we see the Dwarves begin to reach the end of their quest. There's still one more film to wrap up the adventure next year with The Hobbit: There and Back Again, and while it all leads up to the LOTR Trilogy, do see this for its own adventure and see how much Middle-Earth was prior to the quest to destroy The One Ring. Guaranteed, this is something you need to go see in theaters before the holidays, whether it be with family, friends, or a group of Middle-Earth enthusiasts who want to dress up as Elves or Dwarves.
Rating - 5/5
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