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    The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

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    adamwatchesmovies@

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    The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) 3D theatrical version in Imax Rating: 4,5 / 5 If you thought "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" had a lot of cool stuff going for it but suffered because it contained a lot more setup than payoff and the pacing was uneven, you'd be right. Thankfully, all of that setup pays off with the sequel"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug", another chapter in the"Lord of The Rings" series that packs a wallop with some surprisingly unique action sequences, some big revelations about the characters you've come to love and a slew of new elements you can't wait to see again. If you're coming in late, here's what you need to know: Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)was a simple hobbit who dreamed of nothing more than spending his days in his warm home relaxing until he was wrapped up in a quest by his old friend the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) They are to travel to the Lonely Mountain along with the dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and his band of eleven dwarves. Inside the mountain lay the ruins of Erebor, a once mighty dwarven city that is now occupied by Smaug, the dragon (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) Bilbo's job is to steal the Arkenstone, a precious gem with no equal that will help restore the dwarven kingdom to its former glory. The band encountered Stone Giants, trolls and legions of goblins before narrowly escaping the clutches of Azog the Defiler, Thorin's arch nemesis. Now, the group has to make their way to Erebor in order to find a hidden door that will grant them safe access into Smaug’s lair. The route there is still wrought with danger however. They will have to face giant carnivorous spiders in the forest of Mirkwood, elves that are none too friendly, corrupt officials and all that with orcs still on their trail. Once all of those threats are left far behind them, there is still Smaug to be dealt with as well. Once again, the special effects department delivers in every way. Elaborate costumes, creative creature designs (I still can't make up my mind whether or not the orcs are getting uglier as these movies go on), spectacular environments and worlds that feel fresh and alive. Barter town, a small municipality governed by a corrupt official and the home to Bard is a big change from every other city you've seen in the Lord of the Rings series. There are no marble statues or majestic pillars of stone. Not even any fancily carved wooden posts. This place feels like a slimy, rusted place where the people you can trust are few and the threats, while invisible are just as real as the orcs right outside the city gates. Also particularly enchanting are the ruins of Erebor, which are covered by treasure. When Bilbo is navigating through these, trying to pass unseen while being interrogated by Smaug, it’s almost as if he’s wading through a desert because there are so many coins littering the floor. Add to that some intense sequences of combat between characters we genuinely care about and you've got yourself a second chapter that improves on the first in nearly every way. With the 3D, we've some good moments where you'll jump out of your seat out of surprise too. I want to talk about an action sequence towards the middle of the film. It's elves vs. Orcs with Bilbo and the Dwarves stuck in the middle and it's going to blow you away. You have to applaud this series for finding a way to bring in a long, elaborate action scene that is not only original in terms of the series but is unlike anything you've seen in any film before. The setup is that the Dwarves are escaping an elvish prison by hiding inside barrels which are being dumped in the river. These guys have no weapons at all and are being pursued by elves with bows and arrows when suddenly, an army of orcs shows up. It becomes a big free-for-all with the orcs fighting the elves on the riverbanks, both of them chasing the barrels flowing down the river. Thorin and his men, not to be left idly by while everyone else is getting into the action get to show off their skills at improvisation and their teamwork by doing all sorts of creative moves. Whether they're knocking villains over and grabbing their weapons to pass from one another as they pass by enemies or work together by having each character deliver a strategically placed blow, it's a real thrill to watch. Meanwhile you've got the elves practically dancing among a flurry of arrows, jumping through trees, over rocks and onto other characters to hit their mark. In 3D, on the big screen it's truly spectacular. We’ve also got the climax of the film, a scene greatly expanded from the book where the Dwarves have to use their ingenuity once again while fighting a foe that out powers immensely. Smaug is kept at bay by natural barriers, strategically placed mining equipment, a mix of deception and of critically timed team efforts. It's one of the most inventive and thrilling battles involving a dragon you've ever seen. I almost forgot to mention a key sub-plot with Gandalf, who goes deep inside a mystery that was discovered in the first film and encounters a terrifying threat. I don't want to give it away, but there is a shot of a character that is sure to find itself on loop on the internet that will make you re-think the original and leave you shaking. Not only do we get to seethe characters in the first Hobbit film expand on their roles (Kili gets some nice development, as does Thorin, Bilbo and Gandalf), but we're also introduced to some old favorites and some new characters that you'll be excited to learn about. Orlando Bloom returns as Legolas, the prolific archer and with him, we are introduced to a new female elf that brings a much-needed feminine presence to the film. Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) is an extraordinary fighter that forms a bond with Kili (Aidan Tyrber) and their story plays out in an interesting way. It serves as a break from all of the action and also explores some new ground for the elf-dwarf relationship that has been established as pretty hostile in the other films. We also get Bard (Luke Evans) a human character that will play a larger role in the final film and finally, we get to see Smaug in all of his glory. We’ve got great actors coming back and giving it their all, or coming in for the first time and making a real impression. Personal favorites of mine have to be Smaug and Tauriel, who I'm sad to say will only be in the next film and won't magically have their roles brought into the other previously released epics. Even better, this is an adaptation of the book that gets it right; expanding on fan-favorite characters, modifying plot points and characters that didn’t quite fit with the sequels and adding in cinematic elements that would have been or are mentioned in passing in the book (which is why you don't compare books to movies, they're different media with different goals and needs) Do I have anything negative to say? Well, yes I do. I found some of the characters in Barter Town a bit over the top and they don’t really fit with this more serious sequel. I do have another complaint, one that will sound peculiar but is worth mentioning. It's the end of the movie. This movie runs nearly 3 hours long and while it's playing, you'll be thrilled. There will come a point though, when you'll realize that it's been a bit over two hours and that there are still a ton of plot points to be tied up. You'll be sitting in your seat, hoping to see a big one get concluded, only for the credits to start to play. The film really leaves on a note that screams “See you next year! ” It does leave you satisfied and excited to see more, but a bit too much considering you're going to have to wait another 12 months to see the final scene come to a real conclusion. It's a flaw that will only really apply to the film during its theatrical run and until the final chapter "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" is released but since I'm complimenting the theatrical 3D experience, that is a factor that needs to be brought up. Aside from minor points, this is a knock-out in every sense. This is the fantasy action film that you hope to see every time you plant your butt into the seat at the theatre. What else do I need to say? I've practically been on all my knees praising the film so quit wasting your time and go to the theatre. Go to the biggest screen you've got available, with the loudest speakers and grab the cleanest 3D glasses they have handy. I can’t recommend “The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug” enough. (3D Theatrical version in Imax, December 18, 2013)

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    adamwatchesmovies@  31.12.2013 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

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