Mesmerizing

Rating: 8/10 (2 May 2015)

I saw this in the movie theatre last January (15th to be exact - I still have my movie ticket) and wasn't really impressed at first. I found it too moody and somber. My opinion changed, however, after buying the DVD a couple of days ago. Peter Jackson once again delivers in the unforgettable battle scenes. It's pleasing how the elves & men are allies and that the dwarfs eventually join them. If that's not a good point of "multiculturalism", I don't know what is.
I remember my grade 4 teacher reading our class the book in 1978. I had a big imagination of how it would turn out on the big movie screen and Jackson delivers. Even more so than I imagined.
Gandalf, as always, is the focus of reason and common sense. He was always looked upon as a good source of knowledge in the LOTR trilogy but here, he's treated as a rambling and dirty old man who no one believes. He was, of course, eventually proved right.
I highly recommend this movie. Especially the final battle scene. It just disturbed me though seeing the women of Laketown involved in it. If that's a good example of 'women's lib' then it didn't work for me. The battle was fierce and very violent and you can't help, but feel hope that the good side eventually wins. The women shouldn't have been involved at all, but from what I believe, "protected".
Martin Freeman, of course, is the best casting of Bilbo ever. His nervous and stuttering performance of the Bilbo from the Tolkien book can't be beat. He has it down pat.
I highly recommend this movie. The downfall of Smaug was especially powerful.