The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - A Visual Treat for Fantasy Lovers

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2014)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is an epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. It is the second installment of a three-part film adaptation based on the 1937 novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien and released on December 11 2013. It was preceded by An Unexpected Journey (2012). It is an ensemble cast led by Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage and Benedict Cumberbatch. It is delightful for any full time writer to write a review on this film. Fantasy films are always hard to deliver. They are a dicey game and successful fantasy films are rare. Twelve months have passed from where the last film left. The orcs are chasing Bilbo, Gandalf, Thorin and Dwarven down from the Carrock where they encounter a huge bear who is Beorn, their host. Loaning a horse from him, they outrun the orcs. On the other hand, the dwarfs are captured by Legolas and Tauriel. Gandalf investigates the tomb of Nazgul which is empty. The company meets Bard who possesses the last arrow to defeat Smaug. Here Gandalf is engaged in a dual with Necromancer who reveals itself as the Dark lord Sauron. Thorin and his company reach the Lonely Mountain, where Bilbo discovers the hidden entrance and is sent to retrieve the Arkenstone, only to awaken Smaug. Bard tries to bring the arrow to the town's launcher but is arrested, leaving the arrow with his son. Attempts are taken to destroy Smaug by drowning him in molten gold. However, he escapes and is determined to destroy Lake-town and its people.
Jackson and his team have worked hard to bring these three-dimensional worlds to the audience. There are different moods, personalities and energies. There are quite a few breathtaking scenes where the line between reality and fantasy has blurred to trick the audience into thinking that they are really standing in a fantasy land. For some, the film or the scenes may be a tad too long but each and every second of every scene is justified. Be it the barrel scene where the barrel rolls slow and for eternity or the confrontation scene with Smaug. Each scene has its pace and creative reasons.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a visual masterpiece where the imagination and contemplation of the team has shown itself. The strongest points are the performances of every character and the establishment of circumstances. whether it is the visual effects, or the linguistic, physic, cultural aspects and fight scenes of the characters, you will not be disappointed. The film has the potential make viewers feel positively content with it and lives up to its reputation. I only wish they hadn't unnecessarily dragged out this short book into such long series - the editing could have been much better.