Frustratingly incomplete but at least there is some action

Rating: 3/10 (12 December 2013)

This trilogy shouldn't have been a trilogy. There just isn't enough story. After watching the first part which was so dragged out and inconsequential this second part finally had some action and excitement in the river and dragon fight, it ends before the real climax.
Everything was dragged out and unnecessarily so. The river fight was well done but twice as long as it should be. The dragon was too chatty and long winded. Reminded me of the Gollum conversations. Gandalf's fight with the orcs was superfluous. Actually we have seen too many orcs. Enough!
At least compared to part 1 there was some action and a hint of dwarf elf romance. Other good points are the beautiful scenery. The new supporting cast are good. Evangeline Lilly from Lost as an only in the movie character, a female elf fighter is quite good and beautiful. Both she and Orlando Bloom's Legolas have some pretty good fighting sequences. Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman is quite convincing too. It's nice to have something else to look at than middle aged vagrant looking types with British accents running around the forest.
Can't believe we have to wait for another movie to finish things up. Two parts would have been enough.