Another Triumph in Middle Earth

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2013)

Sitting to watch The Desolation of Smaug, I couldn't help but worry as I thought back on the previous movie. While the first may have been a fun movie, it didn't feel like we were being taken to Middle Earth. The other complaints that I felt needed to be made were that the last movie had no break time, with too much happening at once. The second movie is filled with eye popping action, but you also get the feel of caution and a much slower pace. To avoid spoilers, all I can tell you is that; once again, the performance of Martin Freeman as the protagonist was excellent, and we see a different side too many others, which allows for greater depth and character growth. But the crown jewel of it all is the dragon himself. The voice casting was brilliant, and Benedict Cumberbatch made me BELIEVE I was seeing the real thing in Tolkien's mind.