The Dragon's Lair is Happening.

Rating: 7/10 (25 February 2016)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013): Dir: Peter Jackson / Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly / Voices: Benedict Cumberbatch: Visually enchanting adventure about facing evil. Taking place immediately after the previous film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Gandalf the wizard approaches Thorin Oakenshield urging him to quest after the Arkenstone, which is guarded by a fire breathing dragon. He unites with the dwarfs who accompany him on this journey where they are pursued by massive ogres, tangle with giant spiders, are captured by Wood Elves, and finally land in the most impressive visual element in the film, which is the dragon Smaug's lair. It is filled with gold treasure with Smaug emerging from beneath from sleep. Peter Jackson brings forth the fantastic and a decent detailed screenplay yet it still settles for the pathetic cliffhanger that just seems to lead viewers onward for what might have made one movie as oppose to three. It also seems funny that the good guys can do little wrong in a fight while ogres are dropping like flies during battles. Martin Freeman plays Hobbit Bilbo whose courage reaches its heights when facing Smaug. Ian McKellen is compelling as the wise Gandalf whose own travels hits trouble. Richard Armitage plays the brave warrior Thorin. Evangeline Lilly steals scenes as a hot warrior elf who is as good a fighter as any. Benedict Cumberbatch voices Smaug the massive fierce dragon. While it isn't Lord of the Rings: Return of the King it never desolates too far into absurdity. Score: 7 / 10