Better than the first..

Rating: 7/10 (29 December 2013)

This film was never going to be equivalent to the Lord of the Rings, yet unfortunately that is why I have found fault in it. The epic scales of LOTR could never be matched in the Hobbit, and though the second adventure of the dwarfs did increase in action and thrilling suspense, with Smaug's presence being graciously welcomed, it feels far too childish in comparison to LOTR. Perhaps my growing tastes have influenced my review, in that growing up with LOTR and growing older tastes when the Hobbit was released meant I couldn't appreciate it with the same fervour a child would. However it feels that these films seem to garner a lot more humour, and lack the subtlety with which was found in LOTR, not that this is a bad thing, some viewers might find the light heartedness necessary, but for me I feel it detracts from the story. Once again, this film feels like it is lengthened unnecessarily, and the source material extrapolated to create a far more expansive universe than there should be, at a push this could be a duology, not a trilogy.