Got what I expected

Rating: 8/10 (29 December 2013)

When I heard that "The Hobbit" would be split into 3 movies, my first reaction was "how???" Obviously, they have strayed away from the book but I honestly don't mind that at all. I enjoyed "An Unexpected Journey" and I enjoyed "The Desolation of Smaug". They are what they are, an action/fantasy movie with fight sequences, CGI, and a few parts that make you laugh. I can see why people would be disappointed, after "The Lord of the Rings" did so good and followed the books for almost all of it, they probably expected the same here. I don't blame those people either, "The Hobbit" is a great book and the perception that it's being ruined is a valid point.
Speaking of those action scenes, I enjoyed them thoroughly. However, on three separate occasions (yes three) elves show up to save the day. It was too repetitive for my taste.
I also felt that for the movie being based on the dwarfs and Bilbo Baggins, they didn't have as much screen time as I thought they would. It's not until the last 25 minutes or so that they become the main story again. Leading up is Gandalf's journey elsewhere and a love story between an elf and a dwarf.
But back to the last 25 or so minutes, that's when the most interesting story is on screen. The conversation between Bilbo and Smaug is great and pretty funny to say the least. The rest of the film is the dwarfs and Bilbo trying to outsmart Smaug and essentially kill him.
The movie also ends sort of abruptly which might turn some fans off but what do you expect when it's a 3 part movie? It will probably disappoint the hardcore fans of the book but for a movie fan like myself, I had a good time and am looking forward to the third and final installment.