LOTR experience relived, much better that the prequel 'An unexpected journey'

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2013)

I have not read any of the LOTR or Hobbit books, but I am a big fan of the LOTR movies.
After watching 'The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey', I did not have great expectations from this sequel. However, within 10 minutes into the movie I felt much better. It is much more creative and more entertaining at various levels. The Lord of the Rings experience was back and I would even say The Hobbit : desolation of Smaug has taken entire LOTR package to another level.
The movie begins with Gandalf meeting Thorin at 'The Prancing Pony' pub at Bree, same place where the hobbits in LOTR will meet Aragorn. Gandalf convinces Thorin to go to the Lonely Mountain to fetch Arkenstone and lead the 7 dwarf kingdoms into a battle and this fetching the Arkenstone is what this sequel is all about. Thorin is then seen journeying with other dwarfs and Gandalf towards the lonely mountain. Midway, at the forest gate Gandalf parts ways with the Dwarfs+Hobbit company and advices them to 'not leave the path' as they cross the forest. While crossing the forest the Dwarfs lose the path and are attacked by a group of giant spiders (similar to the one 'Shelob' seen in LOTR 3). The scene where Bilbo looks down the canopy to discover the spiders till towards the end the elves come (Legolas and Tauriel) is intense and keeps you glued to your seat.
The dwarfs are captured by the Elves and imprisoned. We are introduced to a younger Legolas who likes Tauriel. During the captivity, Bilbo had used the ring to stay invisible and later comes to rescue the dwarfs. The entire escape scene starting from dwarfs entering the barrels till the end of fight amongst orcs, elves(Legolas and Tauriel) and dwarfs is one of THE BEST fight scenes ever. I repeat it is one of the best fight scenes ever in the movies. There is good humor in the movie and introduced at places and in ways that seems extremely welcome.
After the escape from Elvish town the Dwarf Company meets Bard, who is introduced as a man trying to feed his family. He agrees to help the dwarfs in exchange for money. After entering the lake town the movie slows down a bit, and probably the slightly boring parts of the movie are during this time. However during this time the audience is told about the prophecy and other essential elements of the story take place. The last scenes of using the furnaces to melt gold and casted into a giant statue to kill Smaug the dragon is one of the best in CGI. The entire treasure scene with fights and runs is stunning graphics. The golden dragon emerging out of cave and then flying into the sky dusting off the solidified gold from its body looks brilliant. The movie ends with a good 5 second pause when Smaug escapes, with clear intention of destroying the lake village.
Some expectations have already been build up during this movie for the sequel to come. Bard should play a lead role in killing the Dragon. The Black Arrow remains hidden on a boat. The budding love between Tauriel and Kili will have some impact in the future. The talks of a war that is being raged are already there. Sauron is growing powerful. The Dragon has escaped. Arkenstone may, or may not have been picked by Bilbo. Lets wait for the next and find out.
Great movie and good entertaining 3 hours.