Hugely entertaining

Rating: 9/10 (13 December 2013)

Hugely entertaining. Plot is fast-paced and much more interesting than the first one. Characters are very well developed - we are now beginning to see the gentle Baggins show shades of grey as the invisibility ring starts to get a hold of him. Thorin too, shows signs of greed.
Lots of funny moments and dialogues. A stunning scene is when Baggins is face-to-face with Smaug, and is at once hapless and sharp. This was Baggins at his most vulnerable...and to watch him pander to Smaug was simply hilarious. Voicing by Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug was just fabulous...not does he look terrifying, but he SOUNDS equally menacing. All in all, highly recommend watching this in the theatres.