Smaug needs a Smog Check

Rating: 7/10 (15 December 2013)

I like Peter Jackson. I like long movies. I like the Tolkien subject matter of LOTR or Lord of The Rings. This is not any of the above correctly. I just finished watching LOTR and it holds. It is one of the greats and I have the extended version which is the only way to take this in. This 2nd part of the Hobbit movie is worth the price of a ticket for nearly 3 hours of entertainment. But it is not a classic now nor will it hold its own over time. It currently rules the movie theaters quite well because quite frankly there isn't too much quality out there. Oh a good movie comes and goes now and again but not enough of them for my likes. Now as to this move: It appears that there is so much to fight over and about in middle earth and those fights last too long and are over done. You cannot help but wonder how lucky the fighters are because if they made one mistake, there would be NO second chance. They never make enough mistakes. Furthermore, I hate when you see a good movie that is based on Sci-Fi or a comic book adventure lets say and then when something that is unbelievable takes place and suspends your common sense, everyone is quick to point out its only a movie and in this world that is what happens. Cop out is how it comes across to me. At least don't make it so blatant. These Dwarfs should have died about 50 times already. Now, as to this dragon. Smart, egotistical, arrogant, powerful and the ruler of all he surveys until you push his buttons and he then acts like an angry drunk in a bar. Furthermore, he talks so much gibberish in general that he should apply for a teaching credential or a PHD at the least on saying so much without making sense. I have no doubt he can fly fast, breath fire and wreck havoc, but too talky for my tastes. This movie is part of a 3 part movie release strategy that when done will bring in billions of dollars. They must have lined up around the block and begged to invest in these movies. That is my point. It is a money machine and at the same time is trying to please the audience. All I am saying is it is overdone on being a first class movie as the marketing would have you believe. Why it didn't reach the LOTR quality is frankly because the money took precedence. It happened with King Kong too. Jackson was pressured while being humored to get it done and the movie suffered for it. I couldn't figure out how someone who loved the original King Kong and who had money and connections could blow a chance to make it immortal like the first one. Money & time as in return on the money won out. Also, this writing team is talented but a word of warning. That doesn't mean everything they write about will be a first class hit. These three movies were shot all at once and then someone just took a editing knife and sliced it into threes. Yes, go see this movie because for the time and the ticket price, it works. But it is not a can't wait to see again type movie just like the first one isn't either. Yes I will see the last segment because I will need closure for the series. It is my hope that people in the movie industry who have resources do not forget or forsake their first love which was movie making and cut corners and make this a too money centered business. Easy on the drinks when you go to a theater because of no bathroom breaks. Popcorn recommended and favorite candy for a premium experience