Thoroughly enjoyable if seen with no expectations for plot loyalty.

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2013)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is thoroughly enjoyable if you go in without any expectations. Just the fact that they've broken up the book The Hobbit into three separate movies gave me the notion to expect the worst in terms of staying loyal to the plot line. With this in mind, I found this second installment of The Hobbit to be quite entertaining. The writers use the original story of The Hobbit as a basic framework, and then expand on it with added characters, sub-plots, and action scenes. All of these additions, though unnecessary to the original story, add some color and pizazz to The Hobbit that makes for an entertainment-packed film. There is action, suspense, witty dialogue, comedy, and even a little romance. As long as you can view this movie as a completely separate entity from the book, what's not to like?
My only real criticism with this film (and the first Hobbit film), is that the special effects team went a little overboard with the action sequences. What were complex battle scenes and stunts that looked realistic in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, are now obviously computer- generated, video game-like scenes that go on a bit longer than is necessary. Do audiences require so much stimulation these days? Is having Legolas shoot orcs while balancing on a dwarf's head while floating down a river really required? In these moments I was taken out of the fantasy. Although fun to see, they just aren't believable, and personally I want at least a tiny element of realism in this fantasy- filled film.
Other than that though, I recommend fantasy and LOTR lovers alike to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The two hours and forty-one minutes goes by pretty fast. Get lost in Middle Earth.