An improvement on the first outing

Rating: Null/10 (15 July 2016)

Bilbo Baggins, along with a group of dwarfs and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim the dwarf gold from a dragon.
Without making comparisons Tolkien's book this follow-up to the smouldering Hobbit is faster paced and is much more of a spectacle with some great set ups putting the adventure back on track even with its lengthy running time. It goes without saying the sets, costumes and music are fantastic and Jackson keeps quality consistent as the actors give it their all. The introduction of more Lord of the Rings characters takes the adventure into uncharted territory and director Peter Jackson offers more excitement and here the Middle Earth hijinks has all the mysterious and strange elements you'd expect from a fantasy saga.
Notable is the creepy oppressive forest segment where the company are ensnared by giant spiders and Bilbo must come to the rescue, the barrel escape sequence has plenty of action. Later Gandalf investigats the tombs of the Nazgûl and faces off with the Orcs. But act three finishes it off nicely where Bilbo faces Smaug and the Dwarfs try to retake mountain.
Jackson effortlessly offers incredible visuals and quality action. While not all the special effects are good as Smaug, the dragon, it ends on a cliff hanger leaving you eager for the final chapter in the trilogy.