Synopsis

The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. All the while Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.

Review

Any Middle-Earth movie is a thing of grandeur and spectacle. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is no exception. Full to the brim with epic action sequences, sweeping vistas, and huge stakes, it is an unstoppable thrill ride from beginning to end. The intimidating running time of 161 minutes flies by, perhaps more quickly than any other Middle-Earth entry. However, The Desolation of Smaug does fall foul of a number of flaws common with its counterparts. It is fatuous and sometimes messy. Happily these flaws cannot halt the beast, which has to go down as yet another classic adventure. Continue reading →