The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug ****
The second film in The Hobbit trilogy was always going to have its work cut out to be a worthy piece of cinema in its own right, with Peter Jackson and team trying to give the fans what they want, while keeping focus and excitement brewing for the finale, There And Back Again next year. Jackson seems to have achieved the latter with some white-knuckle action moments and a world of imagination in The Desolation of Smaug. Indeed, it picks up where An Unexpected Journey left off and is always going to be seem as elaborate ‘padding’, but it’s watchable padding all the same that holds the attention.
Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and the dwarves, led by Thorin (Richard Armitage) continue on their quest to reach Erebor, the dwarf homeland, and reclaim it from Smaug, a dragon that ferociously defends their inheritance. Along the way they get unexpected help from elf and man alike, making new allies in the fight against growing evil.
This film is very much a Bilbo showcase of bravery, with Freeman gurning in defiant mood as the diminutive hero, with a little help from his ‘precious’ ring. His is the only character development evident in the second film, what with Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) very much out of the picture fighting his own sorcery battles. The dwarves are more of a collective team effort in this or ‘fighting troop’, with a smaller, standout role for Kili (Aidan Turner) to highlight the introduction of elf warrior beauty Tauriel (played with grace and confidence by Evangeline Lilly) who in turn gives back-story to Orlando Bloom’s Legolas character (who is featured very sparingly here).
That said there are a lot of thrills to be had with the film’s action sequences, including a white-water-barrelling escape from Rivendell/Misty Mountains. The dragon confrontation at the end also looks golden and sumptuous on screen, with echoes of Aliens/Terminator combat tactics to enjoy. What is lacking in individual film story arc is very much made up in design and imagination, energised by an ever-present tension. Those who are a tad arachnophobic may be wise to shut their eyes tight in one scene in the forest as the multiple-legged monsters send chills up your spine.
Overall, Smaug is a vast improvement on the first film that was very touch and go; tedious at the start in the Baggins abode and desperately relying on the orc battle scenes to bring us back to the table. Thankfully, bloated bit and artistic story licence aside, we are plunged into the journey and the action in this film that it satisfies and gets us in place for the concluding episode, rather than wallowing in character development perhaps? Nevertheless, a little more – or further – introduction would have been welcome so that we really do know what makes our heroes and their allies’ collaborations tick in the ultimate battle ahead. It is the stuff of big-screen Tolkien though, with much to feast on.
4/5 stars
By @FilmGazer
