The Lord of the Rings trilogy told an epic story, filled with adventure and when The Hobbit trilogy was announced people were expecting the same. Last year’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey did not manage to match those expectations. Although I did enjoy it, the movie felt too long, with not much happening. As someone who has not read the books a lot felt like filler. It is not a movie I am tempted to revisit. Now having seen the second movie I would almost be inclined to say that most of the first movie could have been scrapped with only some small portions added to this one. If you have not seen the first one you could easily see this second film and not miss out on much. The hobbit and the dwarf continue their journey to reclaim the city of the dwarves.
I once again saw this movie in the format director Peter Jackson intended, 3D HFR. I have read that he listened to the criticism many people had about things looking like a BBC drama and added some filters to make it look more like film. The look is slightly different, but if you were not a fan of HFR the first time I doubt this will change your mind. Personally though I love the format as everything feels crisper and more real and 3d movement does not turn into a blur. Everything is much easier to follow.
This second Hobbit movie is a lot better than the first one. There are no moments where I felt bored and the movie has lots of action sequences. One in particular including barrels being a personal favorite. Although the movie is three hours I never felt it was that long and I was surprised when the credits suddenly appeared. If the third one manages to keep that momentum going it will be an exciting final movie to close of this trilogy.
Good review. I agree that it was better than the first, as it doesn’t lag so much in terms of movements. I need to watch it again though, I was pretty much preoccupied on what part will the movie get cut.
I never thought about when it would be finishing, but if you are I can imagine that you watch it in a slightly different way.
I have to start catching up with the Hobbit series. Have yet to even watch the first. This was a well written review, that made me want to finally sit down and give the first one a chance! I know, I know, you said that the first could have been cut, but as a movie buff, I just know it will end up bothering me that I skipped it.
Thanks. You should check them out, although like I say I would not want to rewatch the first one 🙂
Nice work man, I really thought this film was an improvement on Unexpected Journey, and the Smaug sequences towards the end will obliterate my home theater on Blu later this year!!!
Thanks Rodney, it was an improvement indeed. Yeah, those sequences surely will test your system 🙂
I thought An Unexpected Journey had way more heart, and appreciation for dialogue and surroundings. The Desolation of Smaug was just filled to the brim with cheesy sub-plots and underwhelming action sequences. Its saving grace for me was the powerful Smaug sequence, and the cringe-inducing spiders 🙂
Great review Nostra!
It shows that each person can appreciate different things about a film.
Thanks Ben!
While I can see Nostra’s arguments, that An Unexpected Journey for the general understanding of the main story isn’t really necessary, I have to agree with Ben, that I prefer “Unexpected Journey”, for the reasons he mentions, more heart, and appreciation for dialogue and surroundings. Smaug to me felt a bit empty emotionally, but was impressive for the dragon climax.
Maybe if I was the director I would take most of Hobbit 1, and fuse it with wine barrel chase and that dragon ending 🙂 I think we agree on Nostra that it should have been 1 movie instead of two, right?
Could have easily been two movies Chris, agree with you on that.
I was kinda as bored with this one as with the first one. I liked new Elves but the whole story still seems like it’s way too little for 3 movies for me.
I did not have the feeling with this second one that there was a lot of filler.
Pretty much completely on board with this well written review buddy. Jackson’s got away with it and, against my better judgement, I’m looking forward to There and Back Again.
WOw, thanks man. I can’t wait to see the third movie either.
Great review,I agree with pretty much everything you said. A good improvement on the first one and looks amazing.
Thank mummbles, happy to hear you feel the same.
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This one disappointed me more than the first. Sadly, I got bored and nodded off a couple of times. For just a couple of seconds here and there.
The barrel sequence went on for far too long in my opinion and it felt like there wasn’t really any momentum in the film.
I nodded off during the first one 🙂 I thought the barrel sequence was too short as I loved that bit 🙂 We have different opinions on this one Jaina.
Good to hear you enjoyed this one Nostra! I thought it was great entertainment and it now bodes well for a final exciting installment.
Yeah, it really makes me look forward to the final installment.