I've always been very interested in the Middle-earth universe.
It was a sequel with more action and more battles than the first part, as in the LOTR series, they first slow down and then the pulse increases in the later parts.
The master director started exactly where we left off and continued to narrate the work through the dynamics of the first film, again, thanks to Bilbo's rescue from seemingly impossible places, an Elven community that we know from the Lord of the Rings, at least here Legolas and Tauriel are well involved and make a slight difference, so the pleasure of watching increases a little more.
Finally, Bilbo's interesting conversation with a technological creature and the scenes with the Dragon as expected are the best parts of the movie. This time it is not a very long introduction or the expectations are shifting towards a more fairy tale work than the Lord of the Rings, and it progresses in a gripping way without ever getting bored. Of course, the bloodless conflict scenes, exaggerations and inconsistencies that caught my eye in the first movie are also here. But as I said, the point of comparison is no longer the legendary trilogy, the important thing is to be able to enjoy a new trilogy where we can see and live in Middle-earth.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the second installment in Peter Jackson's trilogy adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved fantasy novel, The Hobbit. Set in Middle Earth, the film follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), a hobbit who is enlisted by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to assist a group of dwarves in reclaiming their homeland from the fearsome dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). Along the way, they encounter a variety of creatures, including giant spiders, orcs, and elves, as well as the human warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the elf princess Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly).
The film begins with Bilbo and the dwarves on the run from the orcs, who are in pursuit of a powerful stone known as the Arkenstone. After narrowly escaping, they continue on their journey to the Lonely Mountain, where the dwarves hope to reclaim their homeland and the treasure that lies within. Along the way, they encounter the elf Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and his father, Thranduil (Lee Pace), who are on a mission to reclaim a lost elf colony.
As they journey closer to the Lonely Mountain, they must also contend with the giant spiders of Mirkwood Forest and the treacherous Gollum (Andy Serkis), who has his own agenda for the Arkenstone. Eventually, they reach the Lonely Mountain and confront the dragon Smaug, who has been guarding the treasure for centuries.
The Middle Earth landscape is brought to life with intricate detail and the creatures, particularly Smaug, are incredibly lifelike and convincing. The action sequences are intense and thrilling, and the overall atmosphere of the film is immersive and captivating.
The cast is also top-notch, with standout performances from Freeman as the unlikely hero Bilbo and Cumberbatch as the formidable Smaug. Armitage also shines as the proud and determined Thorin, and Lilly's Tauriel is a welcome addition to the film, bringing a much-needed female presence to the predominantly male cast. Serkis, as always, is excellent as Gollum, bringing depth and complexity to the character through motion capture performance.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a solid middle chapter in the trilogy. It is visually impressive and features strong performances from its cast, but its lengthy runtime and crowded narrative hold it back from being a true standout. Fans of the book and the first film will enjoy this continuation of Bilbo's journey, but newcomers may struggle to fully invest in the expansive world and characters.