The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug review

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug catches up with Bilbo and his band of (not so) merry Dwarves in their quest to recapture their homeland, Erebor, from the gold obsessed dragon Smaug.

It is fair to say that the first Hobbit film had a somewhat mixed reaction. It was certainly a different kettle of fish, focusing more on laughs and, er, songs than the much loved Lord of the Rings films. This time round we return to eye-catching, swash-buckling action-adventure and the film works all the better for it.

We move, in a considerably accelerated pace, from one awe-inspiring set piece to another. One particular river set sequence is sure to stick to minds. These set pieces are improved with a healthy and welcomed injection of Legolas.

Fans of Tolkien’s tome will be quick to mention the fact that Legolas does not feature in the book but Peter Jackson has been smart here. Legolas’ role in the LOTR films was primarily as the bad-ass Orc slayer and he does not disappoint here bringing a much need dose of kick-assery to proceedings.

Unfortunately Legolas also finds himself involved in one of the weaker elements of the film. He is put in the middle of a very ill-conceived love-triangle between himself, Evangeline Lily’s awesome elf-ess, and Aiden Turner’s oddly handsome Kili. This element feels studio enforced so as to add a little romance to proceedings. The problem being that it is completely unbelievable and trivial.

There are some very enjoyable performances in this second outing. Martin Freeman is once again a delight as Bilbo as is McKellen in his fifth portrayal of Gandalf. New additions Thrandiul (Lee Pace) and Stephen Fry’s Master of Laketown also stand out here. But the star of the show is Bendict Cumberbatch’s Smaug. Cumberbatch brings his particular brand of wicked charm to an impressively imagined creature.

Luke Brookman