The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Movie Name: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Peter Jackson

Stars: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Graham McTavish, Dean O'Gorman, Aidan Turner, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

A year has passed, and Peter Jackson returns with his second feature in the epic three part that is "The Hobbit". Whereas the first film introduced us to the main characters of the story, the second one follows them as their quest becomes filled with additional menace and new accomplices and foes reveal themselves. Bilbo and the group of dwarves continue their quest to reach the mountain, and they are aware that they have a powerful enemy on their pursuit. This enemy, Sauron, who commands the legions of Orcs, wants them all killed. It ends up being the elves who saves this crew, who ultimately make their way to the mountain, where they have to face the monstrous Smaug, the dragon.
Peter Jackson is an extremely talented storyteller. As usual in his features, a lot of references from classic films that shaped his vision as a filmmaker, permeates through the frames on screen (that was apparent in his adaptation of "King Kong"). The world of the Hobbit is of course one that he knows from his previous adaptations of Tolkien books. Where this film showcases his talent, is not only in the incredible sophistication of the special effects (that are stunning), but how seamlessly the bigger action set pieces co-exist with the more intimate ones where the actors get to breathe life into these fantastical creatures. The film is beautifully shot, and it's an overall exciting venture through a universe the director knows better than anyone. Though one can say this feels like an exhausted theme and universe, what Peter Jackson puts on screen is stunning and superbly well crafted. Worth watching.