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THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
With Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, Orlando Bloom
Written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro (based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit)
Directed by Peter Jackson
The next phase in this epic (3-part) journey sees the dwarfs and Bilbo Baggins getting closer to fulfilling their quest of reclaiming the land of Erebor, which includes Bilbo having to slip into the dragon Smaug’s huge treasure filled cavern to retrieve an essential piece to their puzzle of victory. Amid fleeing and fighting enemies and Orcs, Bilbo also tries to come to grips and understand the power he holds with the ring.
Peter Jackson is so well-versed in this world that it’s probably done on auto-pilot (although I don’t know how many would take on this mammoth and daunting task). But where the Lord Of The Rings trilogy still managed to spark some excitement with the release of each installment, unfortunately here it doesn’t seem to stir much at all… and no, it’s not because I’m too old – I was hardly a child when the Rings movies came out. I think it is a case of those films having been so vast and unique, with such iconic characters and making such an indelible cinematic impact, that this almost feels like a regurgitation, with less impact.
Still, there is no way I will take away the creativity and massive effort that went into making this prequel trilogy, and is certainly not short on stunning visuals, complex characters, action and entertainment value – It’s just that magic is not there for me, the CGI world perceived merely as such (for the most part), the suspension of disbelief not always at play. It will however entertain millions who will love and re-watch it many times.
With Game Of Thrones bringing dragons back into the mainstream, here the title character is one imposing beast (that speaks), guarding its huge fortune of gold and jewels (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).
4 / B
- Paul Blom
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Lord Of The Rings saga reviews below:
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