MTV Review | The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Peter Jackson transports us back to a ferocious Middle Earth...

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - 12:27

UK Release Date: December 13 2013

Certificate: 12A

Running Time: 161 minutes

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lilly and more!

Director: Peter Jackson

Plot: The thirteen dwarves along with their ‘burglar’ Bilbo Baggins (Freeman) and Gandalf (McKellen), continue on their journey towards the Lonely Mountain where Thorin Oakenshield (Armitage) is determined to reclaim the Kingdom of Erebor and the vast treasure that resides within. Trouble is, there’s the small matter of a terrifying dragon by the name of Smaug (Cumberbatch) for them to slip past first. If only they had a mysterious ring of some sort that turns you invisible…oh wait.

Best Scene: Orlando Bloom returns as Legolas to the Tolkein franchsie in ass-kicking style with a stunning display of Orc-annihilating archery as the dwarves escape from their Elven imprisonment.

Scene Stealer: Magnificent and terrifying, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Smaug is well worth the wait. Graceful yet savage, mannered but menacing, step aside Gollum, we’ve found us a new CGI villain to rave about.

Best One Liner: “Da, why are there dwarves coming out of the toilet?”

Date Movie Or Mate Movie? There’s no time for back row shenanigans during this epic. Definitely one for you and your band of merry adventurers unless your date has a fondness for giant spiders…

WTF Moment: Speaking of arachnids, if you cringed in terror at Shelob in Return Of The King, we advise stepping out for lemonade as the company enter Mirkwood and encounter more than one oversized eight-legged beast. Hold onto your seat, especially if you’re watching in 3D!

Summary: In short - intense! Where the first installment languished in character exposition and, let’s face it, a lot of walking, The Desolation Of Smaug ramps up the action, peril and foreboding to edge-of-your-seat enjoyment.

Benedict Cumberbatch's Smaug is a ferocious triumph in vision, sound and feel, next to Freeman’s tiny, yet courageous Bilbo.

Lord Of The Rings enthusiasts will feel right at home as Peter Jackson once again brings Middle Earth to startling reality and this time it packs a punch.

MTV Rating:

By Michael Pell @mtvuknews

The Hobbit

MTV Review | The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

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