JAY'S REVIEW:
It's fitting that this first review I'm writing for this new venture is for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Filmmaker Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy remains to me one of my favorite examples of when studio commitment and creative genius came together to deliver something wholly unique in cinema history. It is one of the reasons I like to watch and write about movies. So, I can't think of a more suited choice for my first piece on this site.
As many who have read J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels, I find it nearly impossible to not bring baggage as a fan of the books into the movie theater with me. Avoiding comparison is an exercise in futility. For me, Jackson could not have done a better job adapting Professor Tolkien's masterpiece, Lord of the Rings for the big screen. He cut, expanded and added in all the right places, staying faithful to the author's vision while also understanding that this was a book with volumes that needed a bit of "tightening".
It was inevitable that Jackson would return to adapt Tolkien's first novel that took place in Middle Earth, The Hobbit. Unlike LOTR, this is a much shorter, tighter, and more childlike adventure novel. Sure, it has a few moments of darkness, but taken as a whole, The Hobbit is a whimsical fantasy tale that kids have read for generations.
For whatever reasons, Peter Jackson decided that he wanted to take this roughly 300-page book and spread it out over 3 long films called, in order: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and There and Back Again. Was it the studio who pushed for it, seeing a mountain of gold of their own (sorry for the unnecessary metaphor)? Was it Jackson, himself, wanting to pull out all the stops to prove he could top the monumental achievement he had already accomplished a decade ago? Probably both, and other reasons as well. I knew one thing for sure: that the creative team behind this venture would have to add a lot to the somewhat compact narrative of The Hobbit in order to fill in all the gaps.
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| The dwarves of Erebor finally return home in Peter Jackson's second installment of The Hobbit. Hopefully, that big dragon isn't expecting company! |
Well, I'm happy to say that the second film in the trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug, doesn't suffer at all from any drawn out exposition. Even at 2 hours 40 minutes, there doesn't seem to be an ounce of fat on it. After a quick prologue, set in a familiar inn, in a familiar town, we pick up right where we left off with the company of Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), after having successfully escaped Azog, the pale orc and his warg-riders. The film follows the rest of Bilbo's and the dwarves' journey to the Lonely Mountain. On the way, they narrowly escape from a horde of vicious giant spiders in the depths of Mirkwood Forest, only to be captured by the king of the wood elves, Thanduril (Lee Pace). After some clever use of his new mysterious ring, Bilbo helps the dwarves escape in an exciting barrel chase scene, only to meet a new friend in Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans), who helps them sneak into Laketown, a city close to the base of the mountain.
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| Oakenshield and his dwarves are taken prisoner by Thanduril and taken to the legendary wooden elves' Mirkwood Forest kingdom. |
Finally, in the film's climactic final third act, we see Bilbo attempt to fulfill his contract as the company's resident "burglar" -- to steal back the precious Arkenstone and come face-to-face with the fearsome dragon, Smaug. This is where the movie really shines for me. Smaug is the best digital creature creation I've seen since . . . . well, Gollum. I found him not only to be gargantuan and terrifying but also majestic and beautiful in his self-serving, prideful way. As Bilbo tells him, "Truly the songs and tales fall utterly short of your enormity, O Smaug the Stupendous." I mean, I knew he was going to be awesome, but I didn't know he was going to be f#^*king awesome! Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek Into Darkness) was an excellent choice to voice "the greatest of calamities" as well. His voice bellows through the cavernous chambers of Erebor.
A familiar face returns in the elf Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Jackson has taken the liberty of writing in a new character, Turiel (Evangeline Lilly) to provide a possible love story, and a strong female that is non-existent in the male-dominated source material. I guess my only gripe is that the introduction of Turiel -- and her affections for both Legolas and the dwarf Kili -- seemed a bit forced. Especially the scene where the she-elf saves the ailing Kili, who was poisoned by an orc arrow, by applying a medicinal weed to his wound, a nearly identically shot moment that copies the scene from Fellowship of the Ring where young Frodo (Elijah Wood) is saved the same way by Arwen (Liv Tyler). It was a rare moment where I felt Jackson went too far, and the Turiel/Kili subplot should have been left on the cutting room floor.
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| Not originally found in the novel, Jackson added Turiel (Lilly) and Legolas (Bloom) to the story, as well as a bit of a love triangle. |
Overall, The Desolation of Smaug is an improvement in many ways over its predecessor. Its a return to form for Peter Jackson, and it will provide fans of the book and earlier films all they could want from an epic adventure story about a little hobbit and very big dragon ... and everything that happens in between.
Matt's Take:
Maybe it's the holiday season but I have to say that I couldn't agree more with Jay's review! I cannot express enough of how unimpressed I was with An Unexpected Journey; it is noticeably absent from my "Top Films of 2012" list. I too am wondering why Jackson decided to take a 300-page book and stretch it out to three films, but if I had to guess, I'd say it have to do with dollar signs. I understand Jackson wanted to make the dwarf characters more developed but I still feel more could have been cut from Journey. And when I found out Warner Bros. was inevitably releasing an extended version of that film on DVD, I truly wondered what more Jackson could have added to a film series that already has added material not originally released in the book. Now, I'll admit that if it were a Star Wars extended edition, I would buy any version in a millisecond. But I'm not a big enough LOTR geek to shell out an extra $20-$30 for a film I wasn't crazy enough about in the first place!
If filmmaker Kevin Smith thought LOTR was a film where all the characters did "was walk," he must have had a field day with critiquing Journey. (WARNING: VERY EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)
Fortunately, with Smaug, Jackson gets back on track to what made his Lord of the Ring films so great and fun. I would easily see (and buy) an extended version of this film! The addition of the love triangle between Legolas, Turiel, and Kili doesn't really bother me as it did not take central focus of the story (not yet, anyway!), and the addition of Gandalf's visit to Dol Guldur is very welcomed as I greatly approve of Jackson's tying this film series to his masterpiece LOTR series. As for the dragon Smaug, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, he met every expectation I had; then again, I'm a little biased because, when it comes to Cumberbatch, I'm a BIG fan of his (if you have not seen his Sherlock on BBC yet, I immediately order you to Netflix, rent, or buy the first two seasons)!
To me, whereas the only real highlight of Journey was the meeting between Bilbo (Freeman) and Gollum (Serkis), in Smaug, the highlight was the barrel river ride/fight scene. Seeing Legolas in action was a sight to behold just like in the LOTR films, and even seeing what fighting these dwarves could do in such a tight situation gave me a newfound respect for them and The Hobbit franchise. Up until this movie, I found the movie series and the book to be not that impressive simply because I didn't quite care for the dwarves or their plight. To me, I had the same belief that Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt), the "skin-changer," has: "I do not care much for dwarves. They do not think of anything that they feel is beneath them."
Nevertheless, a great movie that is a must-see for the holiday season!
JAY & MATT
WARNING: May contain spoilers!
JAY: So, my first question for you is . . . have you read the books?
MATT: I read your review and have to say I agree with it! Yes, I've read the book!
JAY: Thanks! I really liked the movie, but not without a few quibbles.
Like I said in my review. The Turiel/Kili thing kind of bothered me.
MATT: It didn't really bother me. I didn't feel it was a main focus ... not yet, anyway!
JAY: Maybe I'm just getting cynical, but I was like . . . . really, do we need this?
JAY: I agree. Journey was bogged down. Did you see this in 3-D?
MATT: No, didn't see it in 3-D! To me, that's a technology that's more of a trend or gimmick rather than a helpful filmmaking technique.
JAY: I feel the same. I am not a fan. Only 2 movies have been must sees in 3-D: Hugo and Gravity.
JAY: He was spectacular!
MATT: Yeah, and they're trying to kill each other!
JAY: I think Freeman is sooooo good in this and Journey.
JAY: I was also intrigued by the changes made with Bilbo's use of the ring.
MATT: I thought it was really cool when he could understand the spiders while he was wearing the ring.
JAY: Yeah, that in particular was nice. In the book there is no inkling of the ring's evil. It is just a magic ring Bilbo finds that makes him invisible.
JAY: Well, I hated Pacific Rim. It was not my cup of tea. But the guy who made Pan's Labyrinth making this would be very interesting!
MATT: Pacific Rim was the WORST movie of the year!
JAY: Yeah, I may agree with you on Pacific Rim. But I always thought Del Toro's sense of whimsy was more pronounced than Jackson's and would compliment this book well.
MATT: I think we're in agreement that, out of a movie to go see during the holiday season, Desolation of Smaug is a must-see!
I guess Jackson needed to put something in for the ladies to connect with, huh?
MATT: I think it never hurts to put a strong female lead in a film ... especially when it's a mostly male-dominated movie!
JAY: Ok, now you're gonna make me sound like a male pig!! Ha, ha!!
MATT: No! What bothers me more was how the entire series started! "Journey" was awful (notice it didn't make my "Top films of 2012" list!
JAY: I liked Evangeline Lilly in it. Thought she was great. I just thought it would be a romantic relationship between her and Legolas. The Kili thing came out of left field for me.
MATT: That did feel a little forced because it's as if Jackson's trying to make some moral statement about how "love knows no bounds." That's not in the book, and it doesn't really need to be in the film because it doesn't serve any purpose but to add extra drama.
JAY: Exactly! Back to Journey. I didn't dislike it as much as you. I would never call it "awful". It suffered in the beginning but got much better going on.
MATT: I think it never hurts to put a strong female lead in a film ... especially when it's a mostly male-dominated movie!
JAY: Ok, now you're gonna make me sound like a male pig!! Ha, ha!!
MATT: No! What bothers me more was how the entire series started! "Journey" was awful (notice it didn't make my "Top films of 2012" list!
JAY: I liked Evangeline Lilly in it. Thought she was great. I just thought it would be a romantic relationship between her and Legolas. The Kili thing came out of left field for me.
MATT: That did feel a little forced because it's as if Jackson's trying to make some moral statement about how "love knows no bounds." That's not in the book, and it doesn't really need to be in the film because it doesn't serve any purpose but to add extra drama.
JAY: Exactly! Back to Journey. I didn't dislike it as much as you. I would never call it "awful". It suffered in the beginning but got much better going on.
It all goes back to stretching this books over 3 movies. Jackson is walking a tight rope.
The beginning was bound to suffer.
Question: Which is your favorite of the LOTR Trilogy?
MATT: Journey surely had its moments but it seemed like a job when it came to watching that film.
MATT: I could see that but I wouldn't compare Fellowship to being as slow as Journey! MATT: Journey surely had its moments but it seemed like a job when it came to watching that film.
As for my favorite LOTR film, Return of the King!
JAY: See, that makes sense. Mine is Fellowship of the Ring. I tend to like beginnings more than endings. I liked its slower pace and intimate feel.
JAY: See, that makes sense. Mine is Fellowship of the Ring. I tend to like beginnings more than endings. I liked its slower pace and intimate feel.
JAY: I agree. Journey was bogged down. Did you see this in 3-D?
MATT: No, didn't see it in 3-D! To me, that's a technology that's more of a trend or gimmick rather than a helpful filmmaking technique.
JAY: I feel the same. I am not a fan. Only 2 movies have been must sees in 3-D: Hugo and Gravity.
I saw this in 2-D as well. And I think it suffers.
Jackson shot it in a high frame rate for 3-D so when you watch it in 2-D some parts look really fake.
Journey was the same.
The barrel chase in particular looked fake.
MATT: That's
the thing with these films, though. Of course, we know they're fake but
I thought the barrel chase scene was the best thing about this
installment!
We
can't really comment on technology on these films as they've already
been marveled over, but the story and pacing was much better in Smaug
than its predecessor.
I mean, let's call The Hobbit films (and book) out for what it really is: a prequel!
JAY: Agreed! But, do you think the barrel chase scene is better than the scene with Smaug!?
JAY: Agreed! But, do you think the barrel chase scene is better than the scene with Smaug!?
MATT: Maybe I just like seeing orc-killing and Legolas' kickass fighting moves! But, don't get me wrong, Smaug was great!
It was the only moment I wish I was seeing it in 3-D.
MATT: Of course! Looks who was portraying Smaug. Cumberbatch did motion capture for it as well!
JAY: Cumberbatch was a perfect choice. Ironic that he is reunited with his Sherlock co-star. Ha, ha!
MATT: Of course! Looks who was portraying Smaug. Cumberbatch did motion capture for it as well!
JAY: Cumberbatch was a perfect choice. Ironic that he is reunited with his Sherlock co-star. Ha, ha!
JAY: I think Freeman is sooooo good in this and Journey.
He was the obvious choice. Did
you the know he was Jackson's only choice? They had to stop filming his
scenes for 3 months in order to let him go back to England to film the
2nd season of Sherlock.
MATT: Makes sense! And they did the best thing for the films by doing that. Freeman's another actor I like a lot and think is very underrated. What will be interesting is how the Bilbo/Oakenshield conflict will be played out in a just-under 3-hour movie in the next installment. I like how they teased it in Smaug.
JAY: Yeah. The Battle of Five Armies will be awesome.
MATT: Makes sense! And they did the best thing for the films by doing that. Freeman's another actor I like a lot and think is very underrated. What will be interesting is how the Bilbo/Oakenshield conflict will be played out in a just-under 3-hour movie in the next installment. I like how they teased it in Smaug.
JAY: Yeah. The Battle of Five Armies will be awesome.
What did you think of the scenes with Gandalf in Dol Guldur?
MATT: I LOVED them. Adding them in was a much-welcomed addition as they perfectly tie in the inevitable events of the LOTR story. I think if Jackson had not included them, most fans would ask, "Hey, how did all of this evil come into the land without a so-called powerful wizard like Gandalf not noticing?"
MATT: I LOVED them. Adding them in was a much-welcomed addition as they perfectly tie in the inevitable events of the LOTR story. I think if Jackson had not included them, most fans would ask, "Hey, how did all of this evil come into the land without a so-called powerful wizard like Gandalf not noticing?"
At least, that's what I would be asking.
What about you?
JAY: I'm with you. The reveal of Sauron was just great. Guess we should throw a spoiler warning up there. I showed the growing threat and how much worse it is than Smaug. Would have liked more Radagast the Brown, though! I love Sylvester McCoy!!
JAY: I'm with you. The reveal of Sauron was just great. Guess we should throw a spoiler warning up there. I showed the growing threat and how much worse it is than Smaug. Would have liked more Radagast the Brown, though! I love Sylvester McCoy!!
Bird-poop face is awesome!!
MATT: He's OK, but I like Bard (Luke Evans) and can't wait to see his role in the next movie!
MATT: I thought it was really cool when he could understand the spiders while he was wearing the ring.
JAY: Yeah, that in particular was nice. In the book there is no inkling of the ring's evil. It is just a magic ring Bilbo finds that makes him invisible.
Jackson was very subtle with how he hinted at its influence over Bilbo.
It wasn't forced.
MATT: See, I think that is crucial if you're tying all the stories together, which, I believe, is essential in a film series like this.
JAY: True. I liked when Smaug called it "precious". Nice touch.
MATT: Yes!
MATT: See, I think that is crucial if you're tying all the stories together, which, I believe, is essential in a film series like this.
JAY: True. I liked when Smaug called it "precious". Nice touch.
MATT: Yes!
JAY: One last thing I want to bring up. I can't help but
wonder how these movies would be different if Guillermo Del Toro made
them?
MATT: I almost shudder to think. Unlike you, I'm not a big Del Toro fan.
He was supposed to direct but bowed out when their was that prolonged fight over the rights between Warner Bros. and MGM.
JAY: Well, I hated Pacific Rim. It was not my cup of tea. But the guy who made Pan's Labyrinth making this would be very interesting!
MATT: Pacific Rim was the WORST movie of the year!
JAY: Yeah, I may agree with you on Pacific Rim. But I always thought Del Toro's sense of whimsy was more pronounced than Jackson's and would compliment this book well.
MATT: I think we're in agreement that, out of a movie to go see during the holiday season, Desolation of Smaug is a must-see!
It's just a minor setback that its first installment -- An Unexpected Journey -- was so slow.
JAY: Agreed!
JAY: Agreed!
Please feel free to let us know what you thought of the movie! Did you agree with us? Was it really spectacular in 3-D or does it not matter?
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