The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 13, 2013
7.7
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Generally favorable reviews based on 1834 Ratings
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Negative:
134
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0
sarahjreanreadDec 13, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I LOVED the first film in this series. The Hobbit was a wonderful recreation of the first part of the book, with a few embellishments here and there that I endured. This, however, was a complete embarrassment to the Lord of the Rings series, J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson. I wanted to love it, I even forced myself to sit through the entire thing in theaters, but I just hate it. I would not take a copy of this home if you offered it to me for free, because I know watching it would only make me angry and disappointed all over again. As someone who has read all of the books and previous movies, this just felt like a pathetic excuse for a move today. This just felt like a "filler" film between two movies. Perhaps it was the producers being greedy, wanting 3 movies out of a book that is smaller than the smallest volume of the Lord of the Rings. However it happened, it was just disgraceful. More than half of the scenes were pulled straight out of thin air. Only a few were actually from the book this trilogy is supposed to be based on, like the barrels scene and Bilbo's talk with Smaug (although the sequence the followed was NOTHING like the book's version). What little plot that was included was embellished and out of order, and honestly were ruined for me by the imagined plots thrown into the film. On top of all that, this film had terrible pacing, and was outright cheesy at times. This was just a really, really sad excuse for a sequel. I wish they had just followed the book and stuck to two movies, the original plan. Not even sure if I am going to see the third one at this point, given the way this one turned out. Such a big fan of Tolkien's work and what Peter Jackson has done with his other novels, but this was just painful. Friends don't let friends who have read the book watch this move. Gets a 0/10 for me. I felt like not only did I waste my money, but I should have been paid to watch this poor excuse for a film.… Expand
20 of 36 users found this helpful2016
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2
annilitaDec 13, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I feel like this franchise has become a sacred cow that no one is allowed to speak ill of.
I don't see how any fan of the original story could be happy with either of the Hobbit films, but this one was simply terrible. Every great thing about this part of the book was removed and replaced with orc fights. EVERY great thing. The humor, the perseverance, everything.
The CGI was really hit or miss until they entered the mountain, which is when the movie really came into it's own, just in time to end 20 minutes later. At one point, they mixed in helmet-cam footage from a crappy camera going through some rapids with high def footage from other angles. It looked ridiculous.
The love story fell so flat, you're left wondering why they bothered.
There was ZERO pay off in this film. If Jackson wanted to drag it out, he should have stuck to two films and stayed closer to the source material, because his embellishments have been absolute rubbish.… Expand
16 of 36 users found this helpful1620
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0
PopinFRESHDec 13, 2013
If you are an actual fan of Tolkien you will be sorely disappointed with this movie. I thought Jackson took a little too much creative license in Part 1, however compared to Part 2 it would seem like Part 1 was letter for letter from theIf you are an actual fan of Tolkien you will be sorely disappointed with this movie. I thought Jackson took a little too much creative license in Part 1, however compared to Part 2 it would seem like Part 1 was letter for letter from the book. It's as if Jackson simply read the chapter titles and shot a movie with what he would think was in a chapter that could have such a title.

Jackson spends far too much time truncating interesting portions of the story simply so he can fit more "nowhere-in-the-book" action scenes in spots that should have been done in one cut. Barrels out of Bond is a perfect example of this. Jackson lacks the concept of building a story up to a climax and simply turns the dial to 11 the entire time.… Expand
18 of 43 users found this helpful1825
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3
m_eldersDec 13, 2013
I went into The Desolation of Smaug with low expectations and managed to be disappointed. Like many, I love The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but the prequel trilogy has yet to impress.

That’s not entirely true. Peter Jackson’s cameo made meI went into The Desolation of Smaug with low expectations and managed to be disappointed. Like many, I love The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but the prequel trilogy has yet to impress.

That’s not entirely true. Peter Jackson’s cameo made me laugh out loud. I also loved the visuals. My only complaint with An Unexpected Journey’s visuals was that the orcs looked totally different than they did in the LotR movies. Thankfully, the orcs (with the exception of that pale fellow and his chum) are back to their old menacing look and feel.

But TDoS does not impress in writing, acting, music, action sequences, or anything else.

Writing: If I had taken a drink every time there was a dramatic pause followed by some God-awful, stupid line, I might have given this review a higher score on account of being too inebriated to catch all the uninspired writing and nonsensical plot filler that littered the last half of the movie.

Acting: With how long this movie is, and with how much filler they squeezed in, it’s amazing to me that it never seemed like anyone had time to properly deliver a line of dialogue. Everything felt rushed. Questions bled into answers as if the characters knew what would be said before it was said. The emotions of the characters seemed either non-existent or so over the top that the viewer could not possibly relate.

Music: I didn’t notice it until the very end when I thought, “There’s music playing, isn’t there?” Any LotR fan knows this is a bad thing.

Action Sequences: These were my least favorite parts of the movie, and they took up about half of the time. I love a good action sequence when it’s done right. However, these are not. Half of the action was silly and cheesy, and the other half was boring (not quite half, actually, because I properly liked one bit of action: when that dwarf did a barrel roll, if you know what I mean). It was always predictable. “Predictable? That’s the nature of a prequel!” I hear you scream. Well then tell the writers to get the action over with fast so we can focus on, say, caring about the characters.

Anything Else: Smaug was stupid; he looked cliche-dragon, sounded cliche-deep-voice, and acted like an enemy in a bad action movie (coincidence???). The movie strayed far from the book. I mean, I’m not the sort to bad-mouth a movie because it’s different from the book, but I am one to bad-mouth a movie that ruins everything it touches in the book. Which in this case is everything.… Expand
21 of 51 users found this helpful2130
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0
phibbusDec 13, 2013
SPOILER ALERT! It stinks. END OF SPOILER.

Given that it's the same crap, part 2, this shouldn't come as any great shock. Jackson seems absolutely single-minded in his determination to prove just how much of a hare-brained mess he andSPOILER ALERT! It stinks. END OF SPOILER.

Given that it's the same crap, part 2, this shouldn't come as any great shock.

Jackson seems absolutely single-minded in his determination to prove just how much of a hare-brained mess he and his nincompoop, amateur writing staff can make of a movie in the last years of his career. Apparently following his lead, the worshipful geeks in the special effects shop have set the bar as low as it will go so as not to outshine the awful script. Music is again on a repeat loop from the first trilogy. This is canned movie hacking taken to the least of the least common denominators, and it's hard to imagine how it can get any worse in part 3.

But surely Jackson will find a way.… Expand
15 of 47 users found this helpful1532
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3
busbfranDec 28, 2013
I must admit I am a massive lord of the rings fan but the hobbit is a no no. Coming into this movie not expecting much I was blown away by the first half it was fun, exciting and had some decent sets. But after the chase down the river theI must admit I am a massive lord of the rings fan but the hobbit is a no no. Coming into this movie not expecting much I was blown away by the first half it was fun, exciting and had some decent sets. But after the chase down the river the movie to a turn for the worse and man if man it was dragged out. Myself and a friend fell asleep first time this has ever happened! some much was happening at once the story went a wire and is one of if not the most boring movie I have ever seen. Waste of 3 hours and money.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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0
EnaidMar 3, 2014
This movie was absolutely horrible!!! I love the first 2 films (they are my favorite), but this. My god, I couldn't wait for this movie to get over with. I just hated it!
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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3
v3ntDec 20, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I got fed up of Hobbits staring open mouthed, feeling faint & ogling over rings in the first trilogy I was looking forward Jackson pulling back on the clumsy and overstated references for the Hobbit series and refining his story telling somewhat. No such luck.

The book is actually quite funny and the characters and there interactions hold the story. They seem like a second thought in this movie. Why are they all so suspicious of each other all the time? It gets so boring and repetitive and doesn't follow true to the book. And instead of trying to tackle the more difficult parts of the story that a book can do easily he just inserts loads of action scenes or even voice overs. [spoilers ahead] The first trilogy really gave the impressions of them having to get somewhere far away whereas here there's no pace and they basically walk into a wood, got caught then floated down a river to the mountain. Its more like a 3 hour domino rally.

I was looking forward to Bilbo and Smaug having a chatter but was interrupted by the dwarves which was followed by another dodgy rollercoaster of an action scene to an abrupt ending.

The Hobbit series is also starting to undermine the LOTR trilogy with endless & pointless references to the great evil, Sauron & the ring which was barely mentioned in the hobbit book. No one knew anything about it at the start of LOTR. After this movie you'd think Gandalf and the rest would of put 2 2 together as about 60 years later they fight the same villain with the same name!

I'm honestly starting to thing that it was padded out and split into 3 films so he could make 33% more profits for next to nothing and also save a massive amount of time actually editing out all the nonsense.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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0
JohnArchonApr 8, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First of all, I'd like to apologise to my eyes for making them watch this garbage.
The book was fantastic, the 2 movies (so far) are crap.
The story has been changed so much that it's barely recognizable.
Did the script writers even READ the book?
Where did Legolas come from?
Orcs chasing the barrels down the river?
Orcs in Laketown?
The entire fight sequence between the dwarves and Smaug just didn't happen. Smaug was already dead by the time the dwarves went into Eribor.
I didn't know bard had kids? There were none in the book.
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
I'm sure that if J.R.R. was alive today, he'd be suing someone for the butcher job they did on his story.
If you insist on seeing it, may I suggest you go to your local video store and RENT it for $5.00… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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0
GBJohnApr 20, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First off, I guess I should give two scores. If you have not read the book, it's probably worth a 6 or 7 (and shame on you). If you have read the book, you might feel that I am being too generous. I believe that the screen writers MAY have heard of J. R. R. Tolkien from a friend or something. The relationship ends there. I can only hope that this series of movies will be remade by someone who actually cares about the story instead of the almighty dollar. I spent the entire second half of the movie shaking my head, muttering,"No, no, no! That didn't happen like that!" The only movies I have seen that butchered their source material this badly were Eragon and Kubrick's version of The Shining.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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0
IntroduceJun 15, 2014
The Hobbit: The Desolation of....whatever.
The final result of a trilogy dying on it's knees,
Who really ever never cared about a hobbit enough to devote 3 films
to there kind,
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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1
PuppetmanInBCDec 23, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie deviates so far from the book as to make it not really an adaptation. Peter Jackson has taken The Hobbit and turned it into a spectacle, adding violence and action where it didn't exist in the book. Legolas wasn't in The Hobbit, and he didn't slay 30 orcs inside Dale. And his female companion is also a new character and between herself and Legolas, they probably killed an entire army of orcs.

No dwarves were left behind in Dale they all went. No dwarves went looking for Bilbo as he went exploring into the halls of the Lonely Mountain the first time.

What was done well? The dragon, and that's about it. The rest of the movie was as subtle as an dwarven axe to the head. The gentleness of hobbits, the warm nuances of the book, were lost in this ridiculous pile of over exaggerated crap.

Avoid it it's ruined JRR Tolkien's legacy. Go and read the book to your kids instead.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
wishmasterJan 5, 2014
this movie disappointed me so catastrophically that have no desire to see the last part of this series, I can not believe that even the special effects did not fill me, the story was poor, regular performances.
The truth I'm giving you threethis movie disappointed me so catastrophically that have no desire to see the last part of this series, I can not believe that even the special effects did not fill me, the story was poor, regular performances.
The truth I'm giving you three because still rules the ghost of Lord of the Rings.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
Gil8ertJan 28, 2014
What George Lucas did to Star Wars pales into insignificance compared to what Peter Jackson has done to Middle Earth. There is so much ethereal mulch and noticeable CGI crammed into the visuals that it is almost impossible to be carried alongWhat George Lucas did to Star Wars pales into insignificance compared to what Peter Jackson has done to Middle Earth. There is so much ethereal mulch and noticeable CGI crammed into the visuals that it is almost impossible to be carried along on the journey because you can't believe they are on a journey, and it's certainly very difficult to make out uniquely discernible locations. Crammed full of not only tired movie cliches, but badly and needlessly re-used ideas from the LOTR films.
The script is awful and plodding and without any joy or bite, and the constant use of panoramic, sweeping camera shots was in the end both annoying and alienating.
It is a poor imitation of the LOTR films and a poor film in it's own right - ridiculously strung out for no apparent or rewarding reason.

Lastly - what these films have done to the story from the book is, for my money, nothing less than hateful. The Hobbit is a magical tale which has been decapitated and gutted until a thin, barely recognisable husk has remained. This second installment is worse than the first, which in itself should be a punishable crime.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
TroublewalkingApr 30, 2014
If your not a fan of the Hobbit series, don't waste your time watching this movie. It is by far the worse in the series.

If your a Hardcore Hobbit fan, this movie would have to be rated hypocrisy. This movie takes the way Disney changesIf your not a fan of the Hobbit series, don't waste your time watching this movie. It is by far the worse in the series.

If your a Hardcore Hobbit fan, this movie would have to be rated hypocrisy. This movie takes the way Disney changes stories to something unrecognizable, to whole new levels. Except Disney creates entertaining movies. At least half of the movie, has nothing to do with the actual Hobbit story.

My family and I had to laugh at how absurdly off this movie was. Half of the fun was making up more absurdly inaccurate Hobbit tales. Laughing at Jackson's "Desolation of the Hobbit" tale was the only reason I give this a 3.

The only reason to watch this movie, is because it uses more frame rates than most. This "Historical" factor, has to be the only reason "Movie fans" are rating it highly. However, most won't notice it, unless watching it on an absolutely top of the line system.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
roasterApr 12, 2014
I am so bitter after writing my first review of this film that I feel I have to add to it by assuming the great Ian Mckellen was asked to play down his acting ability so as not to undermine the other mediocre performances in both these filmsI am so bitter after writing my first review of this film that I feel I have to add to it by assuming the great Ian Mckellen was asked to play down his acting ability so as not to undermine the other mediocre performances in both these films ...I look forward greatly when I hear of a monumental fantasy film in the pipe line as they are far and few between....I hope a director with vision and the backing of a major studio have the balls between them to bring us another fantasy tour de force such as Terry Brooks shannara series or the fantastic works of Raymond E Feist.....IF YOU ARE LISTENING JACKO,GET YOUR HEAD OUT YOUR ARSE AND BRAIN BACK IN GEAR AND BEAT EM TO THE PUNCH… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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0
MacanoodoughJan 6, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I just cannot believe the downplaying of major characters, their complete omission in some cases and the addition of some of Peter Jackson's own invention. HE DID NOT WRITE THESE BOOKS! Therefore he has NO RIGHT to change them in this manner. Pivotal storyline changed and the timeline all screwed up! There's some 40 years between The Hobbit and LotR, this is establishing a much shorter timeline. I don't want to put spoilers in but seriously, he has destroyed Tolkeins legacy with this. Bilbo is as all Hobbits a innocent, that's why he DOES NOT keep the ring hidden. Gandalf suspects but until he investigates, he does not know for sure and Bilbo DOES NOT LIE!!!!! Beorn had such a great role in the book, but thanks to PJ, he's just an illtempered giant, Im surprised he left him in at all. And the Barrel scene!?!?! OMG, can you be setting up the next water park ride for that stupid village in NZ? The leap of faith is the fantasy world itself, but the aim of those barrels....SHEESH, I haven't seen aim like that since Liam shot every exploding barrel in France in "Taken", And this Michael Bay non stop CGI action?!?!?!?! WTF!!!!!! The last movie was Harry Potter, this one is Transformers. The Hobbit DID NOT get the Peter Jackson who did LotR, it got the King Kong crap artist! I apologize for the spoilers and the anger, but seriously, I am a huge fan of the books and a man spent his entire life sweating every detail of his world. This is not homage, this is pissing on his grave!… Expand
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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0
ScepticMay 1, 2014
Except for the following;Bilbo,Gandalf,Beorn,Dwarf-names,Spiders,Elf-King,Barrels,Laketown,Bard,Master,Key,Smaug,Arkenstone and a few other words,this disgrace has little to do with the great mans work.For the only time in my entire life,asExcept for the following;Bilbo,Gandalf,Beorn,Dwarf-names,Spiders,Elf-King,Barrels,Laketown,Bard,Master,Key,Smaug,Arkenstone and a few other words,this disgrace has little to do with the great mans work.For the only time in my entire life,as well as millions of others,I'm glad he is dead.This would have surely killed him to see.Pray Hollywood don't get their filthy hands on the Silmarillion...… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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1
ConorHatDec 23, 2013
There's so many things wrong with this movie. It's incredibly bad. I hated the first movie. I hate this one more. Thankfully, I didn't spend a penny to see this garbage.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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0
lukechristianscMar 5, 2014
the hobbit is a cliff hanger i hate these kinds of movies to be continued . it takes forever also dont buy it on dvd . so i hope no this is the last one
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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0
kingabbenApr 21, 2014
First off, as a movie relating to the books, it's terrible; beyond awful. I mean seriously, Legolas and Tauriel (who should not even be there) literally stole the spotlight from Bilbo (keep in mind that the movie is called the HOBBIT), andFirst off, as a movie relating to the books, it's terrible; beyond awful. I mean seriously, Legolas and Tauriel (who should not even be there) literally stole the spotlight from Bilbo (keep in mind that the movie is called the HOBBIT), and further pushed a ultra-cheesy love story with Killi? I mean seriously?!

Second, as a movie itself, it is also awful. The pacing is off once more, and the special effects just make the movie look fake.

Congratulations Peter Jakcosn, aka the new George Lucas, for screwing up the prequels after making a brilliant LOTR Trilogy.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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0
Zardoz_TXDec 20, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This may contain Spoilers if you have read the book!

May not be the worst film ever but comes close. The only thing that matches the book is the names of the characters and places. The rest is total crap. Elf and Dwarf love story if I were the Dwarf that would be great but not in the book. The Orcs chasing down the river in the Lord of the Rings yes but not the Hobbit. The list of Major differences would take hours to write down. If I had never read the book I might have a different review.

The 3D was excellent but that is all positive that I can say about the movie!… Expand
5 of 9 users found this helpful54
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1
IanArmerDec 17, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG is a monumental failure on just about every level; storytelling, character development, SFX and even acting. It wheezes, aimlessly, through a CGI heavy landscape via pointless camera moves, pointless situations, pointless characters and some of the worst sets/make-up I've seen in a modern Hollywood picture. The sets look fake, one shot leaves you gawking at the heavily applied foundation on Bilbo's face, the weave of wigs and stick-on facial hair, all distracting from the already distracting and shambolic plot falling apart before your eyes over the three hour running time.

Jackson has discovered a new love of violence in TDOS here, violence is cool and sexy. It all plays out like a computer game revenge fantasy of some lonely Tolkien freak. Heads are lopped off, Elves kill like superhero's in a perverse ballet of sadistic machismo and Orcs look like fetish pain-freaks (a bizarre mash up of flesh and metal). And the gratuitous pornography of violence builds and builds throughout the picture, as if Jackson can't get enough of killing. And killing everything in the sexiest, coolest, physically amazing way imaginable.

Let's not dwell on that, however. Most things can be forgiven if one is hooked into an involving, emotive story of which TDOS has not. Bilbo our eyes and way into Middle Earth takes back seat as a ludicrous love triangle plays out with a porky looking Legolas, a dwarf I can't even remember from the first part and another female Elf called Tauriel. If only the love triangle was between the dwarf and Legolas with Tauriel side-lined it might have worked!

The plot for TDOS is atrocious. That it is the 2nd part of an unnecessary trilogy is no excuse (The Two Towers is magnificent). Events just happen for no real reason. Characters are introduced and their back story crammed into a few moments and we are expected to care for their plight. The careful time and effort put into Part 1 of The Hobbit (yes, I liked it) is thrown out of the window for one meaningless set-piece after another. Eventually, we get to the mountain and Bilbo finally has something to do, other than kill things, cut ropes, slip on the Ring and vanish now and again. He solves an important puzzle, he slips into the lair of Smaug and, briefly, the film comes alive.

The conversation between Bilbo and Smaug works brilliantly. The CGI has obviously gone into this behemoth and the lack of music and overkill ramps up the tension a mere two hours into the movie. And then, it is gone. Smaug becomes a dunce, unable to kill anything within six foot of his snout. There is also a ridiculous 'plan' set in motion by the dwarves, involving hot gold and furnaces and, blah, blah, blah... They leap around like acrobats (everybody does in this film) and concoct the most inept counter attack on a dragon ever staged. So ridiculously complex it would make Dr Evil blush. So easily brushed aside, it makes the preceding 20 minutes of acrobatics pointless. And that sums up everything about this movie. It is pointless trash. All padding with no serious regard for story telling or character development. It just wants 'moments' of cool killing and violence. The entire film is a miserable, boring, tedious, violent, unlikable and cynical exercise in making money. It's the very worst Middle Earth film. It's quite possibly one of the worst films ever made, full stop.… Expand
8 of 16 users found this helpful88
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1
David_HDec 27, 2013
After doing such a nice job with LOTR, its such a sad situation and such a blatant money grab and complete disregard for J.R.R. Tolkien's original prose. The Hobbit was about 1/6th the length of Lord of The Rings, yet the producers chose aAfter doing such a nice job with LOTR, its such a sad situation and such a blatant money grab and complete disregard for J.R.R. Tolkien's original prose. The Hobbit was about 1/6th the length of Lord of The Rings, yet the producers chose a worthless and mind-numbing extension of Hobbit into two ridiculously long movies. The graphics and effects and story was so expansive in LOTR we were willing to allow the division into three films, but for the Hobbit there is absolutely no reason to split it up other than to suck more money out of our wallets.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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2
bobalaskaJan 4, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the most painfully boring movies I've seen in quite a while. So unlike the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which I enjoyed.

And the kicker was the ending with the most blatant hint of a sequel. If it hadn't been "at the movies." I would have thought it was a commercial break.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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3
uvazquezDec 13, 2013
Bifur was right, it was the chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Nope, not talking about the dragon. I mean the movie.

Book differences aside (I didn't go to the theater with expectations of watching a remake of the book's secondBifur was right, it was the chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Nope, not talking about the dragon. I mean the movie.

Book differences aside (I didn't go to the theater with expectations of watching a remake of the book's second third chapters), the plot was terrible. And I mean, TERRIBLE with a capital T and the rest of the word capitalized as well.

For starters, there was a time gap between where we left in the first movie and where the second started. Sure, I'm used to it and it can be good for the movie. But it doesn't explain how the orcs have caught up with them. Secondly, there was almost no Beorn. He doesn't even have many lines. What's the point of adding him into the movie if he's not gonna do anything? Thirdly, adding Legolas would have made sense just to connect with The Lord of the Rings, like Jackson wants, but adding another elf, Tauriel, and making them be the entire piece of action in the film was really lousy. There was almost no plot because of the large bits of action from Legolas and Tauriel. If I wanted to watch an action movie I would have bought tickets for another movie.

Also, the movie relies heavily in 3D. It's like Jackson forgot about the plot, just to make it coincide with awesome 3D effects (which I can't watch because I'm from the unlucky group of people who can't watch 3D movies because of sight conditions). 3D should be just an additive to the movie, not the whole point of it.

Adding Dol Guldur and the return of Sauron was a nice touch though, and the Bard the Bowman portrayal was awesome. That adds a few points to the score. However, Evangeline Lilly can't act, which substracts points. And making the action parts so long I almost fell asleep. They should be brief and scattered across the film. Not concentrated during an hour and a half and then abandoned and changed for pure dialogue.

All in all, this makes this movie the worst Jackson Middle Earth movie yet, and it was the one I had most hopes about. I liked the first one more than this and it's really slow.

I was about to give this a 5, like acceptable, but then I got to the cliffhanger. Really, Jackson? Why didn't you give closure to the arc? You have a war brewing, you don't need to keep Smaug alive. Let Bard gun him down already and get this over with. You could have ended the movie with the party at Esgaroth, and then changing to a scene showing the army marching. You have A LOT of stuff to put in the next film without leaving Smaug's closure to be exploited.

All in all, this was the worst of the three. I really do believe the worst is behind us. Come on, Jackson. Give it a worthy ending.… Expand
13 of 28 users found this helpful1315
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BarakrDec 16, 2013
I first read the Hobbit in elementary school, and in the 40 years since have read it maybe ten more times. All my life I hoped and prayed that someone would make the perfect movie of the book, and I was overjoyed when Peter Jackson wasI first read the Hobbit in elementary school, and in the 40 years since have read it maybe ten more times. All my life I hoped and prayed that someone would make the perfect movie of the book, and I was overjoyed when Peter Jackson was finally named to direct the movies.

Er, movies. The-Trilogy-Inappropriately-Named-The-Hobbit. The travesty that has lost all of Tolkein's magic and wonder. The Hobbit is a book in an age of innocence, before Middle Earth realizes the darkness that's coming. There's a lightness and playfulness to the adventure, magic in the dialog and scenes. The best parts of the first movie were those that followed Tolkein most closely. In Desolation of Smaug, the best parts were the all-too-brief encounter with Beorn, the spider scene, bits and pieces of the barrel scene, and Bilbo's wordplay with Smaug. All of these were foreshortened, changed, stripped of much of their magic in favor of added fights, orcs or elves, but at least they kept some of the original.

What hubris to take a classic and destroy it.… Expand
6 of 14 users found this helpful68
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3
Atomic_RossDec 15, 2013
While the pacing and narrative diversity is a substantial improvement over the previous installment (and the dragon looks ingeniously amazing, to boot), this film cannot hardly be stated as anything less than a shocking failure of basicWhile the pacing and narrative diversity is a substantial improvement over the previous installment (and the dragon looks ingeniously amazing, to boot), this film cannot hardly be stated as anything less than a shocking failure of basic cinematic and story-telling fundamentals. There are no arcs for the characters to follow along, no new game-changing information learned by our primaries, and no strong story structure or plot to speak of. Our characters simply start at one place, visit two more, and finish at a fourth place. Nothing is accomplished or lost, and the stakes do not change. In short, this is not a movie, in the sense that a movie is about characters and throughlines and arcs and narrative dynamics. This is simply a part of a movie, or worse yet, an FX reel with some dialogue attached. Jackson's worst impulses in displaying cartoonish set-pieces and indulgent CGI abound here to serve the story very little, and aesthetic choices are garish and jarring without any contextual justification. In all, an astounding and surprisingly bad film, possibly Jackson's worst.… Expand
4 of 10 users found this helpful46
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2
FunkyHermitDec 15, 2013
Pretty terrible. First, I watched the 48 fps 3D version.

The higher frame rate made a lot of the scenes seem very cheaply done. While some scenes looked absolutely gorgeous with it, there were more times that I was trying to figure outPretty terrible. First, I watched the 48 fps 3D version.

The higher frame rate made a lot of the scenes seem very cheaply done. While some scenes looked absolutely gorgeous with it, there were more times that I was trying to figure out what was happening in a scene than enjoying it.

The movie DOES NOT follow the book very closely at all. Jackson added characters in that never existed and that, in my opinion, detract from the flow of the story. These additions to the story also have many plot holes and idiosyncrasies that just leave you scratching your head.

This movie gets a 2 simply because Smaug has a great voice actor, and they did Gandalfs scenes well.… Expand
4 of 10 users found this helpful46
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2
donnelbrDec 18, 2013
They ruined it. I've enjoyed every one of these films to date the lord of the rings trilogy, even the first half of the hobbit. However, what they've done here is a travesty. First of all, the film ends right at the climax. That made meThey ruined it. I've enjoyed every one of these films to date the lord of the rings trilogy, even the first half of the hobbit. However, what they've done here is a travesty. First of all, the film ends right at the climax. That made me angry. As result the film doesn't stand on it's own. If one was to divide up the Hobbit into three books, book 2 would be a gigantic question mark. In addition, I've read the book a couple of times, and found the film's version of the story nearly impossible to follow. The film is filled with so much "filler" (stuff that's not in the book, but in no way enhances the story), that it gets downright boring. The challenge with the Lord of the Rings was keeping all the nuggets of the story in. In this one, they filled it with garbage. I couldn't be more disappointed.… Expand
3 of 8 users found this helpful35
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0
wew2Dec 16, 2013
I love the world of J.R.R Tolkien. I also celebrate a creative film maker changing a novel to bring it to the screen (Kubrick’s “The Shining” is a brilliant example). I enjoyed Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” immensely, but this? TheI love the world of J.R.R Tolkien. I also celebrate a creative film maker changing a novel to bring it to the screen (Kubrick’s “The Shining” is a brilliant example). I enjoyed Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” immensely, but this? The original source story is completely gone as well as any feeling of wonder. I remember admiring Mr. Jackson’s restrained use of CGI in the “Lord of the Rings” as a real blessing. He should take a lesson from his source (the One Ring) and realize absolute power corrupts absolutely. This film is a mess. Since when are elves Jedi’s? I disliked the first Hobbit but am such a fan I took a chance and walked out of the theater feeling profoundly disappointed and cheated. I’m done and will not be bothering with the third installment.… Expand
7 of 21 users found this helpful714
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3
jaketyler48Dec 13, 2013
Well, Being a fan of the book I can honestly say I'm not sure what I just watched. If your a fan of Tolkien and his writings your going to hate it! If your a fan of Jackson you will love it! I'm with the first group loved the book. The firstWell, Being a fan of the book I can honestly say I'm not sure what I just watched. If your a fan of Tolkien and his writings your going to hate it! If your a fan of Jackson you will love it! I'm with the first group loved the book. The first movie, An unexpected journey was pretty much the beginning of the book with a few things excluded and a few things added for the sake of cinema. It blended well. I could take that. But, The desolation of Smaug went so far off the beat-in path from the book its not even funny. There was less of the book and more screen play. I understand writing a movie screen play is different than the writing of a book. But Jackson Literally killed The book! With the addition of parts (Far to many added into the screen play) and again not enough from the book! All these positive reviews people must not have read the book. Jackson took a great book and turned it into a whore. That he could pimp out over the span of 3 movies for money. Other than the fact that a character in the movie is in fact a hobbit. And the title is The Hobbit The desolation of Smaug after my viewing I believe they should have dropped The Hobbit from the title entirely. And just called it the desolation of Smaug. I was Concerned when the movie went from 2 to 3 films. I was right in being worried. Like myself fans of the book will see very little of the book in the second film and to much nonsense that doesn't even blend well.… Expand
6 of 18 users found this helpful612
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0
JBBuDec 16, 2013
As a Kiwi I am embarrassed for my country. To add insult to injury the NZ government are giving tax breaks and have changing labour laws to accommodate this garbage. We keep trying out Peter Jackson's movies in the hope he will relive hisAs a Kiwi I am embarrassed for my country. To add insult to injury the NZ government are giving tax breaks and have changing labour laws to accommodate this garbage. We keep trying out Peter Jackson's movies in the hope he will relive his glory of Heavenly Creatures from many years ago. King Kong and Part Two of Lord of the Rings were not bad, but this movie will not appeal to anyone over 12 years old. A friend of ours who worked on it told us 2 years ago that Warner Brothers made sure that this series was made for children (where the money is) and instructed Jackson to essentially dumb it down. He succeeded beyond their dreams.… Expand
5 of 15 users found this helpful510
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1
TerribleOdinDec 21, 2013
This movie is really terrible. Animation just crap, like Legolas there must not be allowed, this film like a parody, and I can not believe it took Peter Jackson. I would put 0 points, but 1 point put in more or less normal animation of orcs.
2 of 6 users found this helpful24
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1
UnderTheRainDec 29, 2013
Jesus this film is BORING one book three films you money grabbing ba****ds. I really don't know how anyone can being giving this a 10 unless it's PJ's mom or something dam this film is BORING. Same scenarios from lotr old characters from lotrJesus this film is BORING one book three films you money grabbing ba****ds. I really don't know how anyone can being giving this a 10 unless it's PJ's mom or something dam this film is BORING. Same scenarios from lotr old characters from lotr that aren't in the book same voice actors sounding the same in 3 films now PJ that's just LAME....... still your sat on a big pile of money but this is just one big fu to the fans of the books and probably don't care what anyone says about it. Hollywood in general sucks these days...… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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0
pierremSep 28, 2014
This film is as good as "Attack of the killer tomatoes". The plot is as near to The Hobbit as Killer Tomatoes is to pizza making; the action scenes are just as laughable (yet higher technical quality). If Jackson had come to Tolkien's tombThis film is as good as "Attack of the killer tomatoes". The plot is as near to The Hobbit as Killer Tomatoes is to pizza making; the action scenes are just as laughable (yet higher technical quality). If Jackson had come to Tolkien's tomb and shat inside, it would be less of an insult to his memory.
As a comic film, it could be good. I really laughed when I saw a hobbit on a metal plate surfing over molten gold. He's made of asbestos!… Expand
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
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3
Tom_green_dayDec 21, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I kept wondering when it was going to end, there isn't going to be any material for the third film! The special effects were noticably bad and even for a kids film the stunts were goofy and the laws of science and physics went right out the window. Seriously, they surf on molten metal with A METAL WHEELBARROW. Wow. It's not as interesting as any of the other films, the music is the worst of all five LotR films so far, and it was ultimately really forgettable.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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0
DannyGNov 8, 2014
Milking Tolkien For All He's Worth! See What Happens When Greedy People & Corporations Sink Their Teeth Into A Great Story! Sorry! But I've lost my patience! Watching The Hobbit was quite demoralizing! Unfortunately, The Hobbit has beenMilking Tolkien For All He's Worth! See What Happens When Greedy People & Corporations Sink Their Teeth Into A Great Story! Sorry! But I've lost my patience! Watching The Hobbit was quite demoralizing! Unfortunately, The Hobbit has been turned into a commodity like toothpaste and underarm deodorant! There is ZERO justification for turning the Hobbit into a trilogy, if you are going to drag out the story and do such a poor job. The Tolkien family - who I assume controls the rights to J.R.R. Tolkien's works - should be ashamed of themselves.They could have insisted in putting the story first instead of letting director Jackson create such a vapid and mediocre second Hobbit film. It's really quite sad! How can a director who made 3 masterpieces out of Lord of the Rings stoop so low and turn The Hobbit into something so trite and empty that, at times, it's like watching a Saturday morning breakfast cereal commercial on T.V.?

I badly wanted to like this movie. At least the first movie of The Hobbit trilogy had some interesting moments despite its many flaws. But now the Hobbit has been turned into a cartoon with mostly boring two-dimensional, cardboard characters. The acting was so poor at times it ruined the illusion. But worst of all, there's very little heart, unlike the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is the epitome of passion and adventure and good storytelling.

I also think part of the problem is that director Jackson is trying to turn The Hobbit into another The Lord of the Rings, which is quite stupid. They are very different stories. From what I have read, Tolkien wrote The Hobbit essentially for fun and wasn't even going to have it published until his friend, the great writer, C. S. Lewis convinced him otherwise. The Tolkien family should have went with a different director. Since when does one man own a storytelling giant like Tolkien?

Then I was forced to watch this awful movie in 3D or drive elsewhere. I noticed about 30 seconds of special 3D affects. How can that be called a 3D movie? I call it a rip-off and I wish the Federal government would call such a claim fraud, so filmmakers would think twice about ripping off the public!

Hollywood pulled the same stretching-out-the-story-stunt with Harry Potter, but at least I was smart enough to never have watched the last film. I eventually became so disgusted, I could care less what happened to Harry Potter. The same storytelling destruction non-sense has now captured the Hobbit. When I started hoping that Smaug would snap Bilbo Baggins and the King of the Dwarfs in a half, I realized I'm now done with all things Hobbit movie related!!… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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0
iSchobDec 15, 2013
The movie just feels way too long and dragged out. In addition to that the action scences are just boring, predictable and repetitive and the forced love story is just cringeworthy.
6 of 29 users found this helpful623
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0
next4ideasJan 11, 2014
How people could place a good rate for this movie?
Like a fan of LOTR, i bpredictablecame very disapointed with this last.
The difference between the others and this was great. for me this was like any other hollywood movie with a lot ofHow people could place a good rate for this movie?
Like a fan of LOTR, i bpredictablecame very disapointed with this last.
The difference between the others and this was great.
for me this was like any other hollywood movie with a lot of "cliches"
And terrible argument, what was the dragon scene? He was loosing for a single hobbit and be cheated?
Terrible to see it. The king of elfs a person with big ego with stupid behaviors,
A king dont act like him.
My impression was, the produccer took a new direction and let the movie so predictable and let the persons so fool with stupds behaviors like the key scene about to enter into the dwarf citie.… Expand
3 of 17 users found this helpful314
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0
SpazzieDec 18, 2013
This movie is different from the book. Therefore a ZERO is obligatory. The quality and beauty of the movie doesn't matter. Being entertained for over 2 hrs with an incredible spectacle doesn't matter. Having the desire to see it again doesn'tThis movie is different from the book. Therefore a ZERO is obligatory. The quality and beauty of the movie doesn't matter. Being entertained for over 2 hrs with an incredible spectacle doesn't matter. Having the desire to see it again doesn't matter. It is different than the book and deserves a ZERO. My opinion. My rules. ZERO.… Expand
4 of 24 users found this helpful420
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3
victoratorJan 22, 2014
Amazing 48FPS technology. Great visuals. The rest is very poorly executed and the plot could be summarized in one sentence: they are travelling to get to the dragon whom they eventually meet and then the movie ends.

3/10 (max what I canAmazing 48FPS technology. Great visuals. The rest is very poorly executed and the plot could be summarized in one sentence: they are travelling to get to the dragon whom they eventually meet and then the movie ends.

3/10 (max what I can give) for 48fps 3d that doesn't hurt your eyes.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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0
ThunderMonkeyJun 16, 2022
I can only think of one expression for this, cheap.
You can tell that the film was produced quickly and did not cost much money.
No comparison, not even close to Lord of the Rings.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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1
TheSquirrelJun 27, 2014
I try not to rate anything too low, because thing has to be something that you point to and say, "This was good, right?"
Wrong, because The Desolation of Smaug was horrible start to finish. Where The Hobbit was a slap in the face toI try not to rate anything too low, because thing has to be something that you point to and say, "This was good, right?"
Wrong, because The Desolation of Smaug was horrible start to finish. Where The Hobbit was a slap in the face to Tolkien, TDoS was a burning bag of crap left at his doorstep. I went into this movie with low expectations and only 15 minutes in realized that even so I had expected too much.

First, why it's not a good movie:
They do a very poor job of portraying the time frame of this movie and by you end you think to yourself, "Oh, they were only three days from the mountain including jail time, I wonder why they make this out to be such an undertaking?" because in the book they took Months!
The Characters are impossible to relate to as each one has not had a proper time frame to develop, so you end up with a cast of 15 or so completely forgettable characters.
This movie is essentially four staged areas with nothing in between and ends up feeling like a cobbled together selection of short stories that don't connect properly.
Wacky Willys Barrel ride down the river scene is one of the worst displays of directing excess I have seen since Micheal Bays Transformer movies.
The script is poor/rushed with no memorable conversations or lines in two and half hours of run time.

Second, why it's a horrible adaptation:
Significant, memorable scenes from the book (the introduction of the dwarves to Beorn, the pursuit of the Elven feasts in the forest, the true ending to Bilbo's conversation with Smaug) have been replaced with horrible scens that aren't in the book (Filli chatting up Elven lady in Dungeon, Orcs attacking Laketown, Dwarves battling Smaug).
The ring, which was asleep in the book and had no effect on characters apart from turning Bilbo invisible, is now awake and wrecking Bilbo. Add to that every evil character in the movie basically proclaiming the coming of Sauron even though it's supposed to be a secret. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the Tolkien universe would know that this is completely incorrect and creates continuity issues. Why does Sauron not sense the ring is in the forest right beside him? Why does his eye not appear when Bilbo puts on the ring? Why do elves and men not react appropriately knowing that Sauron is back but not at full strength?
Upon close examination, not a single scene or event has been left unaltered from the book which means that this movie is not an adaptation, but rather some loose tribute using similar characters and settings but retaining nothing of the original.

I give the one for the excellent casting of Cumberbatch as Smaug as well as the CG on the dragon. (The rest of the scene is complete garbage as the idea of the Dragon sensing the ring and Bilbo removing it is a complete deviation.)

Save yourself from this and just rent the Trilogy again.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
Rawr_CriticsaurMay 17, 2014
God the movie was so damn bad.Having read the book i can tell you first hand that the director and the writers did not even read the book.Half the sruff did not happen.Legolas?Not there.Gandalf side story?Not there.Kili romance withGod the movie was so damn bad.Having read the book i can tell you first hand that the director and the writers did not even read the book.Half the sruff did not happen.Legolas?Not there.Gandalf side story?Not there.Kili romance with tauriel?No no no no.The dwarves trying to kill smaug the way drogo killed viserys?COME ON THE PEOPLE ARENT EVEN TRYING

And let's skip how they ruined the mirkwood scene...… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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1
thehawkMay 21, 2014
I knew before seeing the film that it would take a different direction to the book. This didn't worry me at all. However once the party of dwarves left Beorn's house, this film disintegrated into nonsense. The Smaug scenes involving theI knew before seeing the film that it would take a different direction to the book. This didn't worry me at all. However once the party of dwarves left Beorn's house, this film disintegrated into nonsense. The Smaug scenes involving the dwarves, the elf-dwarf love story, all of Lake Town and Bard, the stupid orc-elf fight at the river were all pitiful. The film dragged on way too long. I just hope the third film has realistic battle scenes e.g. something like Romans vs German tribes the start of Gladiator. Warhammer-esque dwarves make my brain hurt. The Moria Gimli dressed in 20th Century German soldier harness would be preferable, please.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
PfenderStrat621Apr 2, 2015
Oh god! This movie is a giant piece of s**t. Out of the three Hobbit movies this is by far the most awkward, poorly-written, inconsistent, ridiculous, unbearable, and boring of these. Every scene, dialogue and plot devices felt like i wasOh god! This movie is a giant piece of s**t. Out of the three Hobbit movies this is by far the most awkward, poorly-written, inconsistent, ridiculous, unbearable, and boring of these. Every scene, dialogue and plot devices felt like i was watching Peter Jackson screaming that he needs money. It was made in such an uninspiring and sloppy way that made it hilarious and at the same time obnoxious. The Hobbit franchise is a giant failure, and this one is the worst of them.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
NikopooOct 15, 2020
These movies are a huge cringe-fest, albeit as far as a terrible series who insults the movies before it goes with clearly just trying to fill their pockets with money, this one was moderately entertaining.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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