‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ FFCC Reviews
FFCC members review The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the second film in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy.
Joe Bardi – Creative Loafing Tampa
“It comes as a relief that The Desolation of Smaug is a far more enjoyable experience than The Unexpected Journey. Though it still suffers from bloat and overkill (this wouldn’t be a Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movie without them), Smaug maintains a clear forward momentum, sprinkles in some rip-roaring set pieces, and culminates in a thrilling showdown with a dragon that makes the extra few bucks for the 3D glasses worth it.”
Bill Gibron – Pop Matters
“In The Desolation of Smaug, the action rages like an irate reptile and there’s humor and heart where only the humdrum once dwelled. Far from perfect (it’s no Return of the King or Fellowship of the Ring) and yet rousing in scope and spirit, it’s a fine center section, a precursor to what appears to be a great war ahead and a reminder of how far our kooky little characters have already come.”
Dan Hudak – Hudak On Hollywood
“Smaug is a sequel that’s good enough to keep the Hobbit trilogy going strong, but it’s nonetheless an unremarkable work with an ending that’s still a year away (the ending we do get here is an abrupt cliffhanger, which is understandable). For some that’s part of the fun. For others who may be less patient and/or more financially conservative, the rental of the first two parts prior to seeing the third installment in theaters next December might be the way to go.”
Reuben Pereira – Film Frontier
“The Desolation of Smaug, the second entry in The Hobbit trilogy, inherits many of the same problems of its predecessor – once again, it’s far too long, there are five too many characters, and there’s little in way of character development. But where it skims on character, it handsomely makes up with suspense, thrills, energy, and spectacular set-pieces.”
Rene Rodriguez – The Miami Herald
“Jackson has become too distracted by his digital toys to give his characters the same weight and importance he used in the Rings trilogy (Bloom, for one, comes off as stiff and robotic, even though he’s reprising the signature role that made him famous). The Desolation of Smaug is all about finely rendered CGI creatures (including giant orcs and an enormous bear-monster), villages that feel like sets augmented by special effects and a visual grandeur that is at odds with the intimacy of this small, simple tale.”
