When it came to prequels in cinema, The Hobbit trilogy made people skeptic. So was I, at first, considering the Lord of the Rings trilogy is still the most cinematic masterpiece in the history of Hollywood. Upon seeing them, though, I don't think they're bad at all. An Unexpected Journey had some issues, but it was a good start to the prequel trilogy with great acting, stunning visuals, and beautiful music from Howard Shore.
The Desolation of Smaug is another good installment of the trilogy. Is it a masterpiece? Not really, but it's still good in it's own right. The CGI designs on the orcs aren't perfect and could've have been better as practical make-up and it does drag in it's pacing. However, there are plenty of good things.
The story does retain the spirit of the Hobbit book while connecting the tone to the Lord of the Rings (which I still don't mind), the action sequences are fun and the visuals remain stunning especially the look of the inside of the Misty Mountains. Plus, the CGI design of Smaug is well crafted and intimidating at the same time all thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch's superb voice work. The other actors, including Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom (with his unexpected return as Legolas), Luke Evans, and Christopher Lee did great jobs as ever with their respective roles, and Howard Shore continues to deliver with his score with his new themes regarding Laketown and Smaug himself.
Overall, The Desolation of Smaug isn't a great installment, but much like An Unexpected Journey, it's a good installment of the prequel trilogy after 10 years.
The Desolation of Smaug is another good installment of the trilogy. Is it a masterpiece? Not really, but it's still good in it's own right. The CGI designs on the orcs aren't perfect and could've have been better as practical make-up and it does drag in it's pacing. However, there are plenty of good things.
The story does retain the spirit of the Hobbit book while connecting the tone to the Lord of the Rings (which I still don't mind), the action sequences are fun and the visuals remain stunning especially the look of the inside of the Misty Mountains. Plus, the CGI design of Smaug is well crafted and intimidating at the same time all thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch's superb voice work. The other actors, including Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom (with his unexpected return as Legolas), Luke Evans, and Christopher Lee did great jobs as ever with their respective roles, and Howard Shore continues to deliver with his score with his new themes regarding Laketown and Smaug himself.
Overall, The Desolation of Smaug isn't a great installment, but much like An Unexpected Journey, it's a good installment of the prequel trilogy after 10 years.