The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Smaug is the name of the enormous fire-breathing, flying dragon that slumbers in the gold-filled vaults of the castle under a tall mountain in Middle Earth that the Dwarfs were forced to abandon a couple generations ago.
If you don’t know about Middle Earth, then this second of a three-part movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit, will quickly bring you up to speed.
Unfortunately for die-hard fans of director Peter Jackson’s first Hobbit film, those slow-paced, talking-head bits explaining the backstory whys and wherefores in The Desolation of Smaug just get in the way of telling a good story. In fact, the Wizard Gandolf the Grey (Ian McKellen) seemingly appears in this movie for the sole purpose of providing that backstory. The opening scenes have him sharing bread, cheese, ale and mythic prophecies with the heir to the Dwarf kingdoms, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Then he checks in with the Hobbit burglar, Bilbo (Martin Freeman), to hear how the little fellow is becoming braver. Finally, when Gandolf summons his wizard brother, Radagast (Sylvester McCoy), it is merely so the brothers can tell each other (and any untutored audience members), what the pair already know about the dark forces becoming more powerful.
There are a paltry few (but nonetheless very vocal) fans who decry Jackson “meddling” with Tolkien’s original storyline by expanding the roles of some minor characters (like Gandolf’s brother) and even inventing never-before-heard-of newcomers, like Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), the fearless and deadly Captain of the Guards for the Mirkwood Elves. Missing is the realization that Jackson has “meddled” with Tolkien’s original storyline to make those concepts more cinematic. For example, Jackson’s life-partner, Fran Walsh, suggested creating and including Tauriel as a strong female character. This is because in Tolkien’s book, only one female character is even named— Bilbo’s mother, Belladonna Took Baggins. And her only appearance is as a face in a family portrait.
But the natterings above have little consequence. What is important are two truly astounding sequences that anyone who sees the film should be talking about for some time to come.
THE FIRST is the fast-paced escape-by-barrels sequence. On their quest to gain entry to their dragon-guarded castle, the band of 13 Dwarves (and the Hobbit, Bilbo) are captured by the Mirkwood Elves and imprisoned in 13 different jail cells. Using his magic ring, Bilbo stays invisible and deftly unlocks the cell doors, letting the Dwarves (and Bilbo, too) hide in wooden wine barrels. But the barrels soon tumble into a river filled with rocky rapids, towering waterfalls, and deep, dark holes. As if that isn’t enough, a horde of murderous Orcs gallop along the riverbanks, launching themselves from rock to rock while shooting arrows at the Dwarves like they are fish in a barrel. Fortunately, Tauriel and the Elven Prince, Legolas (Orlando Bloom), arrive with a seemingly endless supply of arrows in their quivers, and they dispatch copious numbers of Orcs while adroitly overcoming numerous obstacles blocking their way.
THE SECOND fabulous sequence is the confrontation between Smaug, the dragon, a quick-talking Bilbo and, eventually, the band of Dwarves as well. The mountain horde of gold is so enormous that even Scrooge McDuck would be awe-struck. Strangely, the dragon is nowhere to be seen, but as Bilbo walks upon the piles of gold coins, the slippery dubloons begin to slide, and a gigantic eyelid gets uncovered. The lid flips open, and Bilbo is frozen by the stare of a golden-eye the size of a Volkswagen. Smaug stretches as he slowly comes awake. A rain of golden coins on the other side of the chamber reveals his tail. Showers of riches fill the air as the dragon uncurls his talons. And, when the audience sees Smaug in all his terrible magnificence, we are delighted at the artistic genius that has created such an awesome beast.
Give yourself a treat this holiday season. Take you and yours to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on the biggest screen with the best sound you can find.
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