The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Directed by Peter Jackson

In Cinemas – December 26th 2013.

There are many “second instalment” films that outshine their predecessor. From The Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather – Part II to The Dark Knight, some films are just an appetiser for the main meal.

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug follows on from his disappointing 2012 feature film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with ten times the action and excitement to make this second title in the Hobbit series a feast for moviegoers.

Kicking off with a flashback to a year before Bilbo Baggins came into the orbit of the vanquished Dwarves of Erebor, Gandalf the Grey urges Thorin Oakenshield to seek out the Arkenstone to reclaim the throne of the Kingdom Under the Mountain, before slipping neatly into the time frame shortly after the first film ended.

If the first film was lacking in happenings and characters, this one more than makes up for it. Skin Changer Beorn keeps the attacking Orcs at bay before taking human shape and explaining he’ll help the dwarves despite detesting their kind, because the only thing he hates more than little folk are Orcs.

And it’s no wonder. These foul creatures will star in many a nightmare for younger viewers.

Here’s a film to avoid if you dislike gigantic spiders. Also dizzying heights, fire breathing dragons, decapitation, sword-fights, Elves, Wizards, poison, puzzles and spooky forests.

The way that Peter Jackson is able to weave his magic with real live action seamlessly integrated with CGI is phenomenal.

A film to cherish in 3D, and pore over again on DVD & Blu-Ray.

5 Stars.