The Desolation of Smaug: Dark and Thematically Strong

When The Desolation of Smaug was release in theatres in December, it met high expectations from critics and casual filmgoers alike. As the DVD/Blu-ray version of the film is set to be released in April 2014, we hope that this artistic and spiritual review by our very own Emily V. will help you decide whether it is worth your time and money. (We think it is!)

Sincerely,
The Editors

MOVIE REVIEW
Riveting Sequel Reveals How Big Things Often Come in Small Packages
By: EMILY V.

What would you do if everything you held dear was stripped from you in a matter of moments? If you had one chance to reclaim it, despite the danger lurking around every corner, would you? The much-anticipated sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, follows the journey of a brave hobbit who must muster all of his wit and courage to persevere against both man and beast to help his friends.

In this magical tale, the exiled dwarf king, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and his company of dwarves join forces with a wizard and a hobbit to reclaim his rightful place as King of the Lonely Mountain. Picking up almost exactly where the previous film ended, this sequel follows the adventure of a quick-witted hobbit named Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his quest to aid his friends in taking back their homeland from the magnificent, yet terrible, dragon Smaug. From being relentlessly pursued by bloodthirsty orcs to being imprisoned by a heartless elf king, practically anything and everything hinders the company from reaching the hidden door in the Lonely Mountain and the ominous being that lies beyond it.

The breathtaking scenery, engaging plot, and superior acting succeed in making The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug a film well worth watching. Producer and director Peter Jackson outdoes himself in this retelling of the mythical story, presenting the importance of perseverance and lending a hand to others in need. With intense action sequences and a mesmerizing plot, this motion picture surpasses the exceptional first installment.

Freeman maintains the mildly awkward, yet determined, character of Bilbo with ease, his comedic expressions considerably lightening the atmosphere during some of the darker scenes.  Armitage, starring as Thorin Oakenshield, is often harsh and gruff, portraying Oakenshield’s icy personality to a tee.

The humorous band of dwarves interacts seamlessly, creating a kinship between them similar to that of close brothers. Voicing the all-powerful dragon Smaug, Benedict Cumberbatch’s dreadfully sinister vocals cast fear into the hearts of viewers, leaving them trembling in their seats. Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly, starring as Tauriel, the female captain of the Elf Guard, excels in depicting the struggle of a compassionate elf who is torn between her duty as a warrior and her moral obligation to help others.

The journey takes place in multiple locations, including a bustling village pub, a foreboding enchanted forest, and a breathtakingly beautiful elf kingdom. While the animation of the orcs at times appears a bit more suitable for a video game, the animation work on the dragon Smaug is both realistic and impressive. The background music played is marvelous, frequently varying from peaceful Celtic melodies to intense orchestra music in order to better suit the scenes throughout the picture.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is very relevant to Christians when examined from a closer perspective. Throughout the film, Bilbo struggles with his growing obsession with the ring of power, and Thorin wrestles with his desire for the Arkenstone, illustrating that greed has the power to consume you and destroy you if you let it. Unfortunately, an unnecessary amount of violence surrounds the movie, resulting in a fair amount of blood spilling and heads rolling. This violence, however, is partially redeemed in the consolation that good always prevails over evil in the end. An important positive message displayed in this movie is that it is important to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, even when everything seems to stand against you.

Concluding with an agonizing cliff hanger preceding the final film of the trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a riveting tale laced with wonder and adventure, conveying the message that helping others and doing what is right is more important than the sacrifices that will be made in the process.