The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.
Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all–a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself–The Dragon Smaug.
Tauriel with LegolasCourtesy of Warner Bros
The Bottom Line
Although it's always amazing to see a film with so many battle scenes and special effects like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in theaters, it's almost better to watch it at home so catch all the amazing details - especially since it's so long! With the advancements in Blu-ray and high definition, seeing it at home is almost as visually stunning as the big screen, but probably more comfortable!
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has some extra characters (like Tauriel, played by Evangeline Lilly) that some fans of the original book weren't so keen on, but in our opinion they work to stretch out the story and add more of a dramatic element to the story, as well as Benedict Cumberbatch being a perfect choice for the dragon's voice. Peter Jackson and Warner Brothers have put some time and effort into creating worthwhile extras for the second installment of The Hobbit series, the double documentaries eter Jackson Invites You to the Set: In the Company of the Hobbit and Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set: All in a Day’s Work are fantastic additions for fans who want to geek out of the making of the movie, and our personal favorite touch was the Ed Sheeran Music Video for "I See Fire."
Bilbo and Thorin make plansCourtesy of Warner Bros
Blu-ray Special Features:
- Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set: In the Company of the Hobbit and Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set: All in a Day’s Work – Experience the film’s challenges and demands, and journey alongside the director into Mirkwood, Lake-town and Dale as the movie’s most intense, pivotal scenes are created
- Production Videos – Watch production come to life as Peter Jackson gives you an inside look at the making of the film
- New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 2 – Travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-earth
- “I See Fire” Music Video – Ed Sheeran’s beautiful theme song from the film is illuminated with this intimate music video
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Ed Sheeran "I See Fire"
