[6]

While this is definitely a better movie than the first one, my attempt to enjoy it is still hampered by constant annoyance.

First, the bad:  This shit is still way too long. Dragging this story out into three movies is looking more and more like a fatal error. Then there’s the computer-generated imagery. I know I sound like Old Mister Wilson telling Dennis to get off his lawn, but I really miss the way Peter Jackson blended practical effects with CGI in The Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit movies feels so plastic by comparison, and it’s hard to be scared of orcs or goblins when they look like cartoons. And what about all that beautiful New Zealand scenery? It’s traded for green screens throughout most of these movies.

Then there’s my lack of empathy. Martin Freeman still bores me as Bilbo and the dwarfs are still too ugly to look at (except Kili; he’s a hottie). And I know it’s in vogue, but for the love of God, can we lock down the camera and look at a well-composed frame for 5 frickin’ seconds? Jesus! You can get motion sickness watching this shit. (IMAX would kill me.)

Now, the good. Or the better, anyway.

Once the famous ‘barrel escape’ sequence happens, the movie hits its stride and is fairly enjoyable through to the end. The dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) is truly magnificent — well designed, well animated, and well captured. The editing around Smaug helps enhance his grandeur — watch the way his head enters and exits each frame. It’s hypnotic. Smaug owns the third act and makes the entire film worthwhile.

Oscar Nominations: Best Visual Effects, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing

Benedict Cumberbatch voices Smaug