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Product Description
The second of three epic instalments in director Peter Jackson's blockbuster prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Set in Middle-Earth 60 years before events in 'The Lord of the Rings', the story follows the adventures of Hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who, at the instigation of the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), suddenly finds himself co-opted into joining a company of 13 Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) to help reclaim the lost kingdom of the Lonely Mountain from the clutches of Smaug the dragon (voice of Benedict Cumberbatch). In this film, while Gandalf heads south on his own, Bilbo, Thorin and the Dwarves enter the treacherous Mirkwood Forest on their way to the mountain. When they reach Lake-town Bilbo will have to perform the role he was assigned at the start of the quest - to find a secret door that will lead him to the lair of the dragon...
Extra Content
- New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth Part 2
- Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug: Trailer 1
- Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug: Trailer 2
Extra Content
- New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth Part 2
- Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug: Trailer 1
- Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug: Trailer 2
Synopsis
The hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf and 13 dwarfs, led by Thorin Oakenshield, continue their journey to reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Along the way, they encounter the skin-changer Beorn; giant Spiders of Mirkwood; Wood-elves led by Legolas, Tauriel and King Thranduil; and a mysterious Man named Bard, who smuggles them into Lake-town. Finally reaching the Lonely Mountain, they face their greatest danger--the Dragon Smaug.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
This film is largely criticised for not being true to the books etc, as I'm sure you are aware. However one thing that cannot be ignored is the fact that this is a GREAT film.
Some have criticised the Lord of the Rings trilogy for focussing so much on epic movie making, the story was neglected. However with the Hobbit, the best of both worlds has been achieved.
I went to see this film, and it has got to be one of the best movie experiences I've ever had. There's comedy, action, and the spectacular non-CGI scenery thats typical of Peter Jackson. The first film was perhaps a bit slow to start, but after watching this sequel, you'll forgive the filmmakers, as from the moment you see the words 'The Hobbit', the action starts.
Buy, watch, and enjoy!
Some have criticised the Lord of the Rings trilogy for focussing so much on epic movie making, the story was neglected. However with the Hobbit, the best of both worlds has been achieved.
I went to see this film, and it has got to be one of the best movie experiences I've ever had. There's comedy, action, and the spectacular non-CGI scenery thats typical of Peter Jackson. The first film was perhaps a bit slow to start, but after watching this sequel, you'll forgive the filmmakers, as from the moment you see the words 'The Hobbit', the action starts.
Buy, watch, and enjoy!
86 of 122 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After crossing over the Misty Mountains, Thorin must seek help from a powerful stranger before taking on the dangers of an illusioned filled forest.
If they reach Lake-town it will be time Bilbo Baggins to fulfil his contract with the dwarfs. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and Baggins must seek out the Secret Door.
A door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug....
After reassessing the first movie, which to be honest was a bit of a slog to get through, my expectations were not very high for this second instalment. I was looking forward to it, but this trilogy didn't really have the event feel that LOTR had..... Until now.
After a very slow opening, with a flashback, it soon goes back to what Jackson does best, event set pieces of the highest order. As soon as the group go into the forest, that's it, the film is rip roaring fun right up until the final haunting scene.
The film then is wrapped around three very impressive, and huge set pieces. The first in the forest with the spiders and meeting old friends,the second is a wonderful barrel chase, involving Orcs and Elves, and the final piece, which rivals anything from the original trilogy, when we meet Smaug.
This is stunning stuff, and Freeman excels in this part, one reason is because he's not really focused on until this part, and his fear makes his meeting with Smaug all the more urgent.
And what a creation Smaug is, as soon as he unveils himself from under millions of coins, you know instantly he will be right up there with Gollum, The T-Rex, and The T-1000, as the best CGI creations ever committed to screen. Read more ›
If they reach Lake-town it will be time Bilbo Baggins to fulfil his contract with the dwarfs. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and Baggins must seek out the Secret Door.
A door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug....
After reassessing the first movie, which to be honest was a bit of a slog to get through, my expectations were not very high for this second instalment. I was looking forward to it, but this trilogy didn't really have the event feel that LOTR had..... Until now.
After a very slow opening, with a flashback, it soon goes back to what Jackson does best, event set pieces of the highest order. As soon as the group go into the forest, that's it, the film is rip roaring fun right up until the final haunting scene.
The film then is wrapped around three very impressive, and huge set pieces. The first in the forest with the spiders and meeting old friends,the second is a wonderful barrel chase, involving Orcs and Elves, and the final piece, which rivals anything from the original trilogy, when we meet Smaug.
This is stunning stuff, and Freeman excels in this part, one reason is because he's not really focused on until this part, and his fear makes his meeting with Smaug all the more urgent.
And what a creation Smaug is, as soon as he unveils himself from under millions of coins, you know instantly he will be right up there with Gollum, The T-Rex, and The T-1000, as the best CGI creations ever committed to screen. Read more ›
67 of 97 people found the following review helpful
By The Movie Guy
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
The second installment is in the books as the dwarfs try to regain their home. In this installment we are introduced to a passionate elf named Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) one of the bright spots of the film. I thought the spiders were more realistic. Tauriel reiterates a basic theme "Are we not part of this world?" When good people stand by, evil wins.
It was interesting to see Legolas (Orlando Bloom) in this film as it establishes his relationship with the dwarfs to create better story continuity. At the same time the continuity is lost as we never have that scene in LOTR when Legolas says to Gimli, "Hey, I met your father." Radagast (Sylvester McCoy) once again appears in the Hobbit, a wizard cut out of LOTR for "brevity." If only we could go back and film it all over.
The film ends at an awkward point. Most people I have talked to claimed this was better than the first installment with more action. I will admit I enjoyed the first feature better, and of all the 5 films released to date, I would rate this as the weakest. Still, if you are going to see the third film, you pretty much need to see this one in spite on any shortcomings. Yes, the weakest of the five, I still loved and rated 5 stars.
What I don't like is how the franchise sucks money out of me with the DVD release, then a few months later coming out with the extended version. I will not be purchasing this DVD until the extended version is released.
It was interesting to see Legolas (Orlando Bloom) in this film as it establishes his relationship with the dwarfs to create better story continuity. At the same time the continuity is lost as we never have that scene in LOTR when Legolas says to Gimli, "Hey, I met your father." Radagast (Sylvester McCoy) once again appears in the Hobbit, a wizard cut out of LOTR for "brevity." If only we could go back and film it all over.
The film ends at an awkward point. Most people I have talked to claimed this was better than the first installment with more action. I will admit I enjoyed the first feature better, and of all the 5 films released to date, I would rate this as the weakest. Still, if you are going to see the third film, you pretty much need to see this one in spite on any shortcomings. Yes, the weakest of the five, I still loved and rated 5 stars.
What I don't like is how the franchise sucks money out of me with the DVD release, then a few months later coming out with the extended version. I will not be purchasing this DVD until the extended version is released.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By BisiLIFE
Format:Blu-ray
First of all, let me lay my cards on the table: LOTR were the Greatest Films ever made for me. I absolutely love them!
Ok, now I have got that out of the way, we can begin to talk as reasonable people.
The Hobbit was a let down for many Peter Jackson and LOTR fans. It was good; but no way as good as we had hoped. The film was just a bit too slow, especially at the beginning. Some of the scenes were just ok and perhaps unnecessary. Having said that, the Gollum in the Cave scene is by far and away the stand out scene in the film and arguably one of the best scenes in the whole Middle Earth saga as portrayed by Peter Jackson. But all in all, it's a 3 star.
The Desolation of Smaug now!
WOW!!!
This film is brilliant!
It is funny, exciting, exhillarating, scary, noble, sad, charming, intense and that's just the performance of the acting! Peter Jackson has managed to conjure up a film that is well paced, beautifully shot, well narrated and most importantly, leaves you hangiong for more! Yes, it departs from the books; but who went to the film expecting to see a re-telling of the story on celluloid? This is a 3 film adventure. Ofcourse it's going to depart from the book!! The "good" question would be, "Will Peter Jackson be able to make a film that stays true to the story arc of the book and also close enough to the narrative of the book?" The answer is a resounding "YES!!" Richard Armitage who plays Thorin, was excellent in Hobbit, but here he elevates his performance again. He is already one of my favourite characters in the whole LOTR Middle Earth films (alongside Aragorn and Theoden). He is brilliant at portraying the noble king, the surly king, the hopeful king and even, the caring king. Read more ›
Ok, now I have got that out of the way, we can begin to talk as reasonable people.
The Hobbit was a let down for many Peter Jackson and LOTR fans. It was good; but no way as good as we had hoped. The film was just a bit too slow, especially at the beginning. Some of the scenes were just ok and perhaps unnecessary. Having said that, the Gollum in the Cave scene is by far and away the stand out scene in the film and arguably one of the best scenes in the whole Middle Earth saga as portrayed by Peter Jackson. But all in all, it's a 3 star.
The Desolation of Smaug now!
WOW!!!
This film is brilliant!
It is funny, exciting, exhillarating, scary, noble, sad, charming, intense and that's just the performance of the acting! Peter Jackson has managed to conjure up a film that is well paced, beautifully shot, well narrated and most importantly, leaves you hangiong for more! Yes, it departs from the books; but who went to the film expecting to see a re-telling of the story on celluloid? This is a 3 film adventure. Ofcourse it's going to depart from the book!! The "good" question would be, "Will Peter Jackson be able to make a film that stays true to the story arc of the book and also close enough to the narrative of the book?" The answer is a resounding "YES!!" Richard Armitage who plays Thorin, was excellent in Hobbit, but here he elevates his performance again. He is already one of my favourite characters in the whole LOTR Middle Earth films (alongside Aragorn and Theoden). He is brilliant at portraying the noble king, the surly king, the hopeful king and even, the caring king. Read more ›
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Has Peter Jackson Become A Victim Of His Own Success?
The good news about THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (2013) is that it's eight minutes shorter than AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (2012) - 21 minutes if you count the pointless extended... Read more
Published 13 hours ago by D. W. Bissett
3.0 out of 5 stars
A director's cut is what's needed...
What we need is a director's cut of this film; what we'll get is an extended version with another 45 minutes of unnecessary action. Read more
Published 15 hours ago by Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Film
This is the first one of Jackson's films about Tolkien's books that I didn't go to the cinema to see two or three times. Once was enough.
Published 1 day ago by Mr. N. V. Hoy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book or Film?
Having read all of Tolkiens books (I think), it is easy to see how some fans are alarmed at the liberties taken by Mr Jackson. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Mark
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Hobbit - The Desolation of a Story
What can I say? I loved the original book and absorbed the pages as a child. Even having the wonderful audio cassette version that I could listen to under the covers imaging the... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Ben Soden
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Worthwhile But Unremarkable Addition To TLOTR
Anyone who has read the books knows that The Hobbit isn’t the same kind of story as the Lord of the Rings. It’s a much lighter novel more aimed at children than adults. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Peter Stephenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Peter Jackson Back on Top!
This film brings back the quality and excitement that was achieved within the lord of the rings trilogy. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Jonathan Mead
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Brilliant film. So much better than the first instalment and Smaug looking incredible. Great performances and can't wait until the third
Published 4 days ago by John Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the first
As I nearly fell asleep during the first film, I was pleasantly surprised to find this was a lot faster paced and didn't drag as much as the first. Read more
Published 9 days ago by KJ535:)
1.0 out of 5 stars
Buy quickly before the extended version comes out
The only positive about this film or any in the Hobbit trilogy so far is that it isn't extended.
Let's face it Peter Jackson is alergic to the editing function as it is. Read more
Let's face it Peter Jackson is alergic to the editing function as it is. Read more
Published 10 days ago by JD
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