The Hobbit: Desolation of SmaugFollow

The trailer made it seem like Thorin grandstands in front of Thranduil about what their goal was, when in the book he does everything possible to keep it secret. That pained me.

IIRC, Thranduil didn't even know who Thorin was...

I enjoyed the movie, even having read the book a few times now. I like to think the added stuff is added for one reason: not everyone is going to read all the books. Lets face it, it is a commitment to do so (and I've only managed to read the hobbit twice, audio book once, and LotRs I audio booked and had to take a break half way through because I was getting bored with it..).

If you only watch just the movies, and you only know that in LorRs Bilbo is some old as **** Hobbit with a magic ring, that he got way back when he was still a young (i hobbit years) man that took him on some adventure...and now he is giving this ring to his heir (Frodo, his distant cousin, that was orphaned as a child, that he raised. Bilbo is like 80years older). This ring drives it's owner mad, unless it is within the power of it's creator. Frodo is set off on an epic quest to destroy this ring so Middle Earth will not fall to darkness.
That is the shibby of LotRs. In the movie stuff was cut because each book could have almost gotten 2 movies each imo if they added more...

So what of this old adventure that you hear about, that Bilbo went on? Enter The Hobbit.
Now from what I know, the Hobbit was written 1st and that was it. Good times. Publishers asked for more and he decided to do what he could and we got LotR...and notes that were turned into The Silmarillion (another story before The Hobbit) and a book I do not recall the name of that is after LotRs (not had time to read either yet).
Again if we just go with people who watch the movies, and the hobbit is one of 2 prequel and you do not mention anything of a Dark Lord, or maybe of an army being built... are we to just assume most of history is just know, as a viewer?

They make it flow, the story is still being told. If people are that upset about it, but still want to enjoy a "live action", go with the audio book. You get the exact story with many voices and it is true to the book. No eye candy, but your ears will like it.

I don't really buy this. The Hobbit is one book - not a long one. What gives me a little momentary twinge of regret in regards to the movie versus the book is simply that they are two very different things. The book is a sweet, humble story of a little lion-hearted hobbit. It is naively good. The movie is none of this.

Those that 'skip' the book and think they're getting the same story by watching three intensely action packed movies about the growth and discovery of a world destroying evil menace are sorely misled about Tolkien the author.

As an action packed adventure movie - I enjoyed The Desolation of Smaug. SpoilerThe dragon was not a disappointment, it was as big and pompous and scary as one could imagine. I was really concerned about this babe-elf, but I liked the direction they took her in befriending Kili. Also the actress, whoever she is, gave a very good she-elf performance. I think her character actually enhanced the Legolas character a bit.

The meet-up and capture in Mirkwood was disappointing. The spiders were sufficiently creepy, but their was no chasing after disappearing lights as the wood elves toyed with the dwarfs. Similarly, the barrel escape (one of my very favorite parts of the book) was changed up significantly - though it was a really fun scene as the graceful elves were chasing after the scary orcs who were all chasing after the bearded dwarfs bobbing down the river. Also Legolas's comment about Gimli (Gloin's then infant son) got an out-loud chuckle from me.

I liked Bolg, the orc that stood in for Azog. He was pretty cool. Also Azog and the orc story getting a bit more play time was interesting.

Beorn was a really enigmatic character in the book. I think him and his story were over-simplified.

Lastly, I'm a bit miffed that the movie seemed to try and soften Thorin's greed by giving it purpose.

Over-all is was really fun to watch - as P.Jackson's Middle-earth movies always are. I saw it in 3-D but the 3-D was underwhelming - added very little to the viewing.

It took me awhile to figure out where I'd seen here before, the red hair was throwing me off, but that's Evangeline Lilly. She's best known for playing Kate on Lost.

As to the movie, I liked it a bit more than the first one. I think it's because I gave up on them being faithful to the book and just went with it. As a fantasy action movie, it's very well done, and pretty damn entertaining, but it's so different from the book in so many ways that it's not even worth comparing them. Though, I will agree that Beorn got the shaft, he's barely even in the movie.