My review in brief:
Most enjoyable.
Although too long.
But I think this is the PJ film with least annoyances.
Even given that utterly ludicrous sequence with Smaug and the Dwarves using his dragonfire to fire up the forges. Beyond daft, all of that, and very very PJ.
But. Most enjoyable.
- Martin's Bilbo continues to be an utter joy. I loved how kick-ass Bilbo was in Mirkwood! Oh, if only PJ had understood the heroism of Bilbo's heir aright.
- Smaug is just a fabulous villain. Cumberbatch nails his conceitedness as well as his wiliness!
- Sauron, in this film, was BRILLIANTLY realised.
- Balin overcome with emotion at the door of Erebor. Beautiful moment.
- I adored the set design for Thranduil's realm. Adored it. The Mirkwood Elves are less upgrade than the Lothlórien Elves, and that's canon. They have a dangerous, unpredictable edge to them, and that's canon too.
- Honestly, I loved Legolas being all hard-ass in this instalment. He seems to have mellowed a lot by FotR.
- Tauriel. I liked her.
Much is forgiven PJ because a) Evangeline is a decent actress and b) the Kili thing foreshadows Gimli/Galadriel.
- I loved Beorn.
- And Thorin. And everyone else.
- And Bard.
The film is STAGGERINGLY beautiful. Just gorgeous in every respect.
That'll do for now.
I enjoyed it very much. I'll go again!
"Frodo undertook his quest out of love - to save the world he knew from disaster at his own expense, if he could ... "
Letter no. 246, The Collected Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
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