The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - TWO DISC Special Edition

This film is a worthy sequel to the first in the trilogy - it starts as simply awe inspiring to merely brilliant towards the end. As some of the reviews say it does slip a little but it is still one of the most fantastically presented films of it's type that I have seen. I really do think the book purists are getting it wrong again. These films are BASED on the books, as far as I can see there has never been any promise that they would beexact replicas of the books. So relax, enjoy the films for what they are. They are fantastic fantasy films in their own right and should be enjoyed as such. I'm a trekkie. Have been for 50 years. When the next generation was shown all you could hear was "I'm not watching that, it'll never be as good as the original'. In actual fact it wasn't nor could it be. However, I put the Original Star Trek to one side. Sat back put a boxed set of Next Generaton and enjoyed it thoroughly, before going back to the original series. People who block anything new for the love of the original often miss out on something different and enjoyable, which is a shame. I've read the books, they are masterpieces but it didn't stop me enjoying these films. The acting is sublime and the direction precise. The lighting crew should have got an oscar especially for the Gandalf scene and the superb scenery is enhanced by special effects to die for which just blow your mind. Awsome in so many ways, I'd advise to sit back and enjoy the ride.

There is something amazing about Tolkiens works. Peter Jakson’s Movies are simply amazing. The extended edition is for those always craving for more of the good stuff.

Plenty of people have focused on the quality of the film itself, so I'm not going to say very much about that. Suffice to say, if you don't know what a Jackson movie version of a Tolkien story is going to be like yet, you might be in for a surprise. Other than the obvious liberties and plot items to stretch the story into three full length films and set the prequel scene for Lord of the Rings, it's really not that bad. A bit over padded and fluffy, but still watchable.This is more to do with the quality of the print on this BluRay version, and the 3D, both of which were very good. The picture and sound quality are strong and the 3D is well utilised, but not so overdone that it takes your attention from the action. The film being shot largely in CGI helps, of course, because there's less real scenery to worry about and quite a lot of the set pieces lend themselves rather well to the shiny hi-def 3D on display here, particularly some of the fight or chase scenes.Audio track is clear and well balanced and the dialogue is audible and not hidden amongst the dramatics of the score or soundtrack.Shame about the 3D version being on two BluRay discs, really. And about the incongruous cut point. The timing of the end of disc one could've been much better

The Hobbit is pure magic in the most magical way. Never has a book been told so well.3 episodes of pure magic.

I had hoped The Hobbit would just fall into place pre-Lord of the Rings, a trilogy which I loved, including the books. However, I did enjoy the hobbit. I liked the characters etc and much of the acting was pretty good especially Ian McKellen as always - but - why I why did they not use the same filming techniques that worked so well and had so much praise for the LOTR films. All the CGI all the rushed special affects to knock a film out more quickly and use less of an imagination affected the film - all the Hobbit films really, to such an amount that I only really bought them to add to the collection of LOTR rather than because I really wanted to watch them again.

A true classis. A must watch

Rather than a sequel to "An Unexpected Journey", a slow and somewhat ponderous start to the trilogy, this film was more of an extension of Lord of The Rings with lots of action, and excellent CGI. However parts of it were overlong, such as Bilbo interacting with the dragon which went on and on. I know these films are fantasy, but even in fantasy is it realistic to expect a bunch of dwarves to be able to escape, time after time, Smaug's fiery attacks? And also, the Orcs, who look to have worked out in a gym for years on end and fed on steroid enhanced protein, are easily felled, several at a time, by the smallest of the dwarves.I watched this film because I had booked to see Part 3 at the cinema, and wanted to catch up. Having seen the final part of the trilogy I can confirm that the action is only just beginning to crank up in "The Desolation of Smaug". If you enjoyed Lord of the Rings, don't mind a radical departure from the book, and don't want to be encumbered by an intricate plot, then this is the film for you, and it will serve as an excellent taster for "The Battle of The Five Armies".

Second in a trilogy and kept my sttention. Not overly far-fetched or gory. There are some nice effects and the make-up and costumes were brilliant. Good afternoon viewing with my grandson.