J.R.R. Tolkien’s immortal novel The Hobbit is currently being reimagined by director Peter Jackson in his attempt to play off of the immense popularity of his Lord of the Rings triology. The Hobbit, a single book and prequel to the LOTR series, is being fractured by Jackson into a three-part franchise of its own, the first of which hit the silver screen back in December and currently sits as IMDB’s #204 on its list of Top 250 movies–as voted by users. Today, the first trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was released and will follow up with Bilbo and the boys (excuse me, Dwarfs) as they continue their hazardous trek to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom.
Opening in 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters on December 13, the film features much of the same cast in the first movie and the LOTR seies including Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, and Hugo Weaving.
According to popular movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey only boasts a 65% approval rating, but what the Hell do they know? The audience rating spikes to a more apt 84%.
In The Desolation of Smaug, the unsuspecting crew of Bilbo the Hobbit, a baker’s dozen worth of Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield, and our wizardly mentor Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains where Bilbo has obtained the fabled ring of power after out-dueling the creature Gollum in a match of wits.
The expedition then turns their sights to the Lonely Mountain to regain their gold and forgotten kingdom from the ruling authority Smaug the dragon, “a most specially greedy, strong and wicked worm.” If only an unlikely hero could, so to speak, find the chink in Smaug’s armor and save the town below the mountain and give the Dwarves their coveted prize.
The estimated $150 million budget for the film looks to have been put to good use with plenty of special effect action and a realistic, as dragons come anyway, character in Smaug. Check out the trailer and let us know what you think.
Having yet to see An Unexpected Journey, I don’t feel qualified yet to judge how The Desolation of Smaug looks in comparison to Jackson versions past. For those who have seen and plan on seeing every single film to date, what do you think of the first trailer?
