The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug

I rushed out to hire a copy of the previous Hobbit movie (An Unexpected Journey) before going to see this second instalment. I loved the book and have read it a few times, but not for a while, so it was good to refresh my memory by watching the first one. This second (but not final) movie carries on the story of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield and the other dwarves, as they battle the Orcs and overcome obstacles to finally reach the Lonely Mountain and wake the sleeping dragon within. The 3D effects brought the action scenes right into your lap – I found myself flinching a few times as objects seemed to come whirling towards me. The scenery was stunning, as it was in the Lord of The Rings movies, and there were plenty of references to characters and events that would appear years later in those stories. The only downside is that I will have to wait another year now to see the final episode of The Hobbit.