Taking place 1 year directly after the events of Part I: An Unexpected Journey (2012,), this time, we follow the dwarves, led by Thorin, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf The Grey, as they continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug, who in this movie, they pursue for the entirety of the movie, as the movie builds them getting closer and closer to the mountain he lives in.

 

Also, keep in mind, everyone, that these movies in particular are SO LARGE, in terms of what they offer in each one, so it would take me days to discuss each thing in these movies. So, I am only discussing the important, and key elements of these movies. Moving on.

 

Once again, this movie gives us its amazing cast from the first movie back. Martin Freeman once again returns as the brave Bilbo Baggins. And, this movie has a more balanced ace, so now we get some actual character development in this movie. Bilbo, who was more reluctant in the first movie, has now matured, and become, almost second in command for his band of friends he is journeying with. He is more brave, and more adventurous this time around. And, Freeman's acting is flawless as well. You really get to know Bilbo this time. Ian McKellen also returns once again as Gandalf, and he is just as, if not, even more awesome, than he was in the previous movie. His combat skills have improved, and, again, you really get to know his wise, and intelligent personality. Richard Armitage also returns as Thorin, and so does the entire cast of his Dwarves team. Thorin certainly displays some real character traits this time, and you really get to know him this time. He is brave, always ready to defend his team, but also goes under some pressure in this movie. Once they start heading toward the mountain, he begins to be corrupted by greed, knowing of all the gold and jewels lying inside the mountain Smaug lives in. It almost drives him mad(something that becomes a key plot element in the next movie,), and makes him go violent against his own friends. Sylvester McCoy also returns as Radagast, and is just as sporadic and peaceful as he always is.

 

Returning franchise cast members besides McKellen include Orlando Bloom as Legolas, who in this movie is more of an anti-hero, since he doesn't really want to help the Bilbo and his gang, but more just trade them for money. But, as the movie progresses, he develops a deep liking to them, and slowly becomes their friend. His father, Thrandieul, king of the Elves, played by Lee Pace, also returns in this movie. He is just as cool, and commanding as he always was. Cate Blanchett also returns as Galadriel, and helps give us some insight into her friendship with Gandalf, and her character as well, who we get to know more in this movie. Manu Bennett and John Tui also return as Azog, leader of the Orcs, and Bolg, second in command, of the Orcs. They are this prequel trilogy's secondary villains, cause, let's face it guys, Smaug, is the real villain of this prequel trilogy, ESPECIALLY for this movie! These 2 Orcs however, are more really, just, annoying. They don't pose as much as a single eyelash of threat that Smaug could do better.

 

New cast members include 5 new characters:

-Luke Evans as Bard, an archer/fisherman living in Laketown, whom the Dwarves befriend, and helps them get closer to Smaug. Evan's acting is well done, and he is an interesting character too. He wants to help the Dwarves as much as he can, but also knows of the danger ahead.
 

-Ryan Gage as Alfrid, Laketown's master servant. He is an ok character, but feels a little annoying at times. HIs acting is ok though. Also, speaking of Laketown, keep an eye out for Stephen Colbert in a hilarious cameo as a Laketown spy, when the Laketown police are searching or Bilbo and his friends.
 

-Evangeline Lily as Tauriel, another elf, and Legolas's friend, and one of the dwarves's love interests. Her character is very cool, and interesting, and she really wants to help the Dwarves, and goes from capturing Bilbo and his gang, to helping them. I heard from alot of people that her romance with that dwarve(I forget his name,), was just random, and slowed the movie down. Honestly, I have no problem with it, and it does no change to the film's pace.

 

And, now, for the 5th new character in this film, and cinema's greatest dragon EVER shown on screen...

Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, the EVIL, gold-loving dragon living inside the Lonely Mountain. He is evil, down to the L, he is loud, booming, his voice IS EPICLY AWEOSME and makes Chuck Norris pee his pants with fear, his lunch is the T-Rex from Jurassic Park (1993,), his design is spectacular to look at, he is a genuine threat, the best movie villain EVER, and the movie's buildup to him works flawlessly well.

 

The music by Howard Shore once again works so well, if not, better in this movie this time. The buildup this movie has to sMaug works so well, especially in real time, and the music played during most of this movie works well when played with this movie. Also, the song that plays during this movie's credits, IE, this movie's theme song: "I See Fire," sung by Ed Sheeran, is one of the best film themes of all time. This song fits this movie's darker tone so well, and it fits in a Lord of The Rings movie. And, his voice really shows the emotion and tragicness that our characters await in the next movie. I hate Sheeran's pop songs, but fantasy movies with acoustic guitar and backup choir sounding songs like this song work well for him, especially for his voice.

 

The directing by Peter Jackson (The Hobbit: Part I: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Part III: The Battle of The Five Armies, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring, The Lord of The Rings II: The Two Towers, The Lord of The Rings III: The Return of The King, King Kong (2005 Remake,),), is, well, actually better this time around. The effects look a little bit better this time around, the beautiful and lavish colors work so well again for this movie, and THANK GOD that the pace was actually balanced this time much more than in the last movie. Yeah, it was still uneven, but only in rare scenes or moments. Otherwise, this movie had great pace. Also, the movie's buildup to Smaug works SO well ,especially during the last 40 minutes, when we meet Smaug, face to face. My heart was genuinely pouring and quaking during the watching of this movie, back when I saw it last year, and let me tell you, in the theater, I fell silent the whole time, and when they got to Smaug, my body was shivering and quenching in fear. Again, I compare this movie to the next Star Wars prequel. Just like this movie, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002,), was ALOT better than Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999,), but still suffered from bad dialogue at times, however, the action was better, and the film had more of it, the effects looked much better, as Lucas was getting more of the hang of his newly discovered CGI effects from ILM, but the story was a little uneven, and the pace was better, but still uneven in parts. The same can be said for Peter Jackson for THIS movie. The effects for THIS movie got better, the 48 FPS frame rate is flawless as usual, there was more, but still not enough action in this movie, the story was MUCH more intense, suspenseful, and intriguing this time, we get some ACTUALY character development for the cast this time, and the film's pace, while still a little slow and uneven sometimes ,definitely picked itself up this time around. Overall, THIS movie was a definite improvement, but, since we all waited for this movie to come a year later after it's previous installment, honestly, it could have been done better. I'm giving this movie an 8.5 out of 10.