Released in 2013, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the second film in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy. While it’s based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel, Jackson’s vision and style create a new mythical world that goes beyond the original story.
The first film, An Unexpected Journey (2012), introduced Bilbo Baggins’ adventure and his discovery of the One Ring. This sequel follows Bilbo and the dwarves as they continue their journey to the Lonely Mountain.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, published in 1937, is a children’s novel serving as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings. The original story is a relatively simple adventure tale, following the plot of Bilbo Baggins, an ordinary hobbit, who sets out with Gandalf and the dwarves to reach the Lonely Mountain, occupied by the dragon Smaug.
Director Peter Jackson kept the original’s simplicity but added material from Tolkien’s other works and appendices to connect it with The Lord of the Rings. For example, this film includes new scenes like Legolas’s appearance and Gandalf’s visit to Dol Guldur.
The pacing and action are much better in this film, making it an improvement over the previous one.
When I watched The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, my first reaction was pure excitement: “This is it!” I felt the previous film, An Unexpected Journey, was somewhat lacking. Its pacing felt a bit slow, taking too long for the story to truly get moving.
This film, on the other hand, draws us into Middle-earth right away with constant action.
The Barrel Ride: Theme Park Ride-Level Excitement
Reading many reviewer comments, it was striking how many predicted the “barrel ride” scene would become a theme park attraction someday. Indeed, this scene delivers excitement more akin to an immersive attraction than a movie.
The idea of dwarves hiding in barrels and floating down the river is funny on its own, but when orcs chase them, and elves join in, it turns into a wild battle. Barrels go over waterfalls, hit orcs, and Legolas jumps onto a barrel. The nonstop creative action makes it hard not to smile.
This scene stands out because it’s not just about action—it also shows the dwarves’ teamwork. Even while stuck in barrels, they work together to fight their enemies. In these moments, we see the dwarves beginning to act like a real team.
The Terror of Mirkwood: The Battle with the Spiders
In the previous film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the scene with the spiders in the Dark Forest was terrifying. In this film too, the sight of giant spiders creeping through the trees is like a nightmare come to life.
What’s fascinating is the setting where Bilbo can only hear the spiders’ conversations when he wears the One Ring. The spiders aren’t speaking human language; the fact that their thoughts are conveyed only to Bilbo through the Ring’s power is a powerful hint at the Ring’s evil influence.
Although these spiders aren’t as famous as Shelob from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the fear of being attacked by many at once might be even greater. The moment when the dwarves are trapped in spider silk is agitated.
The Final Battle in the Forge: The Dwarves’ Resourcefulness
The scene in the mountain of treasure is also spectacular. Though Smaug is said to be about 44 meters long, the mountain of gold makes even that enormous dragon appear small, visually conveying the sheer scale of the “wealth” the dwarves seek to reclaim. The scene where Smaug, buried in gold, awakens possesses a nightmarish beauty.
One of the film’s climaxes, the “Battle in the Forge,” really shows off the dwarves’ skills and teamwork. They use the giant forge under the Lonely Mountain to try to trap Smaug.
Their plan to use molten gold to make a giant statue and crash it into Smaug seems reckless at first, but it highlights the dwarves’ skill and bravery. The mix of fire, gold, and a furious dragon looks fantastic on screen.
The moment the golden statue is completed, Smaug finds himself mesmerized by it – a touch of black humor. No matter how terrifying the dragon may be, his obsession with gold remains uncontrollable. This weakness lends Smaug a human touch (or perhaps a dragon touch?).
The Shift in Focus from Bilbo to Thorin
One of the most intriguing aspects of this film is the shift in protagonism, effectively moving from “Bilbo Baggins” to “Thorin Oakenshield.” While the original ‘The Hobbit’ is Bilbo’s coming-of-age story, this adaptation centers on Thorin, the dwarf prince portrayed by Richard Armitage.
Thorin is a warrior determined to win back his lost kingdom, and his sense of duty is similar to Aragorn’s in The Lord of the Rings. In this trilogy, Thorin is the “Aragorn figure,” leading the dwarves while struggling with his obsession with gold.
The Chilling “My Precious”
When Bilbo first whispers “My precious” after beating the spider, it’s chilling for anyone who knows the later Lord of the Rings films. This one phrase hints that he might be starting down the same path as Gollum.
Legolas: The Cold-Blooded Elf of His Youth
One of the most talked-about parts of this film is the addition of characters who weren’t in the original book. Legolas, played by Orlando Bloom, especially caused a lot of debate among fans.
I was happy to see Legolas return. In The Lord of the Rings, he’s already friends with Gimli and understands the dwarves. But here, Legolas is shown as a cold and proud elf who hasn’t changed yet. Seeing this younger version adds depth to his character and shows his growth.
Legolas also significantly elevated the film’s action sequences. During the barrel ride down the river, his leaping across the water to defeat enemies blended ballet-like grace with acrobatic movement, creating truly “dancing combat.”
Tauriel: A Mixed Bag of a New Character
Opinions are mixed about the character Tauriel. Director Peter Jackson said he added her so the story wouldn’t be about men alone. She’s a likable character, and her fight scenes are impressive.
However, the romance that develops between Tauriel and the dwarf Kili feels somewhat abrupt and unnatural. This romantic element was probably added based on the commercial decision that “blockbuster movies need romance.” Still, it feels slightly detached from the main storyline, and some of the romance scenes come across as cheap. That said, I liked Tauriel’s character, and I’m looking forward to seeing her in the next film.
Baldor: A foreshadowing for the next installment
In addition to the main characters, this film features many appealing supporting characters. Baldor (Luke Evans) appears as a smuggler in the lake town, but he is actually an essential character in the next installment. His father was once the king of Dale, the valley kingdom, but Smaug destroyed the kingdom. The “Black Arrow” that Bard possesses will play an essential role in the next film. His story, like Thorin’s, follows the structure of “reclaiming lost heritage,” and it shares similarities with Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings.”
CGI and Live-Action Balance: Technical Challenges and Success
The film looks great overall, but some things stand out. In scenes where Legolas is entirely CGI, it’s clear that making humans look real with computer graphics is still tough. Even with new technology, it’s hard to capture the small details and movements of people or elves.
The Stunning CGI of Smaug
On the other hand, the CGI for Smaug is excellent. His scales, the glow in his throat when he breathes fire, and especially his facial expressions make him one of the best dragons ever seen in a movie.
Optimal Balance of Live-Action and CGI
Furthermore, this film featured more orcs created using actual makeup and prosthetics than its predecessor, contributing significantly to enhanced realism. While fully CGI orcs also appear, the balance with those portrayed by actual actors is well-executed, resulting in minimal incongruity.
Summary: Tolkien × Jackson Weave a New Mythology
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug improved on the first film and became one of the best in the trilogy. It gives fans everything they wanted: Benedict Cumberbatch’s powerful voice as Smaug, the memorable barrel ride down the river, and the return of Legolas.
Of course, there are things to criticize, like changes from the original story and added commercial elements. Still, this film is magical and makes you want to return to Middle-earth again.
Just as Smaug is drawn to gold, maybe we’ve also fallen under this film’s spell. And honestly, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
The next installment, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, depicts the showdown with Smaug and the battle.
