The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug [Blu-ray] [2013]

So, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug picks up where the first film left us and Peter even decided to give us a little introduction to the film to rattle our neurons and help remind us as to what the film is about before throwing us straight into the action (much like in the Two Towers, if you remember). This was very pleasant as it gave the audience the chance to settle into the film and focus their attention on what they were watching before the action started, rather than still thinking about the trailers that they had just seen. After this introduction, which takes place in Bree and features a cameo of Peter Jackson eating a carrot (a reference to the Fellowship of The Ring), the film really gets going. We are introduced to the rather iconic character Beorn, although I was a little disappointed at the fact he was only featured for a few minutes, on reflection I realised that if the scene had been extended then the pace of the film would have slowed down and impatient cinema goers would have complained about the long introduction, much like what happened with the first film. For me there were three defining and rather incredible sequences that stitched the film together. I will warn you that if you do not want to spoil the film, stop reading NOW, although it may add to the anticipation if you do read on. The first sequence involves the spiders of Mirkwood. MIRKWOOD: Mirkwood was represented as it was in the book, a hallucinogenic nightmare with twists and turns everywhere. After venturing through the forest and becoming lost the thirteen Dwarves and Hobbit, with the help of Bilbo, tremble upon some some spiders...let me rephrase that...giant spiders. Yes the giant spiders come crawling through the trees and wrap the fourteen adventurers in their webs. The following scene was then action packed and filled with lots of weird, wonderful and one very memorable way of killing spiders. In this sequence we also found that Bilbo was not the same as he was in the first film and the adventure, and more notably the ring had begun to take a hold of him. After this action packed sequence is over the Dwarves and Hobbit become trapped by the Elves of Mirkwood who are much more aggressive than Elrond and his chums which I found to be a welcome change as it gave the film a very different film to any of the Lord of The Rings and An Unexpected Journey. The Dwarves and Hobbit eventually escape from the Elves through a very well choreographed and long awaited barrel sequence. THE BARREL SEQUENCE: The barrel sequence is something that I have been waiting for for months (since I saw it in the first trailer back in June) and I can tell you that it was better than I could have ever imagined. At first I was almost disappointed due to the sequence being cut short as the barrels were stopped in their tracks by Orcs and Elves but this only added to the whole excitement of the scene as when the barrels continued on their journey, they really did continue. Describing the sequence is more than difficult as some of the stunts and kills were so elaborate that there is no option but for you to go to the cinema (or buy the film when it comes out) and see them for yourself as they are truly incredible. I wanted the sequenced to continue but I knew that it had to end and when it did I was very satisfied. After the barrel sequence the Dwarves met Bard the Bowman and entered Lake Town through the most amusing means. Laketown felt very dirty and so did the Mayer of Laketown (Stephen Fry) who was a typical Peter Jackson creation with his humorous tone and awful appearance, he was a small echo of the Goblin King from the first film. Eventually after many different stories had taken place, including Gandalf's in the ruins of Dolgul Dur, the Dwarves were in Erebor. SMAUG'S LAIR (EREBOR): Smaug's lair and Smaug himself are something that I struggle to elaborate on as the whole sequence was superb, flawless, epic and as Bilbo says "stupendous". It was truly incredible. It was phenomenal. I cannot possible put into words how amazing it was. And Smaug, oh golly! He was beautiful. He was stunning and flawless in every way! Benedict Cumberbatch was perfect for the role and the texture of his skin, the way he moved, the way he breathed. It was almost too much for me to take. It reminded me of Christmas morning when I was seven. Santa had been and I run down the stairs with my heart thumping to see the presents. Adrenaline runs through my blood and I am totally unaware of what is happening around me. That is what seeing and hearin Smaug was like, but better? I can honestly say that I did get an adrenaline rush when he appeared from under the mass of gold. He was so colossal and Bilbo was so puny, I actually felt scared for Bilbo even though I knew that he couldn't possible die. The whole sequence itself was marvelous and it wasn't short lived (thank goodness). And the Dwarves came up with a rather cunning plot to try and "destroy the dragon" (couldn't help that, sorry). And the end of the film. OH. MY. GOD! What an ending. The cinema was packed, almost every seat taken and yet there wasn't a peep from anyone. But at the end I couldn't help but blurt out "NO!" just before the screen went black. I knew it would end there. (Like most people) I have seen many many films and since I can remember when people have asked me "What's your favorite film?" I would always say "Oh I don't know" and give off a long list of films that I love. This year I have been passing the first Hobbit off as one of my favorite films (and it is) but The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the greatest film I have ever seen in my life. And all I can say is thank you, thank you Peter Jackson and all of you in New Zealand. Thank you for presenting a flawless masterpiece. Now as you can see I love The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug but I went to see it a second time in IMAX 3D and for the first 5 minutes it was amazing..I actually felt as though I was in Bree and it looked like I was in the same room as Peter Jackson (eating his carrot). Then as the film got going and we got to Beorn's house the 3D just became bad! Instead of being drawn into the film..i was out of it. I tried to enjoy the Spiders of Mirkwood but I couldn't and the same goes for the barrel sequence..infact I was out of the film until the Dwarves entered Erebor. Smaug was obviously still incredible!! I was almost lost in the whole scene but that is because there was hardly any 3D...and it was on IMAX! Throughout the film the picture quality was pretty poor..infact at some points it was appauling! And I could tell when the characters were stood infront of a green screen because they were imposed and were no longer intergrated into the film. And no one laughed in the IMAX 3D showing..well, on person did. There were twice as many people in the IMAX showing and one measly person laughed whereas in the 2D version practically the whole cinema was filled with laughter. If i had have scene it in 3D The first time I would have probably hated the film..it just made it so bad, really bad. When watching it felt as though I was watching a film at home that I'd put on just to have some noise in the background. Overall it was bad..but only in 3D. In 2D it was serioisly incredible. It was perfect! Just outstanding! So please DON'T judge it if you'vd only seen it in 3D...gl and watch it in 2D, you'll really enjoy it!

Another brilliant DVD! Fantastic film.

Brilliant film, if you like any of the other films in this series, you’ll love this

The dvd: Contains the version of the film that was shown at the cinema. Thus you may wish to leave this and not buy it pending the extended edition that will be out later in 2014. It has the following language and subtitle options: Languages: English, Italian. Subtitles: English, Italian. It begins with no trailers at all, and goes straight into the main menu. It has three extras: Two different cinema trailers for the film. New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth: Part two. A six minute long featurette all about the production and the scenery. With slightly more focus on the latter. This continues things on from part one, which was on the 'Man of Steel' Dvd. For no apparent reason. It contains six minutes worth of stunning scenery, so it's well worth a watch. The dvd does not, contrary to early information on amazon, contain the usual flyer and code for downloading a UV copy. But if you pre-ordered it in the expectation that it would, then Amazon should have sent you an email by now with a website link and code for such. That's everything that anyone who has seen the film and wants to know about the product could need to know, so therefore this review can't be classed as anything but helpful. The two people who vote every single review of every single dvd as being unhelpful will probably think otherwise, but that's their problem. If you haven't seen the film yet: Then be sure to have watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [DVD ] first, because otherwise you might be rather confused as to what's going on. Even if you've read the book by Professor Tolkien entitled 'The Hobbit' upon which this trilogy of movies is somewhat loosely based. This version continues on from where said first film left off. And is in the same style. Ie: some bits from the book get in here. Some, such as Beorn's house and Mirkwood go by a bit quickly - which might be a relief to arachnophobes in the case of the latter - others such as Lake-town, the barrels, and Smaug's lair are just the opposite. Legolas pops up. Along with Tauriel [Evangeline Lilly] an elf lady whom he is rather sweet on. She does a very good accent. He gets to shoot lots of orcs with arrows once again. As a whole this does start to get into it's stride, and is a better film than the first one as a result. Gandalf gets sidetracked as a way to set certain things up. Once again, this is trying to do what the first trilogy did, so that it will form a good prequel and that in years to come those watching these films for the first time will get something special. What those who saw the first trilogy think of that approach in the meantime is a matter of opinion. Some more of the Dwarves do make more of an impression this time, by virtue of the group getting split up. And the comedy double act Dwarves do get more serious. Which is a relief. Stephen Fry is very good as the mayor of Lake-Town. Luke Evans is very good as Bard the Bowman. Smaug is a magnificent CGI creation. Superbly voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. But as with many big movies these days, the climax is somewhat drawn out, and it doesn't seem to know when to end. But when it does, it does on a superb cliffhanger. So I'm looking forward to the third film. Still not on a par with the first trilogy, but getting better.

Peter Jackson has once again excelled himself! The film picks up where we left off, with Thorin and the Company heading from The Carrock into Beorn's land. Beorn is a great character, and his scenes are fantastic. Apparently there's more of him in the Extended Edition so that's more to look forward to. Mirkwood and the Woodland Realm are beautiful to see. I'm glad Peter has included Legolas in the story, Tolkien had never written the character of Legolas until Lord of the Rings, where we learned he is son of Thranduil. It is common sense that Legolas was there during the events of the Hobbit, just as he is in the intervening years before Lord of the Rings before Thranduil sends him to the Council of Elrond. A good move by Jackson and good to see Legolas again. Then of course we come to the villains. Again, Peter has been a sensible decision to include the entire Gandalf/Dol Guldur subplot, written by Tolkien many years after The Hobbit. We finally see Gandalf enter Dol Guldur and discover the identity of the Necromancer as Sauron. Sauron's portrayal here is done superbly, we see how he does not yet possess a physical form, but he is still enormously powerful, taking the form of shadow and flame. And of course we have Smaug. By far the finest dragon ever to be put on screen, and Cumberbatch's performance is perfect for the character, and makes Smaug seem that little more real. This film has great characters, great locations in Middle Earth we never saw in Lord of the Rings, a great soundtrack by Howard Shore, and is a perfect set up for There and Back Again. Get this film!

I admit having being a bit disappointed by 'The Hobbit: an unexpected journey': I thought the movie was taking too much time in 'setting the set' for the audience. No trouble with this movie, though! 'The Hobbit: the desolation of Smaug' is amazing and filled with action, from the fight between orcs and elves while the dwarfs flee King Thranduil's dungeons, the discovery of Lake Town and the confrontation with Smaug the dragon (wonderfully voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). All the actors are top-notch, with a special mention to Martin Freeman. His portrayal of Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit not exactly made for adventure but nonetheless holding his own in a tough crew of dwarves, makes his character simply adorable. Ian McKellen is having the time of his life playing Gandalf. Orlando Bloom is as beautiful as ever in his hit role as Prince Legolas and his meeting with Gimli's father is hilarious! This movie ends with quite a cliffhanger: Smaug, angered by the dwarves' attempts to subdue him, flies to Lake Town with promises of retribution on the helpless population. Will a certain arrow find its final target?

Amazon won't let me review the new extended edition box set because this review was already up there. Shame. The extended box set is so much better even if it lengthens the movie even more. The extended scenes with Gandalf and a surpise character suddenly appearing in the Necromancer's lair really enhanced the storyline. I thought the other extra scenes wove well into the film and enhanced without being obtrusive. Like many reviewers I bemoan the introduction of non Tolkien characters such as Tauriel; I did not like Stephen Fry's characterisation of'the Master' in Laketown which would have been better suited to a Dr Who episode and the barrel ride is just a computer game brought to the screen. And so to my original review ...... I missed this in the cinema but this DVD version on a biggish TV is excellent. So it is an overlong retelling of hobbit in some eyes but I love the slow development which reminds me of the pleasure of reading Tolkien first time around. Can't wait for episode 3 but I will have to. I just hope that at the end of episode 3 - Battle of the 5 armies - we get a nice seamless segue into the first and earlier film in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy so that all 6 box sets make a new telling of the stories which can be watched back to back. (even allowing for Martin Freeman morphing into Ian Holm as Bilbo).

All right, let's get the slight negative out of the way : I am not fully convinced by the " romance" storyline between the elf and the dwarf. Does that make me prejudiced? It's just that I don't think it adds anything to the story. That said, the film is absolutely brilliant. Seeing Laketown in greater detail is great, giving us a wider appreciation of the danger that the dwarves and 1 Hobbit are about to unleash upon that corner of Middle Earth. Richard Armitage, without going over the top, shows us a dwarf who is tragically heading for doom. Martin Freeman is just superb as Bilbo and as for the dragon - top marks for a brilliant on screen creation. And for those who said they can't believe such a dragon can be outsmarted by small people - open your eyes and ears to what is going on in those scenes, this is where Peter Jackson DOES succeed in making this part of the tale credible. Brilliant 2nd film after a sound start, can't wait for the final film!

国内での発売を待つ予定でしたがUK盤が出品者からお求め出来るようになっていたので手を出してしまいました。私はPS3を持っているので問題なく日本語字幕は出ましたし、もちろん日本語で観ることも可能でした。ただ私自身の管理不足で観る直前になってPS3本体のシステムアップデートをしなければならないという事態に少々焦りましたが…(^^;) UK盤の内容の詳細は他の方も書かれているので割愛いたします。 国内盤の発売は7月ということですね。既にUK版を買った身ですが国内盤のブルーレイ＆DVDセットの初回限定盤を予約済みです。ジャケットが違いますしやはりファンなら揃えておきたいですしね。本編はきっとどちらも同じだとは思いますが。ブルーレイディスクでの感想といたしましてはやはり色合いがぐっと落ち着いていますしとてもクリアです。エレボールの黄金ひとつひとつが細かく観れます。国内盤が発売されたらDVDとの違いなど見比べたいと思います。今は先に届いたUK盤で本編の細かいところまで観るととうお楽しみ2倍コースをじっくり楽しみたいと思います。 国内盤発売まであと2ヶ月になりましたがそれまで待てない、UK版も買ってみようかな、という方は是非。送料込の値段としては良い価格だと思います。ちなみにロイヤルメールできっかり1週間で我が家には届きました。ただ国内から送られてくる時みたいに荷物の発送状況などが分からなかったので届くまでの間少し不安なところもありましたが。笑 それ以外は特になにもなく商品も綺麗な状態で届いたのでよかったです。 国内盤に続きエクステンデット・エディションもすごく楽しみです。

Love, love, love this movie

Great movie but way overpriced!!! Waited 2 months for delivery! The day it arrived local bookstore had for $5!!!! I paid $18!!!

leider falsch gekauft , keine deutsche übersetzung

When I ordered this DVD apparently I didn't see in the description a statement about it not being able to be viewed in certain regions. When I emailed the seller, they were kind enough to credit me back y money for the DVD. So I caution to read ALL the details on the page, although I thought I had but apparently I missed that section.