The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hobbit and some dwarves bother a dragon who just wanted to sleep on his gold, then everyone’s sad because the dragon decides to take his anger out on the local real estate.

🍿 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Journey to Mirkwood

Following their escape from the Misty Mountains, Thorin and his company seek refuge with Beorn, a shapeshifter. Gandalf warns them about the dangers of Mirkwood Forest and departs to investigate dark forces rising in Dol Guldur. The dwarves, now without their wizard, enter the perilous forest, struggling against its oppressive darkness and losing their way. Their path is fraught with peril, testing their unity and resolve.

Spiders and Elven Imprisonment

Deep within Mirkwood, the dwarves are ensnared by giant, venomous spiders. Bilbo, using the One Ring, bravely rescues them, showcasing his growing courage and resourcefulness. They are then captured by the Wood-elves, led by Legolas and Tauriel, and imprisoned. The Elvenking Thranduil seeks to exploit Thorin’s quest for his own purposes, revealing tensions between elves and dwarves.

Barrel Escape and Laketown

Bilbo orchestrates a daring escape from the elven kingdom using barrels, leading to a thrilling river chase involving elves, dwarves, and attacking orcs. The company eventually reaches Laketown, where they seek aid from Bard, a skilled archer and descendant of Girion, the last lord of Dale. Thorin promises the people of Laketown riches from the mountain, gaining their support but raising Bard’s suspicions.

Dol Guldur and the Necromancer

Meanwhile, Gandalf investigates the ruins of Dol Guldur and discovers a growing evil presence. He encounters Radagast and together they uncover the tombs of the Nazgûl, now empty. Gandalf is confronted by the Necromancer, who reveals himself to be Sauron, the Dark Lord. Gandalf is imprisoned, foreshadowing a looming threat to Middle-earth.

The Lonely Mountain and Smaug

Thorin and the remaining dwarves reach the Lonely Mountain, where Bilbo discovers a secret entrance. He is tasked with entering the mountain and retrieving the Arkenstone. Inside, Bilbo awakens Smaug, the fearsome dragon guarding the treasure hoard. A tense confrontation ensues between Bilbo and Smaug, highlighting the hobbit’s bravery and Smaug’s cunning.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman): A hobbit thrust into adventure who grapples with the corrupting influence of the One Ring while aiding Thorin’s company.
• Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage): The proud and determined dwarf king obsessed with reclaiming his homeland, Erebor, and the Arkenstone.
• Gandalf (Ian McKellen): A wise and powerful wizard who guides and protects the Company while investigating a growing darkness.
• Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch): A cunning and powerful dragon who has claimed the Lonely Mountain and its treasure hoard.
• Legolas (Orlando Bloom): An elven prince who fiercely protects his realm and pursues the Orcs threatening Middle-earth.
• Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly): A skilled and compassionate elf warrior who defies her king to protect the innocent and follow her heart.
• Bard (Luke Evans): A skilled archer and descendant of Girion, Lord of Dale who opposes the Master of Laketown and has what it takes to defeat Smaug.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Smaug: “I am fire. I am death.” – Smaug proclaims his terrifying power during his confrontation with Bilbo in the treasure chamber.
• Bilbo: “What do you want, thief?” – Bilbo, invisible, confronts Smaug, referring to him as ‘thief’ and initiating a dangerous game of words.
• Thorin: “If you awaken that beast, you will die!” – Thorin warns Bilbo of the peril when he insists on entering the mountain alone.
• Smaug: “You have nice manners for a thief and a liar.” – Smaug acknowledges Bilbo’s attempt at flattery while seeing through his deceptive words.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $225,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $258,387,334
• Worldwide Gross: $959,079,095

💥 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Reviews

Personal Review

I was blown away by the visuals in ‘The Desolation of Smaug’! Seeing Smaug on the big screen was incredible, Benedict Cumberbatch did an amazing job with the voice acting. I really enjoyed the Mirkwood sequence, even if it was a little creepy. The barrel scene was probably my favourite, it was so action-packed. Overall, it’s a great movie that really made me feel like I was back in Middle-earth.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fantasy fans”
  • “Lord of the Rings enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-adventure films”
  • “Those interested in dragon lore”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense action violence”
  • “Creature violence (spiders, orcs)”
  • “Some frightening imagery”
  • “May be too intense for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “While some of the added subplots feel unnecessary, ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ delivers a thrilling adventure with a magnificent Smaug, brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch. A significant improvement over its predecessor.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite its length and deviations from the source material, ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ is a visually stunning and action-packed film. Cumberbatch’s Smaug is a standout, making this a worthwhile cinematic experience.
• Variety: “Peter Jackson’s ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ roars to life with Benedict Cumberbatch’s brilliant vocal performance as Smaug, elevating the film above its predecessor. The action is relentless, making it a thrilling ride.

Audience Reactions

Smaug’s amazing design and Benedict Cumberbatch’s voice acting stole the show.: The dragon Smaug was a major highlight and the action sequences were very exciting.

The addition of Legolas made the battle sequences so thrilling: The film had fantastic battle sequences that kept you at the edge of your seat.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ is a visually stunning and action-packed adventure, with Benedict Cumberbatch’s Smaug being a major highlight. While it deviates from the book, it delivers an entertaining experience for fans.

Awards

1. MTV Movie Award (Movie of the Year)- 2014

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During filming of the barrel escape scene, Peter Jackson used a ‘barrel cam’ to give the audience a dwarf’s-eye view of the rapids. This innovative technique put the viewer right in the action.”
• “Benedict Cumberbatch not only voiced Smaug but also did the motion capture for the dragon’s facial expressions and movements, bringing a unique physicality to the character.”
• “Evangeline Lilly’s character, Tauriel, was created specifically for the film and does not appear in the original book. Her addition aimed to introduce a strong female presence and a romantic subplot.”
• “The design of Lake-town was inspired by real-world stilt villages and medieval towns, creating a unique and believable environment for the film’s setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Many services offer both rental and purchase options, allowing you to choose the best way to watch.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, you might like these similar films:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): Direct sequel to the same saga, continuing the epic journey and expanding the world of Middle-earth with similar themes of war, fellowship, and the struggle against darkness.
• Dragonheart (1996): Features a noble dragon with a unique personality, similar to Smaug, and explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and the bond between humans and dragons.
• Clash of the Titans (1981): An adventure film that features mythological creatures and perilous quests, sharing the same classic fantasy tropes as ‘The Hobbit’.
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005): Presents a similar heroic journey for younger audiences in a magical world filled with mythical creatures and a battle between good and evil.
• Excalibur (1981): Focuses on a high fantasy narrative rooted in Arthurian lore. Appeals to viewers interested in complex medieval and mythical themes.

🛒 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Related Products

• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Extended Edition [Blu-ray]: Experience 25 minutes of extended footage, bringing you even closer to the adventure with enhanced scenes and additional content. Adds a few more scenes and makes for a complete viewing experience.
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Soundtrack [Audio CD]: Immerse yourself in the music of Middle-earth with Howard Shore’s epic score, including the original song ‘I See Fire’ by Ed Sheeran. Features an amazing score that is worth owning.
• LEGO The Hobbit: Escape from Mirkwood Spiders: Recreate the thrilling Mirkwood Forest scene with this detailed LEGO set, featuring Bilbo, dwarves, and menacing spiders. Brings the iconic scene to life and is great for play and display.
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Movie Poster: Showcase your love for Middle-earth with a high-quality print of the film’s official poster. Has a nice vintage look for any movie room

🎧 Soundtrack

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I See Fire” – performed by Ed Sheeran
• “Mirkwood” – performed by Howard Shore
• “Smaug” – performed by Howard Shore

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How The Desolation of Smaug Should Have Ended

Curious about how ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ could have ended differently? This funny and imaginative video offers an alternative take on the movie’s conclusion.

Re-Issue: Everything Wrong With The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Looking for a humorous and critical take on ‘The Desolation of Smaug’? This CinemaSins video highlights the movie’s flaws with its signature witty style.

Peter Jackson TRICKED the actors in this scene in the Hobbit!

Ever wondered how that iconic arrow reveal in ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ came to be? This short video unveils Peter Jackson’s clever trick that made it happen.

The Life of Smaug & the Dragons of the North | Tolkien Explained

Delve into the captivating mythology of Smaug and the dragons of the North in this comprehensive video that explores their history and significance in Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

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