Movie Preview - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

     Coming into December, we all have our movies to look forward to. This film I am looking forward to especially. The legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien is returning to the theaters to take audiences on another thrilling adventure into Middle-Earth. I will admit that I was unsure of Tolkien's classic prequel to the Lord of the Rings novels becoming a movie trilogy (I'm still unsure about it but I'm not making the decisions), if I was to trust anyone with this task, it would be Peter Jackson. So far, the director has not disappointed.

     The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

     In this second part of The Hobbit movie trilogy, The Dwarves, Bilbo (Martin Freeman), and Gandalf (Ian McKellan) have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains.Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold and the kingdom of Erebor back from the dragon, Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

     This fantasy-adventure also brings the return of Orlando Bloom to Middle-Earth as the skilled elf archer, Legolas. The audience and die-hard Tolkien fans are also introduced to Tauriel, played by Evangeline Lilly (TV series, Lost). This character is not in the original book but was created by Peter Jackson and screenwriter, Fran Walsh. Bard the Bowman, the heir of Girion, the last king of old Dale, is played by Luke Evans (Fast and Furious 6). We see more of Bard in this preview and I'm very interested to see this character on the silver screen. The character I am mostly looking forward to is Beorn, played by Mikael Persbrandt. The human skin-changer, who plays an important role in the book, will have a more prominent role in this film adaptation.

     All in all, I'd say this return to Middle-Earth will be just as epic as the last. This film is scheduled to be released on December 13.