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Getting back into it, I noticed mainly that, especially during panning shots, everything seemed to pass by a lot more quickly than it normally does – rather like the CGI in a video game, naturally because there’s twice as many frames on view. This can be disconcerting initially, but you soon get into it and forget about any initial issues and, knowing this was intentional I just sat back and lapped it up.
There were many wonderful sights to behold, particularly the detail on Smaug from his firey belly to his gnarly face. Such detail that you’ll never see as well again on any smaller screen. And, like last time, the sights were distracting me from paying attention to any plot developments so when there was the odd scene of chit chat and little else, I was still gawping at the luscious scenery. As well as the luscious Evangeline Lilly (below) as Tauriel 😉
Cast-wise, everyone does a great job as always. There seems to be more for Ken Stott to do as Balin, this time round, while Benedict Cumberbatch excels at being the mighty and devilish Smaug.
As the film went on, I was wondering how There And Back Again could be carried as a whole film if it was simply the dwarves all returning to their homes. However, by the end, I could see Peter Jackson and co. have set things up nicely for a cracking finale.
This is definitely a film to take the family to over Xmas and New Year. It has more action but is still very long. It might be a little too much for young children, though, as it’s a 12A and earns that from a number of violent battle scenes which include decapitation and arrows through the head, but since this happens to fantasy creatures, the BBFC will allow a low certificate.
Cert: 
Running time: 161 minutes
Year: 2012
Released: December 13th 2013
Widescreen: 2.35:1 (Redcode RAW (5K))
Viewed at: Odeon Cinema, Manchester Printworks
Rating: 8/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Producers: Carolynne Cunningham, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Zane Weiner
Screenplay: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro (based on the novel by JRR Tolkien)
Music: Howard Shore
Cast:
Gandalf: Ian McKellen
Bilbo Baggins: Martin Freeman
Thorin Oakenshield: Richard Armitage
Balin: Ken Stott
Dwalin: Graham McTavish
Bifur: William Kircher
Bofur: James Nesbitt
Bombur: Stephen Hunter
Fili: Dean O’Gorman
Kili: Aidan Turner
Oin: John Callen
Gloin: Peter Hambleton
Nori: Jed Brophy
Dori: Mark Hadlow
Ori: Adam Brown
Legolas: Orlando Bloom
Tauriel: Evangeline Lilly
Thranduil: Lee Pace
Galadriel: Cate Blanchett
Smaug: Benedict Cumberbatch
Beorn: Mikael Persbrandt
Radagast: Sylvester McCoy
Bard: Luke Evans
Master of Laketown: Stephen Fry
Spider (voice): Brian Sergent
Spider (voice): Peter Vere-Jones
Dain Ironfoot: Billy Connolly (uncredited)
Saruman: Christopher Lee (uncredited)
Elrond: Hugo Weaving (uncredited)
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.