I had a great time watching The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in the cinema but man, is it ever a messed up flick. Too long and bloated with tone-deaf action beats and character arcs that meander off to nowhere, all the while leaving the main character, Bilbo – the stories driving force – hung out to dry. It’s really a shame because I feel like there’s a pretty great little movie hiding in there. Maybe one day we’ll see a single cut of all three Hobbit films that does away with everything unnecessary in the narrative. Until then, let’s just enjoy this Blu-ray release of the second film in the trilogy, which’ll be in stores April 8.
- “The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, continue their journey to reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Along the way, they encounter the skin-changer Beorn; giant Spiders of Mirkwood; Wood-elves led by Legolas, Tauriel and King Thranduil; and a mysterious Man named Bard, who smuggles them into Lake-town. Finally reaching the Lonely Mountain, they face their greatest danger – the Dragon Smaug.“
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
(April 8, 2014 – MSRP $35.99)
Video: 1.78:1 1080p
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set – Experience the film’s challenges and demands, and journey alongside the director into Mirkwood, Lake-town and Dale as the movie’s most intense, pivotal scenes are created:
- In the Company of the Hobbit
- All in a Day’s Work
- Production Videos – Watch as the production comes to life as Peter Jackson gives you an inside look at the making of The Desolation of Smaug
- New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 2 – Travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-earth
- Music Video – “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran; the beautiful theme song from the film is illuminated with this intimate music video
