Following the success and critically acclaimed triology adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson has once again tackled another fantasy epic of Tolkien's. Filmed in high frame resolution, the movie is a spectacle for the eyes. At 48 frames per second (the human eyes see at a rate of 60 fps), it seems so real that you feel like you are part of the action.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and the Company of Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) who embark on a journey to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, which has been taken over by the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch). In typically Lord of the Rings fashion, they run into a million and four orcs and goblins, which result in some epic battle scenes.
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Source: Cineplex
Along the way, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Co. find refuge with the Elves. Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, and Christopher Lee reprise their roles as Lord Elrond, Galadriel, and Saruman the White, respectively. Gandalf explains what Radagast the Brown (Sylvester McCoy) has told him about a dark magic in the forest, the necromancer, to the the trio. Against the wishes of the Council, and with the possibility of the Dark Lord Sauron still alive looming over their heads, Gandalf, Bilbo, and the Dwarves continue on to Misty Mountains where everyone but Bilbo is captured by Goblins. It is here where Gollum (Andy Serkis) makes his appearance, and where Bilbo eventually gets hold of the One Ring.