The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

I enjoyed The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug more than I thought I would, though I did expect to at least like it.  I found An Unexpected Journey a little long. Though this second movie was only a few minutes shorter than the first, it felt shorter. There weren't as many scenes of the group crossing the countryside. There was a lot more action.  Perhaps there was more action in the movie than was in the actual book, but after An Unexpected Journey I've kind of given up on The Hobbit movies being like the book.  It's similar enough and though Legolas was not it The Hobbit I enjoyed seeing him and his bow. However, (SPOILER) love triangle with a dwarf? Really?  I like it, but don't like it at the same time.  I know they probably added the female elf to get a female into the movie, but only to be in a love triangle.  Hmm...

There were a lot of things I loved about this movie.  It was beautiful.  I actually really liked the elven prisons. I thought Legolas's relationship with his father was interesting and the King's perspective on the outside world.  I loved Bilbo.  I loved the dwarves staying with Kili... I love Kili in general.  I loved the piles of gold and the things peaking out of the gold.  I love that the movie kept me excited.

I was sorry that I didn't get to see The Desolation of Smaug in theatres.  Timing and children were at play here.  It looks like it would have been worth it.  I'm glad to have finally seen the second Hobbit movie and I'm looking forward to the third.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

The third installment of Pirates of the Caribbean was fun & exciting. At World’s End really brought you to the end of the world. From the edges of the pirating world to Davey Jones’ Locker, Pirates was filled with great twists and turns. The fight scenes and escape scenes were fantastic. Jack Sparrow’s mind is an interesting place to get lost.

Johnny Depp gives another fantastic performance as Jack Sparrow. He’s rugged and dirty and hilarious. How sexy is Orlando Bloom? (I think I love him a little.) Especially while he turns the wheel of the Flying Duchman. Kiera Knightly gives damsels a chance to kick as the Pirate King. But, has she lost a lot of weight. She looks really thin in the film. (Also in the June issue of Vogue she looks super thin. What she always this thin?)

One problem, it’s just too long! I could have done without about half an hour of that film. The pacing was off too. It didn’t feel steady. I think they official run time is 2hours 48mins. Those 48mins were probably not necessary. I really like the beginning, I really like the end. They should have cut something out of the middle to make it more enjoyable.

Go see it. I think the time is worth it.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

We (my fiancée and I) saw Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest on Monday (his birthday). It was such a fun movie! No wonder that it’s making so much money. The action is great. The sword fight was fabulous. The dialogue was witty and hilarious. Everyone should see this movie… by the looks of things, everyone is.

My only… well, I don’t know if I would call it a complaint… My only negative comment would be that it took a little long for the meat of the plot to get started. There were a lot of things happening, starting out with a tense, exciting beginning. The characters keep moving, but the plot almost transforms into something else. There are definitely a few unexpected surprises. Feelings for certain characters developed during the previous movie change with this one. But only in a way that better serves the story.

So it was great. Really great. On par with the first Pirates movie. I can’t wait for the DVD.

By the way, did you hear a Transformers movie is coming out? That’s fabulous! I love Transformers!

(Wow, I just made myself into a huge dork!)