Our New Years Eve Revisiting The Hobbit -The Desolation of Smaug

(Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013)

 

Sue, Cheryl and I thought it would be fun to see the latest Hobbit movie - The Desolation of Smaug. We convinced Papa Mel that he might enjoy it, the pop corn and a snickers candy bar. Love to have him with us to share the fun, sword fights, torture, and whatever the Irish dwarves, dragon Smaug, and other what-nots had in store.

At the Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree, Gandalf persuades Thorin Oakenshield to obtain the Arkenstone to unite the Dwarves, and suggests that a stealthy burglar would be needed to steal the jewel back from Smaug.

Thorin and his company are being pursued by Azog (left) and his Orc party down the Carrock following the events of the previous film. After Bilbo informs the group that a massive black bear is also tracking them, Gandalf ushers them along to the nearby home of Beorn to seek his aid; Beorn is a skin-changer who sometimes takes the form of the bear in the flick below. They enjoy relative peace during the night, but then trouble catches up.

That night, Azog is summoned to Dol Guldur and instructs his son Bolg to take over the hunt for Thorin. The following day, the company reaches Mirkwood.

Here Gandalf discovers Black Speech graffiti imprinted on an old ruin, and abruptly leaves without explanation after warning them to remain on the path and wait for him before entering the Lonely Mountain. However, they lose their way and are caught by giant spiders.

Bilbo, with the help of the One Ring, sets about freeing the dwarves, which results in him dropping the ring; Bilbo begins to learn of the corrupting influence the ring has on him after brutally killing a spider to retrieve it. This scene is crawling with ugly spiders who catch and wrap their victims in webs like mummies. Thanks to Bilbo they are rescued and removed from captivity.

After the battle Bilbo climbs to the top of the trees to see the way. It's light bright and he's surrounded by blue butterflies. He's able to see the way they must go.



After successfully crossing over (and under) the Misty Mountains, Thorin and Company must seek aid from a powerful stranger before taking on the dangers of Mirkwood Forest--without their Wizard. If they reach the human settlement of Lake-town it will be time for the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to fulfill his contract with the dwarves. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and burglar Baggins must seek out the Secret Door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug. And, where has Gandalf got off to? And what is his secret business to the south?

At the same time the Wood Elves arrive, led by Legolas and Tauriel, who imprison the Dwarves following an altercation with the Elvenking Thranduil (above). Bilbo manages to arrange an escape using empty wine barrels that are sent downstream. While being pursued by the Elves, they are ambushed by Bolg and his Orc party and Kili is wounded.

Taureil and Legolas

 Thranduil seals off his kingdom when he learns that an evil entity has returned and is amassing great power in the south, but Tauriel disobeys him and leaves to assist the dwarves, followed by Legolas. Meanwhile, Gandalf meets Radagast to investigate the tombs of the Nazgūl, which are found empty. Gandalf reveals that they answer to only one master. The company then meets a man named Bard, who uses the barrels to smuggle them into Esgaroth, the Lake-town where the descendants of Dale now reside. Thorin promises the Master of Lake-town and its people a share of the mountain's treasure for their assistance, and receives a grand farewell.

Kili is forced to stay behind, tended by Fili, Oin and Bofur. It is also revealed that Bard is a descendant of the last ruler of Dale, Girion, and possesses the last black arrow (below) capable of defeating Smaug. Bard attempts to bring the black arrow to the town's launcher, but is arrested in the process, leaving his son to hide the arrow. Kili, Fili, Oin, Bofur and Bard's daughters are then attacked by Bolg and his Orc party, who have infiltrated the town in search of Thorin. Legolas and Tauriel arrive soon after and fend off the Orcs. Legolas leaves in pursuit of Bolg, while Tauriel stays to tend to Kili; the two then acknowledge the bond that has developed between one another.

 Meanwhile, Gandalf returns to Dol Guldur in the south, while Radagast is sent to warn Galadriel of their discovery at the tombs. Gandalf finds the ruins infested with orcs and is subsequently attacked by Azog. While he attempts to escape, the Necromancer reveals itself, and a duel erupts between the two. The Necromancer overpowers Gandalf and reveals its true identity as the Dark Lord Sauron.

Thorin and his remaining company reach the Lonely Mountain, where Bilbo discovers the hidden entrance and is sent to retrieve the Arkenstone, only to awaken Smaug.

Smaug confronts Bilbo, whom the dragon considers a thief....Then the battle begins with lots of fire and brimstone. Bilbo and the Dwarves, now being hunted by Smaug, trick the dragon into rekindling the forges, and attempt to kill him by drowning him in molten gold. However, Smaug emerges and stumbles out of the mountain, determined to destroy Lake-town and its people for aiding the Dwarves. He then takes to the air as Bilbo watches in horror at what they have unleashed.

Watch the video. It's so entertaining that I'm looking forward to the next episode.....

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