At last we get to see a few moments of Martin Freeman’s Bilbo Baggins facing off against the dragon named Smaug (that’s pronounced “smOWg” not “smog,” per Bilbo) in the full-length trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, part two of the three-part epic movies series that began last winter with the brilliant The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  Even better, we get to hear Benedict Cumberbatch’s chilling, dragon-toothed lines as he seeks out Bilbo in his lair.

Surprisingly, we see a lot of Orlando Bloom’s Legolas opposite newcomer Lost’s Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel in this trailer–likely indicating the elves will play a large role in Peter Jackson’s expanded vision of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel.  Another newcomer, Luke Evans, who plays Laketown human Bard the Bowman, also looks to be a key character.

Richard Armitage is back as dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield, along with Ian McKellen as Gandalf.  Wonderfalls’ Lee Pace returns as Elvenking Thranduil and Ken Stott as elder dwarf Balin.  The nasty Orc Azog is back, too, played again by Manu Bennett, who we met as Slade Wilson in CW’s Arrow TV series this year.

Check out this great trailer for The Hobbit:  The Desolation of Smaug:

If this trailer is any indication, Jackson has rivaled his past work with grandiose scenery, incredible costumes, and an epic score.  This is all the more eye-popping considering his cutting-edge film technology employed in the series.  Like the first entry in The Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug was shot in 3-D at 48 frames per second and it will be released in 2-D, High Frame Rate 3-D, other 3-D formats and IMAX.  Definitely some stunning cinema awaits us at year end.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theaters December 13, 2013.

C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com