SPLICED Magazine Issue 02 Dec/Jan 2014 | Page 144

SPLICED MOVIES / REVIEW / THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG The characters also felt weak and vapid, with Bilbo being the only one that really showed any kind of growth and strength. In fact, there is an inexplicable and completely crow-barred romance that is so forced and unrealistic that I honestly rolled my eyes when it happened, hoping it was just a case of badly-written flirting. Alas, this then becomes a driving plot narrative that has nothing to do with the original story and once again puts the one female protagonist of the film into the position of 'awesome action warrior until man needs saving and thus I must renege everything that was great about myself to become a doting, simpering healer.' This made me sigh. A lot. ISSUE 02 " Without giving too much away, Gandalf makes a terrible discovery after having to abandon the group to confirm his fears." On the positive side are the main narrative points following Gandalf and Bilbo. Without giving too much away, Gandalf makes a terrible discovery after having to abandon the group to confirm his fears. The dialogue and menace of the scene is incredible and for once, watching the film in 3D actually made it that much better, because you could truly experience the weight and consequence of this sequence. Above: There were 170, 000 punchedaluminium, gold-plated coins scattered throughout the set of Smaug's lair. 144