Haven’t seen it yet, but in response to sohvan’s spoiler: OMG, he put in MORE battles???
In response to C K Dexter Haven –
But of course 
I often feel like PJ got the ‘A Clockwork Orange’ treatment and was forced to watch “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” over and over and over and over again.
This would explain the slapstick elements, as well as the fascination with underground mine cars, levers, etc.
With enough reviews in, it has settled at 74% positive, which is 9% better than the first one.
Though RT Top Critics (a number I trust more) have settled at high 60’s, which is still pretty close to your number. Top Critics for part one settled at high 40’s, so 60’s is much better response.
Jesus, those special effects were intrusive. Nearly King Kong dinosaur stampede bad.
And that dragons scene went on for waaaaaaaaaaaaay too long
Saw it last night with husband and friends. I’ll try to be spoiler-friendly here.
I think I like it. I’m not sure yet. Sadly, it’s going to be hard to watch it over again to find out, because I’m arachnophobic (yes it was unpleasant, no I didn’t actually SEE but one spider (god damn “oh it’s over NOPE SYKE!” jump scenes) thanks for asking)
It’s VERY different. My husband has faint memories of Hobbit circa seventh grade, and he thought it was fine, but I’ve read it every year since childhood, and it was hard to watch how far the plotting has diverged. It truly felt like a giant D&D mockup of someone who was really really inspired by the Hobbit, didn’t feel quite able to make up their own plotline, but didn’t want to crib DIRECTLY from the source material. But I wanted to watch The Hobbit - not “vaguely inspired by the actions and characters of the Hobbit and the Appendices” - so I don’t know.
That said - I still liked it. Divorced from the book, the characters make sense of themselves and the pacing is MUCH better than the first one (the plotline splitting is a great help). I didn’t hate Tauriel, Legolas and Kili were pretty, Thorin was kingly and pompous, and nothing as egregious as the giant Troll king was in evidence.
I just don’t know if I can think of it as the Hobbit.
Smaug was fricking fantastic tho. Oh my lord. Beautifully done.
My son’s report is that he doesn’t think it was a good movie, but it was engaging and enjoyable to watch.
Shouldn’t the last few posts be split off into their own thread? Now that it’s out it no longer an anticipation thread, and 14 pages is pretty long.
Agreed. Here you go: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Seen it; open spoilers - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board
It is still the anticipation thread(why wouldn’t it be?), though I agree that reviews for each movie deserve their own thread, which is what Elendil’s Heir has done. 
After all, there’s still a third movie to anticipate.
This is what happens when someone comes up with a New and Better Standard.
Betamax and VHS. Serial com ports and USB. USB 1, USB 2, USB 3.
And stuff doesn’t always work.
Why didn’t Gandalf just summon the Eagles to carry them everywhere?: Ornithology (sfw).
Sounds like the final movie has had a title change.
ugh… while I understand his reasoning - it now sounds like part v of x instead of the final part of the trilogy… surely could have ben a better title.
IMHO, should have just shortened it to “…and back again”
Here is PJs post (also mentions DoS Extended)
Brian
Yep, and I hope that those extra 25 minutes help improve the movie as much as the first one’s did.
Tell me about it. Well, the new title for the third installment isn’t too bad.
The teaser for the teaser is up -