The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug parents guide

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Parent Guide

With enough popcorn and a visit to the "facilities" prior to watching, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" has the potential to keep both hobbitual and casual viewers engaged.

Overall B+

In part two of this trilogy, Bilbo the Hobbit (Martin Freeman) and Gandalf the wizard (Ian McKellen) continue on their quest to help the Dwarves regain the treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug.

Release date December 13, 2013

Violence C-
Sexual Content A-
Profanity A
Substance Use C+

Why is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug rated PG-13? The MPAA rated The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images.

Run Time: 161 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Ahh… the middle movie. The second installment of a trio offers both benefits and unavoidable problems. The plus is we have been introduced to the characters (okay, I admittedly haven’t read the book) so more time can be spent on developing the personalities of our legions of dwarves and elves… and a very important hobbit. But the downside is the conclusion, mainly because there isn’t one! Instead, think of this film as a big promotional piece leaving you wanting to see what happens next. And, indeed, creator Peter Jackson cuts to black at the very moment you are yearning for more.

In this film we pick up on the trail right where the first outing abandoned us. Our little burglar Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is still trekking toward the Lonely Mountain with a band of dwarves, led by the once-and-future King Thorin (Richard Armitage). On their rear is an ugly Orc (perhaps he has a face his mother could love) named Azog (Manu Bennett) who wants to kill the would-be monarch.

Hoping to lose their enemy, the little band looks for a “safe” shortcut that will provide seclusion. Thus they enter Mirkwood forest, and that’s where they encounter something that may make the audience a little squeamish—giant spiders. Thankfully Mr. Baggins is beginning to come into his own and saves the day with a sharp blade. However, their victory is soon squelched after they are found by the elves Legolas and Tauriel (Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly), who capture them and take them back to the elf kingdom.

It’s during their incarceration that this story starts to offer a little more meat than the first movie’s monotonous “battle, trek, battle, trek” pattern. Tauriel (a lone female character created by Jackson, due to Tolkien’s neglect of including anyone of the fairer sex) discovers dwarves are people too as she enjoys conversations through the prison bars with Kili (Aidan Turner). Yet there’s little time in this over two-and-a-half-hour flick for niceties. With the help of a golden souvenir from the previous movie, Bilbo manages to stage a jailbreak that leaves the elves, shall we say, over a barrel.

Now the dwarves can continue to their ultimate destination with the goal of reclaiming the kingdom of Erebor and putting King Thorin back on his throne. But first they must take a little detour to deal with a huge talking dragon named Smaug. This beast has stolen all of the dwarves’ treasures and also has possession of the Arkenstone—a special heirloom from Thorin’s family that the group is anxious to reclaim.

Parents wondering if Hobbit 2 is suitable for their family’s viewing need only take a look at the proceeding The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, because both contain the same style of violence and mayhem. That’s not to say either of these films are really children’s movies. Orcs, the ultimate bad guys, are prime targets for the most gruesome disposals. These include decapitations, impalements and arrows extending through both sides of their skulls. The giant spiders don’t fare much better and have the added possibility of inciting nightmares in young audiences. And booze appears to be a main food group of Middle Earth.

Still, for ‘tweens and teens looking for adventure in cinema-land, it’s hard to argue against this well executed film. Aside from the violence there are no profanities and only one instance of mild sexual innuendo (which I doubt was in the novel). There are the usual positive messages about working together, as well as a subtle nod toward seeing past ethnic differences. It felt more engaging due to a greater focus on a few key characters, like the aforementioned Tauriel, the dwarves Thorin and Kili, and our key protagonist Bilbo Baggins. In this outing the once timid shire-dweller shows a natural change of attitude towards the adventure, and demonstrates patience and the ability to use his intelligence to solve problems.

With enough popcorn and a visit to the “facilities” prior to sitting down for this epic, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has the potential to keep both hobbitual and casual viewers engaged.

Directed by Peter Jackson. Starring Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood. Running time: 161 minutes. Theatrical release December 13, 2013. Updated

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug rated PG-13? The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images.

Violence: Explicit and non-explicit violence is portrayed, especially in scenes involving Orcs. Fighting, stabbing, shooting, decapitation, impalement and burnings are frequently depicted. Decaying bodies are shown. Other moments portray frightening monsters, supernatural beings, transformations, and nightmarish imagery.

Sexual Content: A female character makes a reference to what may or not may be in a male character’s pants.

Language: No profanities noted, although characters make derogatory references about other Middle Earth ethnicities.

Alcohol/Drug Use: A couple of scenes show characters drinking alcohol. Background tobacco use is seen.

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Parents' Guide

This movie is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit.

What is Bilbo Baggins learning about himself? Would he have made these discoveries had he stayed at home? Do we avoid “adventures” that could allow us to grow? Has the Internet and video games altered our perceived need to “experience life”?

What do the various “ethnic” groups in this movie discover about each other? Do you think they will ever be able to completely ignore their differences? What do they learn about working together?

 

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug movie is November 4, 2014. Here are some details…

October 11, 2016
Warner Brothers studios has announced the combined release of all six of Peter Jackson’s films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. This compilation is available in two packages: The Middle Earth Theatrical Collection (A 6-disc set (Blu-ray or DVD) featuring the theatrical versions of each movie) and The Middle Earth Limited Collector’s Edition (a box set of 30 discs featuring the extended editions of each movie plus extras).

Releasing November 17, 2015: The Hobbit Trilogy Extended Edition
This box set includes extended editions of all three movies:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Home Video Notes: The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug - Extended Edition
Release Date: 4 November 2014

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug releases to home video (Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) in an Extended Edition. (The movie has gone from 161 minutes to 186.) Supplements include:
-  Audio Commentary with Director/writer/producer Peter Jackson and writer/co-producer Philippa Boyens
- New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 2
- The Appendices Part 9 & 10
- And more!

Home Video Notes: The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Release Date: 8 April 2014
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug releases to home video in 3D (Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) and Blu-ray (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy). Both of theses packages include the following extras:
- Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set – Experience the film’s challenges and demands, and journey alongside the director into Mirkwood, Lake-town and Dale as the movie’s most intense, pivotal scenes are created.
- Production Videos
- New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 2 – Travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-earth
- Music Video
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug also releases in a 3D Limited Edition (Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy). This package features all of the above, plus:
- Limited Edition Gates of Erebor Guards Bookends

Home Video Notes: The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy
Release Date: 24 March 2015
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Related home video titles:

J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit has been turned into a three-part saga.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

He followed up this novel with a trilogy of his own (The Lord of the Rings) that has also been adapted for the big screen:

Lord of The Rings: Fellowship of The Ring

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

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