Watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

As the second installment in the Hobbit film trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug takes viewers on an epic journey through Middle-earth. Directed by Peter Jackson and starring Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, the film follows the brave band of dwarves and their hobbit companion as they continue their quest to reclaim their homeland from the wicked dragon Smaug.

Picking up where the first film left off, The Desolation of Smaug begins with a flashback to the wizard Gandalf's encounter with the great enemy, Sauron. After escaping with his life, Gandalf meets back up with the company of dwarves and convinces them to take a dangerous route through the dark and foreboding Mirkwood forest on their way to the Lonely Mountain.

The journey through Mirkwood is fraught with danger, from giant spiders to treacherous elves, and it is here that Bilbo's courage and quick thinking are put to the test. Along the way, they encounter Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), a skilled warrior-elf who proves to be a valuable ally.

As they approach the Lonely Mountain, the dwarves come face to face with the mighty dragon, Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). The confrontation is both thrilling and terrifying, and Bilbo's cunning proves to be the key to their survival.

But Smaug is not their only enemy. The corrupt Master of Lake-town (Stephen Fry) and his slimy sidekick Alfrid (Ryan Gage) are conspiring against the company of dwarves and will stop at nothing to get their hands on the riches of the Lonely Mountain.

Amidst all this chaos, Thorin Oakenshield becomes increasingly obsessed with reclaiming his homeland, and his selfish ambitions threaten to tear the group apart. Gandalf, meanwhile, uncovers a dark power at work in Middle-earth, and sets out on a mission to stop it before it's too late.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a visually stunning and action-packed adventure that will thrill fans of Tolkien's work and newcomers alike. The cast, led by the incomparable Ian McKellen, delivers standout performances that bring the beloved characters to life on the big screen.

While some viewers may find the film's pacing to be slow at times, the richly detailed world-building and epic scale make it a worthy addition to the Middle-earth saga. And with the stage set for an epic showdown in the final installment of the trilogy, fans will be left eagerly anticipating the conclusion of Bilbo's journey.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a 2013 fantasy movie. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 66.