The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (December 2013)

Official Australian release date: 26/12/13. Viewed: 26/12/13.

Director: Peter Jackson
Actors: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Benedict Cumberbatch
Genre: Fantasy / Adventure
Rating: M

If you’ve liked the other four Lord of the Rings/Hobbit films, you’ll like this one, simple. I found it highly enjoyable and well-paced – not as meandering as ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ or ‘An Unexpected Journey’. It’s not as good as ‘The Two Towers’, but does an good job of moving the story and characters forward.

It also has a great score – every time you hear that motif, you think of Sauron and the ring’s temptation – and plenty of great visuals. It’s pretty amazing how just watching a film can make you feel comfortable, as you recognize parts of Middle Earth/New Zealand. But most of all, it’s fun – there’s a bear, plenty of ‘catch-me-if-you-can’, a waterfall/rapids chase, some spelunking, some gold mining – oh, and a dragon!

It’s good to see Legolas and some Elves, as well as men, helping out the Hobbit & the Dwarves. Gandalf has some good moments, but this is definitely Bilbo’s film – and it’s left on a nice cliff-hanger.

Overall: Moved things along with plenty of action – looking forward to the final instalment next Boxing Day!

Gav's Rating: 4 stars.

Anchorman: The Legend Continues (December 2013)

Official Australian release date: 19/12/13. Viewed: 18/12/13.

Director: Adam McKay
Actors: Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Christina Applegate
Genre: Comedy
Rating: M

First thing’s first – no, this is not as good as the original. But what sequel is? There was certainly plenty of laughs throughout the film, from the whole cinema. Sure, not all the jokes were amazing, but there was plenty of good slapstick and lots of great little quips.

The premise is simple – it’s now the 80s and Ron and the gang are in New York to start the first 24-hour-news network (CNN, or ‘GNN’ in the film – this provides some decent satire), and since it’s the 80s, they have to progress with the times, including having a female boss (who’s also black). The eight guest-star cameo’s – don’t worry, I won’t ruin the surprise – for the news team battle are pretty funny and will have you going “is that really ___?!”

That’s my one issue with the film – it’s a little long. Some scenes – such as the shark and the above-mentioned “battle” – go for longer than necessary and probably make it about 15min too long, clocking in at almost two hours. Also, was Josh Lawson the best choice as an Aussie to play a Rupert Murdoch-like character? But it’s made up for by some truly laugh-out-loud moments, from finding out what they’ve all been up to since the first film and then some great sight gags and truly absurd moments.

Overall: Enjoyable sequel with plenty of laughs. Favourite moment = Walter: “why’s it called the Big Apple?” Ron: “because it has an Apple Tree on every corner” – makes sense when you watch it!

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars.