This is the second movie in “The Hobbit” trilogy and contains a lot of action-packed scenes and the return of Legolas (Orlando Bloom) to the movie screen. It also features a lot of sword fights and, unfortunately, decapitations (more than in the first film). As I will get to, the violence is the one thing that is the factor in the film not getting our Dove Seal. The movie feels a bit padded in the middle but it does clock in at 161 minutes; but for those that love these books and films, the movie features some awesome cinematography and action sequences, including a battle against not just one, but several giant spiders. The scene of the dwarves going over some falls in barrels is also quite a scene to watch.

The plot thickens as the Dwarf heir to the throne, Thorin (Richard Armitage), and the other dwarves and the hobbit Bilbo continue their journey to Erebor where they intend to defeat the dragon Smaug right in his own lair in the Lonely Mountain. The fire-breathing dragon is a pretty menacing villain and he talks to boot. Gandalf goes off on his own journey for a time and is confronted with a powerful evil. The movie ends in a cliff hanger and those who want to see the conclusion will have to wait another year for the final film of the trilogy. Unfortunately, due to the heavy violence which includes the previously mentioned decapitations, and sword fights and stabbings, we are unable to award this movie our Dove Seal.