Reviews favourable for 2nd Hobbit film

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Reviews favourable for 2nd Hobbit film

AAP
December 8, 2013, 1:31 pm

Sir Peter Jackson's second instalment of the Hobbit trilogy is winning praise from overseas critics. AP

International critics are praising Sir Peter Jackson's second instalment of the Hobbit trilogy.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug premiered in Los Angeles on Monday and will be released at Australian cinemas on Boxing Day.

The first Hobbit movie was widely criticised for its slow pace.

The Hollywood Reporter writer Todd McCarthy said nearly everything about the second movie was an improvement over the first.

"Jackson gets the drama in gear here from the outset with a sense of storytelling that possesses palpable energy and purpose."

However, he said towards the end of the 161 minute film the director's "tendency to let bloat creep in reasserts itself ... he has a hard time knowing when enough is enough even as the three-hour goalpost looms dead ahead."

Empire magazine gave the film five stars.

"A huge improvement on the previous instalment, this takes our adventurers into uncharted territory and delivers spectacle by the ton," Nick de Semlyen wrote.

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw gave the film four out of five stars describing it as a "cheerfully entertaining and exhilarating adventure tale".

Variety's Justin Chang said: "After a bumpy beginning with An Unexpected Journey, Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy finds its footing in this much more exciting and purposeful second chapter."

Time Magazine said the movie was one of the top ten films of the year describing it as a "vigorous and thrilling middle episode".

However, not all reviews were favourable.

Robbie Collins of the Telegraph gave the film two out of five stars and described it as a "weary take on J R R Tolkien's playful children's book".

Though, he said Jackson's recreation of Middle Earth was "unimpeachable".