THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (2013) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Martin Freeman

The hosts unanimously declared the barrel escape sequence as the pinnacle of fight choreography in all of Peter Jackson's Middle-earth films. They lauded its clever design, continuous movement despite the river current, and the seamless transitions between characters and action, noting the brutal yet believable combat.

The hosts stated, 'The specific section where they were in the barrels going down the lake. That was my favorite choreography from the whole everything.' They highlighted the 'really clever' way the fight stayed on the move and the 'amazing work' in transitions and long shots, making it 'brutal enough to be believable.'

Martin Freeman's performance as Bilbo Baggins was highly commended for subtly conveying the character's growth. Bilbo transitions from a hesitant hobbit to a more seasoned adventurer, demonstrating newfound courage, though also showing the early influence of the One Ring, particularly in moments of aggression.

The hosts noted, 'Martin Freeman's performance of him read so much and brought so much depth to that character just based on his reactions to everything that was going on around him.' They observed Bilbo's 'little more seasoned' demeanor and his 'fully raising his hand to vouch for Thoren in Lake Town' and confronting Smaug directly.

The film's ending, with Smaug flying towards Lake-town and the dwarves still within the mountain, was perceived as an unsatisfying cliffhanger. The hosts felt it lacked the sense of resolution present in the first film and served primarily as a setup for the next installment, leaving them with a feeling of incompleteness.

One host remarked, 'This one is like a more harrowing cliffhanger... thousands of people who are about to be decimated by Smaug.' They contrasted it with the first film's 'hope on the horizon' and concluded, 'this one felt like a lot of setup to whatever the third movie is going to be.'

Thorin Oakenshield's character arc in this film heavily features his growing obsession with the Arkenstone, a trait the hosts refer to as 'dragon sickness.' This greed blinds him to the immediate dangers and even to the welfare of his companions, mirroring the madness that consumed his grandfather.

The hosts discussed Thorin's 'sickness in him' and how 'he's too blinded by the idea of what the stone is going to give him rather than understanding like what he's doing for his people.' They noted his 'drive was such a big part of his character' but also his increasing ruthlessness.