KANSAS CITY, Mo—
1) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (PG-13)
New Line Cinema (Warner Brothers)
RUSS: Sometimes more of the same isn’t such a bad thing. Such is the case with Peter Jackson’s second installment in his prolonged expansion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s short fantasy adventure, “The Hobbit.” In “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” Martin Freeman returns as Bilbo Baggins, now facing a diabolical fire-breathing dragon, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Evangeline Lily from TV’s “Lost” joins the cast as a backside-kicking elf who takes a shine to one of the wandering dwarfs.
To call the story ‘padded’ would be an understatement, but Jackson pads the story with plenty of action, mayhem and top-drawer eye candy. It’s hard to tell the players without a program, but if you can’t keep track of the parade of characters you can still sit back and enjoy the visual razzle-dazzle. While “The Hobbit” franchise may lack the gravitas of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, it shares its cinematic flair. Bottom line? If you liked the first installment, then “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is the adventure for you. It’s a lively follow-up that desolated the box office and should do the same with home entertainment sales.
Shawn says, ” More of the same. Quality filmmaking. Classic story. All of it is well executed and extremely watchable. The first was a visually stunning masterpiece and this installment is no less impressive. Yes, it’s padded. But it’s loaded with so much you never feel cheated as the filmmakers take you on one heck of a cinematic journey.”
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
2) GRUDGE MATCH (PG-13)
Warner Brothers
RUSS:
Rocky meets the Raging Bull in the Geritol division in “Grudge Match,” an absurd comedy about two former boxers who set up a bout to settle an old score. It’s all very silly, but the star power of Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro provides a jolt of energy to this predictable enterprise. Stay tuned until the end for the film’s funniest scene that involves two other aging boxers.
Shawn says, “I like the premise. Although the movie is too lazy for its own good at times. It’s really not Rocky meets Raging Bull although it seems like it on the surface. But a comedy about second chances and fulfilling unfulfilled dreams. Kevin Hart and Alan Arkin steal every scene in this surprisingly hilarious and heartwarming story.”
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
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