The Hobbit The Desolation Of Smaug Extended Edition

Okay, let's talk The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition. It's long. Like, "need a second breakfast AND elevenses" long.

More Scenes, More Problems?

Everyone loves more content, right? Maybe not always. I'm going to say something potentially controversial.

I sometimes think the extended bits are...well, a bit much. Don't get me wrong, I adore Middle-earth. But more isn't always better.

Beorn's House: A Beary Long Stay

Let's be real, Beorn's house felt like it went on forever. We get it, he's a bear. And a grump. Did we really need more soup-eating scenes?

The dwarves clearly don't have any manners. I'm surprised Beorn didn't throw them out himself.

Mirkwood Madness

Ah, Mirkwood. Dark, spooky, and... padded? The spiders were cool. Creepy, but cool.

But the constant bickering? I found it a bit tedious. Even Bilbo Baggins looked like he wanted to tap out.

Laketown: A Fishy Situation

Laketown is a cool place. But the extended scenes made it even grimmer. And Bard? Even more brooding.

I'm not saying I dislike Bard. He is a hero. But I think the extended edition gives him a little too much backstory.

Let’s be honest, the special effects are amazing but it felt like everyone was shouting at each other for hours. Good grief.

Smaug: Worth the Wait?

Okay, Smaug. Benedict Cumberbatch. Amazing. No arguments there.

His scenes are fantastic. Worth the price of admission alone, extended or not. He's captivating.

But even Smaug couldn't fully save the extended edition for me. He can breath fire but he couldn't keep my attention.

The Unpopular Opinion?

Here it is. The big one. I sometimes prefer the theatrical cut.

Gasp! I know, I know. Heresy! But hear me out. It's tighter. More focused. Less... soup.

The pacing is better. I'm not reaching for my phone as much. And less screen time of dwarves arguing is a win, in my book.

Look, I get it. People love the extra details. The world-building. The lore. And I respect that.

I can also appreciate how much more detail is put into Thorin's growing madness.

But sometimes, I just want a slightly shorter, snappier adventure. A dragon-sized adventure, not a "let's walk for three days straight without any break" adventure.

Maybe I'm just impatient. Maybe I have the attention span of a goldfinch. Who knows?

So, What's the Verdict?

The Extended Edition is still a visually stunning spectacle. Peter Jackson knows how to make a movie.

But it's a commitment. A long, dragon-guarded commitment. So choose wisely, my friends.

Or just watch the theatrical cut. You won't hurt my feelings. Probably.

Besides the additional scenes gave more context to the characters that's why I think the extended edition is good.

Well, maybe it does a good job.