THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG REVIEW (GRADE: A-) 

An altogether more engrossing affair than the charming, but plodding, first film, this second of director Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy feels shorter than its 2 hour and 40 minute running time, due largely to more assured storytelling and better pacing. There's still narrative padding that could be trimmed if not for artistic overindulgence, but as a whole the film doesn't outstay its welcome, with some truly nail-biting action sequences and a host of interesting characters, both old and new. 
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