The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug - 5 Elements It Nailed (And 1 That Failed)

5. The Improved-Upon 48FPS And Outstanding Use Of 3D

Peter Jackson's decision to apply new filming techniques for An Unexpected Journey was not a bad one when it was first announced - innovation, after all, is to be encouraged. Looking into this "High Frame Rate" technique, which marked the first time of its use in a widescreen format, I was intrigued at how its use would effect the film, especially in a 3D format. Although the final result was worth the price of admission, it left a lot to be desired thanks to the quick edits and the smoke and mirrors effect, where it was so painfully obvious that certain elements were CG and not practical. The Desolation of Smaug plays the same card with smoke and mirrors, but makes up for it with better edits and a tighter pace. And after seeing An Unexpected Journey again in 3D and watching it at 48FPS, it's almost a melding effect where you become used to the fast pace and crystal clear visual quality of both films. It's a truly remarkable effect on the eyes where we see the film played in a fast motion (almost like it's running at 60FPS in a video game), but in actuality it's not affecting the running time nor is it hurting the pace. But it's the 3D effects that deserve the most focus, somewhat inevitably, and it's hard to be disappointed by the end result: filmed in 3D with Red Epic cameras, both films thus far have shown off their excellence in using 3D. This time out, the film does far more with 3D, providing more close up, in-your-face moments that will undoubtedly make some people jump. Nearly every scene utilizes the 3D in an intelligent way, and the later segments of the Dwarves traversing Erebor and Bilbo interacting with Smaug absolutely floors, and are worth the increased ticket price alone.