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

3. Putting Thorin In The Limelight

If there's anything An Unexpected Journey did excellently, it was introducing Richard Armitage's Thorin: in the book he played the part as both forceful leader and spirited member of the Dwarves, with the same happy attitude as the rest but still applying his leadership skills whenever possible. For his film adaptation, Thorin is much more serious and dedicated to his task, forsaking any comedic portrayals and leaning more towards a brooding personality that fits the film's themes perfectly. The Hobbit's sequel puts Thorin and his goals in a higher position on the totem pole. His primary objective (along with the rest of his company) is still to retake Erebor from Smaug while avoiding Azog's hunting parties at the same time, but now he's branching off to other matters that are more economical and political this time around. When his company reach Lake-town, Thorin feels obligated to lend assistance, in the hope of reciprocation. As descendants of Dale (the former town desolated by Smaug), he promises to share Erebor's treasures, helping them get back to the lives they desire and deserve. For a dwarf who seeks to reclaim what was once lost years ago, Thorin throws his greed aside, and shows the first signs of being a true king. However, he still burns for the Arkenstone, Erebor's most important treasure. Near the end, when the Dwarves have reached Erebor, Thorin reveals his desperation of recovering the Arkenstone in the name of his homeland, and after sending Bilbo to recover the magnificent gem and having him retrieve it from Smaug, Thorin shows a flash of anger when asking Bilbo if he has the stone, without concern for the hobbit's well-being. In some senses Thorin's relationship with the Arkenstone is almost identical to Bilbo's relationship with the One Ring, with Bilbo's first signs of his obsession occurring in Mirkwood during his encounter with the spiders. It makes for an interesting additional element to Thorin, and it will be exciting to see how There And Back Again further evolves his character.