2. Were Not Going To See The Dragon Properly Before Release...
After teasing us throughout An Unexpected Journey (a film about a dragon that never shows the dragon) many people thought wed get a full money shot of Smaug within a few months. The teaser gave us a shadowed look at Smaugs head that tricked us into thinking we were being rewarded for our patience, but were still really to get little more than a snippet. This trailer keeps the dragon completely removed from the action for most of its runtime, but even when he does turn up its a shadowed underbelly or fast moving action shot where hes hidden by coins. I was positive by now wed have seen Jacksons take on Middle Earths most impressive creature (whats cooler than a dragon), but now only two months from release its fair to conclude its going to be saved as a surprise for when you enter the cinema (or a toy distributor leaks it online). Smaug fills the same position as Gollum in this trilogy as far as interest goes (theyre the most interesting creatures) and its refreshing to see him get a similar treatment here (teased in the first film, a muted presence in the publicity, then finally revealed in the sequel).