“The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug” released on Friday, Dec. 13 with a first weekend box office topping $73.7 million. However, the second installment of The Hobbit series fell short of its predecessor, which opened with $86.4 million in the country. Starting shortly after The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey left off, the group continued on their way, fighting through dangerous forests and giant spiders, trekking twisting rivers, facing an army of orcs, and sneaking through cities fallen from glory by the corruption of their leaders. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug will keep you engrossed and waiting for more. With an expert cliffhanger, it leaves you with a burning need for the next and final installment of The Hobbit series.

Bilbo Baggins, played by Martin Freeman, faces up against an immense dragon as he tries to grab the Arkenstone, which would give Thorin Oakenshield, played by Richard Armitage, the true right to be King Under the Mountain. Upon leaving the theatre you may find yourself saying “man, I really need to watch the trilogy again.” I know I did.

Director Peter Jackson has done and continues to do an excellent job at making the book come to life. Even if you haven’t read The Hobbit, you still get the full story, with some characters you come to love, and others you love to hate. For a 2 1/2 hour movie, it keeps you continuously interested and enthralled. You will keep trying to guess what will happen next.