It’s here. It’s what all you Tolkien nerds have been waiting for, and don’t worry, it doesn’t disappoint.

The Desolation of Smaug follows on from The Unexpected Journey and follows the dwarves on their journey to obtain the Arkenstone again.

Even though the film is incredibly long (2 hours and 41 minutes to be exact), it’ll keep you entertained all the way through. Expect plenty of battle scenes, and a pop up from Legolas (yes, that beauty), along with a few other characters who were never in the actual book. However, unless you are a Tolkien geek you won’t really notice. The added characters don’t distract from the main story line though, and aside from a short mushy love scene, they’re a pretty good add from Jackson.

We recommend you see the film in IMAX for full effect, both for the background and for the characters themselves. Yeah yeah, the glasses will make your ears kill and the price is quite high but it’s worth it. The orcs are absolutely terrifying as usual (when are they ever not?) and Smaug (who you never actually realise is voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) intimidates you a lot more than you expect (I mean come on he’s just a dragon…And the necromancer).

Compared to the last film The Desolation of Smaug seems much more action-filled. It may leave you with a numb arse but you’ll be desperate for The Hobbit: There and Back Again.