: Despite narrative gripes, the visual of a gold-covered Smaug taking flight is cited as a stunning piece of animation by industry experts.
: Some critics, such as those on Reddit's Movie Discussion , felt the cut-off point was arbitrary, arguing that Smaug’s death (which occurs in the first ten minutes of the next film) would have made for a more natural and satisfying conclusion to the second chapter. the_hobbit_desolation_of_smaug_ending
: Reviewers from The One Wiki to Rule Them All and Reddit note that the ending creates an immediate, high-stakes bridge to the finale, leaving the audience needing to see the resolution. : Despite narrative gripes, the visual of a
The story continues in The Battle of the Five Armies . Bard the Bowman must face the dragon. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug The story continues in The Battle of the Five Armies