The film shifts from the "fairytale" feel of the first installment to a darker, more urgent narrative. It bridges the gap between The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy by introducing the growing shadow of Sauron and the corrupting influence of the One Ring on Bilbo.
The film is widely regarded as the most action-packed of the trilogy. It introduced audiences to the mesmerizing motion-capture performance of Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice and physical presence of Smaug, a highlight that received critical acclaim. The movie was a massive commercial success, grossing over $950 million worldwide, and was praised for its visual effects, particularly the barrel escape sequence and the intricate design of the dragon. Hobbit 2 Tamilyogi