Dwarfs reunited (L-R) Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy and William Kircher. Photo: Diego Opatowski/ RNZ
The second Hobbit film – The Desolation of Smaug – has had its New Zealand premiere in Wellington, receiving glowing reviews from the audience and a critic.
Sir Peter Jackson and international members of the cast were not there, but the New Zealand ones were, including Mark Hadlow, John Callen and Jed Brophy.
The screening at the Embassy Theatre on Monday night was also a fundraiser, with proceeds from the $100 tickets going to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre.
Film reviewer Graeme Tuckett said the film was better than the first and he gave it four stars. He said it's a lot faster, has more story to tell and looks better than last time.
Overseas reviews for the latest Hobbit instalment have been largely positive although one reviewer suggested it was a gap filler in the trilogy.