And as Smaug erupts from the mountain, wings blotting the moon, the extended edition’s final shot is not of the dragon turning toward Lake-town. It is a slow pan down the mountain’s flank to a hidden postern gate. There, in the darkness, a pale orc hand reaches out of a tunnel. Bolg smiles. “The mountain is empty,” he hisses. “Take it for Azog.”
Fans of the book have long lamented the brief treatment of Beorn, the skin-changer. In the theatrical cut, Beorn is little more than a plot device to provide ponies. The Extended Edition restores a longer, tension-filled sequence at his house. The dwarves must search for him, and the fear of his bear form creates genuine suspense. This restores Beorn’s status as a dangerous, wild ally rather than just a convenient host. The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug -2013- Ext...
We are introduced to the Master’s conniving servant, Alfrid, in greater detail, highlighting the corruption and bureaucracy that plagues the town. We see the Master in his counting house, debating the logistics of helping the dwarves not out of kindness, but for profit. There is a palpable sense of decay and class struggle that mirrors our own world, providing a sharp contrast to the nobility of the dwarves and the innocence of Bard’s family. And as Smaug erupts from the mountain, wings
Additionally, the Elvenking Thranduil (Lee Pace) is given more depth. The Bolg smiles
Released on Blu-ray and digital platforms in November 2014 (approximately one year after the theatrical cut), this extended cut adds 25 minutes of crucial footage. But unlike some "extended" cuts that merely pad runtime, the extended edition of Desolation of Smaug fundamentally re-contextualizes the film’s second act.
It allows the sadness to breathe. It gives the Dwarves souls. It makes the Elf-Dwarf romance believable. It turns Beorn from a cameo into a character. And most importantly, it makes Smaug feel less like a video game boss and more like an ancient, intelligent force of nature.
Additional dialogue involving the Master of Lake-town (Stephen Fry) and his lackey Alfrid provides more background on the town's political intrigue, though some viewers found these scenes less essential to the main plot. Critical Consensus