2013 is almost over, and fans are anxiously anticipating “The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug,” the second of the three-part Hobbit prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The film, which premieres today in the United States (excluding the Dec. 2 Los Angeles premiere), will continue the storyline that started in “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” The full ensemble cast, including Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins), Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), will return for more action.

“Action” is the keyword here, because “The Desolation of Smaug” will certainly serve as the delicious and spicy main course of the three-part feast that is “The Hobbit.” Because if there’s one thing viewers can speculate  on the new Hobbit movie, it’s that this movie will be more fluid, faster-moving and more interesting (giant spiders) for everyone.

It’s a change that viewers will surely appreciate. When the first Hobbit movie hit theaters in late 2012, many critics expressed their displeasure with the film with two prominent complaints: one, the nearly three-hour movie felt too stretched out for its slow pace and two, did director Peter Jackson really need to make a full-blown trilogy out of this 310-page children’s book? There was way too much walking and meandering, according to critics. People wanted the Lord of the Rings-esque fast-paced, sword-fighting action, not 13 dwarves crowded in a room Gregorian chanting.

The extent of our speculation is limited to the three-minute sneak peeks and the original Hobbit story. The trailers so far show the usual “here-comes-a-blockbuster” teaser, with shots of majestic scenery and landscape of New Zealand (er, I mean Middle-Earth) synchronized with an epic choral soundtrack. From what I can tell, it looks like Jackson is focusing the movie more on the group’s interaction with the elves, (insert random storyline with excuse to involve Legolas here) and the build-up of Bilbo’s importance in the journey as the movie presumably climaxes with either the encounter or the defeat of Smaug the dragon (Benedict Cumberbatch). Either way, “Desolation of Smaug” is sure to follow suit in what Jackson’s film adaptations do best—provide the perfect medium that pleases both the die-hard fans as well as average moviegoers who just want an ultra-high-definition, three-hour movie to watch for the holiday season.