Martin Freeman
Ian McKellen
Richard Armitage
Evangeline Lilly
Lee Pace
Luke Evans
Benedict Cumberbatch
Ken Stott
James Nesbitt
Cate Blanchett
Ian Holm
Christopher Lee
Hugo Weaving
Orlando Bloom

Fran Walsh
Philippa Boyens
Peter Jackson
Guillermo del Toro

144 mins.
Adventure, Fantasy
December 17, 2014

Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images. (MPAA)

Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is a fitting end to “The Hobbit” film trilogy. (The armies include Dwarves, Elves, Men, the Orcs and Wargs, and the great Eagles.) Its success lies in its ability to echo the power and themes of “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy. Many have been disappointed by “The Hobbit” films. This is because of timing. “The Hobbit” tells a smaller story that takes place BEFORE the events of “The Lord of the Rings.” Since Peter Jackson was unable to film “The Hobbit” before “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Hobbit” film series has suffered by comparison. This makes sense because of how the source material was written. I’m interested in how people who see “The Hobbit” films BEFORE “The Lord of the Rings” films will react. I think that their estimation of “The Hobbit” film series will be a bit higher than that of people who watched the films in the order of their release.

Back to the third film of “The Hobbit” trilogy: The biggest flaw is the beginning. The decision to end the previous film just before Smaug lays waste to Lake-town (Esgaroth) helped that film and harmed this one. Since this film begins with Smaug’s destruction of the town, that destruction and Smaug’s demise come across anticlimactically. It isn’t bad; actually, it’s good. But it’s been relegated to a prologue of sorts or a delayed ending of the previous film, instead of a main event. If this series had been split-up differently, maybe into two parts instead of three, they could have avoided that. There are many moments in the series that could have been excised to make that work. The writers (Jackson, Boyens, Walsh, and del Toro) may have pulled too much from the appendices of Tolkien’s “The Return of the King” to add more substance to this series. However, this film is the shortest of both trilogies. It could have been even shorter.

Once the Smaug section is over, though, this film takes off. You can feel the pulse of “The Lord of the Rings” throughout. The scene featuring Galadriel, Gandalf, Saruman, Elrond, the Ringwraiths, and the Dark Lord Sauron is breathtaking. The parallels between Alfrid, who provides comic relief that isn’t unwelcome, and Grima Wormtongue of “The Lord of the Rings” and between Thorin and Theoden of “The Lord of the Rings” are effective. The battle itself is another confirmation of Jackson’s mastery of pacing, camerawork, and effects. At about 45-minutes long, I wanted even more of that battle. It’s easy to take that battle, along with the rest of this film’s visuals, for granted because of “The Lord of the Rings.” However, that’s unfair. I was bowled over by the images. It was like watching a moving painting. The sweeping cameras were used to great effect. Plus, the use of 3D further enhanced Jackson’s techniques. You don’t have to see this in 3D, but it does add even more depth to the events on display. Also, the sound was expertly designed and executed. You could feel the weight of each movement, the intensity of every emotion.

I liked this film a lot, and I suspect that people’s estimation of this film series will grow with time. I look forward to watching “The Hobbit” series before “The Lord of the Rings” series in the years to come. This film effectively bridges the gap between the two.

Verdict: Very, Very Good

About: (Source: thehobbit)

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves. The Dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed the vast wealth of their homeland, but now must face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying Dragon, Smaug, upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town.

As he succumbs to dragon-sickness, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the legendary Arkenstone. Unable to help Thorin see reason, Bilbo is driven to make a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead. An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain.

As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide—unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies go to war.