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Date: December 12th 2014
Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the terrifying Smaug from acquiring a kingdom of treasure and obliterating all of Middle-Earth.
Director: Peter Jackson (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug)
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, James Nesbitt, Lee Pace, Billy Connolly
CONTAINS SPOILERS
Peter Jackson's last hurrah will admittedly ruffle a few feathers. Those familiar with the book will always stand bewildered at how he's managed to spread a 368 page book into almost 9 hours of film. Those who haven't read it may see The Battle of the Five Armies as a fitting conclusion to the Middle-Earth saga.
First and foremost calling it The Battle of the Five Armies over There and Back Again gives the third film basis and quality. It takes the best parts of The Two Towers and The Return of the King and supplies us with a grand showdown. As you may have already noticed, naming it as such means there's no room for Smaug the Magnificent. The Desolation of Smaug sees him at his best, but now he's at his worst, as he doesn't last longer than the opening credit.
It all happens a bit too quick for anyone's liking, seeing as though TDOS builds his character/monster up, creating a foreboding, terrifying menace, only for him to come crashing down. It's grand, but it should have lasted longer given the time the dragon has previously spent on screen.
Focus has now shifted towards an upcoming battle between Men, Elves, Dwarves and Orcs, orchestrated by the Orc Captain Azog and Thorin's greed. Armitage is the man with the magic. Today, is his day. Just like his father before him, Thorin is suffering with the dragon sickness. He trusts no one, believes that everyone is deceiving him and will not give up one drop of gold to those who think they have the right. Armitage wants the Arkenstone more than anything. He won't stop until this relic has been found.
Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the terrifying Smaug from acquiring a kingdom of treasure and obliterating all of Middle-Earth.
Director: Peter Jackson (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug)
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, James Nesbitt, Lee Pace, Billy Connolly
CONTAINS SPOILERS
Peter Jackson's last hurrah will admittedly ruffle a few feathers. Those familiar with the book will always stand bewildered at how he's managed to spread a 368 page book into almost 9 hours of film. Those who haven't read it may see The Battle of the Five Armies as a fitting conclusion to the Middle-Earth saga.
First and foremost calling it The Battle of the Five Armies over There and Back Again gives the third film basis and quality. It takes the best parts of The Two Towers and The Return of the King and supplies us with a grand showdown. As you may have already noticed, naming it as such means there's no room for Smaug the Magnificent. The Desolation of Smaug sees him at his best, but now he's at his worst, as he doesn't last longer than the opening credit.
It all happens a bit too quick for anyone's liking, seeing as though TDOS builds his character/monster up, creating a foreboding, terrifying menace, only for him to come crashing down. It's grand, but it should have lasted longer given the time the dragon has previously spent on screen.
Focus has now shifted towards an upcoming battle between Men, Elves, Dwarves and Orcs, orchestrated by the Orc Captain Azog and Thorin's greed. Armitage is the man with the magic. Today, is his day. Just like his father before him, Thorin is suffering with the dragon sickness. He trusts no one, believes that everyone is deceiving him and will not give up one drop of gold to those who think they have the right. Armitage wants the Arkenstone more than anything. He won't stop until this relic has been found.
Bilbo (Freeman) is the other sparkling jewel here. Again, it's less about individual characters and more about bonds, enemies and what's to come after (LOTR). Bilbo, just like he's done before, plays his part and stands as a strong figure amongst friends and foes.
There has to be chunk of improvisation if Peter Jackson is to pull off an impeccable ending, and he manages it, just about. All those who've read the book will know the majority of the ending is made up. Don't get me wrong, the results are the same but how PJ propels us to these results is what's different. It will solely depend on your taste. I've read the book several times and I still enjoyed the film. It was unexpected and very pleasant.
Many differences will be too much for some to digest. For example Tauriel (Lilly) and Kili's (Turner) romance, Beorn having all but three shots and the Dwarves still having little to say (or in Bombur's case, nothing at all). Tying up loose ends with the Nazgul and Sauron was a joy to watch, as The Battle of the Five Armies leads us up to Frodo's adventures, but you can't help feeling some of those missing pieces will be filled with the extended edition release.
Verdict: There's plenty to like for those who've never read the book, and plenty to dislike if you have. One thing's for certain, one thing we're very glad of, is TBOTFA ends swiftly, unlike TROTK.
4/5
4/5
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