THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

This is quite an emotional one to write for a Tolkien and Peter Jackson fans. For all we know, this could be the last time we see Middle Earth and its diverse beings on screen. Of course, we are not ruling out a reboot of the two trilogies, but the iconic status achieved by the Lord of the Rings would give almost any director cold feet if he thinks of reinventing it. So, here we are, the last of the 6 movies on Middle Earth, The Battle of the Five Armies.
As with all other Middle Earth movies, this takes off right where the last one left, when Smaug the dragon flew towards the city to teach the meddling dwarves a lesson or two about his invincibility. Thorin and his followers are crestfallen as they watch from their city under the mountain. The city goes up in flames and there is no hope against the wrath of a fire breather. But there is still a spear and a dragon slayer who has lived under the pain of having failed once. This time he finds his mark and Smaug falls to his death. The dragon is gone, the dwarves have their kingdom back, Thorin Oakenshield is king under the mountain. Everything is alright, better than ever, or is it?

With Smaug gone, the mountain city is open for takers, as much for its strategic importance as for the

immeasurable treasures. Middle earth converges on the mountain city and as more and more claimants make their way into the fray, what starts off as a battle of honor between the elves and the dwarves turns out to become the Battle of the Five Armies!
The Hobbit trilogy has the same arc as The Lord of The Rings trilogy. It is about a wandering heir finally returning to his throne. If it was Aragorn in the first trilogy, it is Thorin Oakenshield in this one. Peter Jackson can be trusted with making a visual epic that is fitting of the world that Tolkien created. The magnificence of the battle scenes, the awe inspiring landscapes, the cringe worthy orcs and all that makes Middle Earth immortal are brought out very effectively on screen.

By now, we are so familiar with the characters that we have a kind of bond with them and it is difficult to judge the character arc or development of anyone impartially; one because we like them and two, because they are characters well established earlier in the trilogy or in the earlier trilogy itself. Gandalf is not much of an enforcer in The Battle of the Five Armies, he is mostly an onlooker as things unfold around him. The main perpetrator is the ‘burglar’ Bilbo Baggins, played in a very nuanced manner by Martin Freeman. He manages to look cunning, gullible, vulnerable and courageous at various points in the movie, occasionally adding a dash of humor. He has been the life of this franchise by and large, and he does the job in the final installment too.
It is difficult to write an objective review of one of the most loved franchises of all times. So, I recommend that you go and catch this one in theaters to see Middle Earth one last time. Everyone has agreed that The Hobbit trilogy has not matched up to the magnificent standards set by the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The reason for this I feel is that Thorin Oakenshield, the main protagonist of the trilogy, has not been able to establish the emotional connect with the audience that Aragorn managed to. The Fellowship, and bonds of friendship that were forged, between Sam and Frodo, between Pippin and Merry, and between Aragorn, Gimli and Legolias could not be recreated here, which is why for all the visual grandeur and magnificence, The Hobbit trilogy could not anchor us emotionally. The love story of Kili and Tauriel manages to touch a chord, but it is snuffed out.
It has to be mentioned that The Battle of the Five Armies uses 3D technology in most effective

manner seen in recent times. It is one of the rare movies over the past couple of years which looks like it has used 3D with a purpose, not merely as an enhancement in a few shots.
The Battle of the Five Armies ends on a very sweet note, taking us all back to the point where the journey began, nearly 14 years back. The point where Gandalf knocks on Bilbo’s door in The Fellowship of the Ring. It is farewell to one of the best franchises we have ever seen, and that is a good enough reason to watch it.
A visually splendid emotional farewell to Middle Earth!
3.5/5