MOVIE REVIEW: “The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies”

Starring:

This is the last move in a master plan.

A plan long in the making.

Bilbo Baggins and Thorin’s company of dwarves sit upon the Lonely Mountain while Smaug desolates Laketown. While the townfolk scramble to safety, Bard attempts to end the torment before the entire town is ruined. Meanwhile, Bilbo notices that Thorin is beginning to change and is concerned that Thorin may have dragon sickness. Thorin is obsessed with finding the Arkenstone and distrusts Bard and the townfolk so he has the dwarves barricade the entrance of Erebor. After receiving word that the dwarves have reclaimed the Lonely Mountain, Thranduil joins Bard and the townfolk in The Dale to claim his necklace of white jewels from the treasure. Bard seeks to reason with Thorin reminding him of his prior oath. When Thorin refuses to share even one coin, Thranduil’s elven army prepares to attack. Thorin’s cousin, Dain, arrives with his dwarf army and the battle is about to begin when Azog’s legion of Orcs arrives. As the peril mounts, the four armies suffer great losses until Thorin and the fifth army join the fight.

You have but one question to answer…

how will this day end!

Peter Jackson‘s epic conclusion to The Hobbit trilogy provides a resounding crescendo to the series especially during the 45 minute battle scene. Jackson’s passion for J.R.R. Tolkien‘s work shines through each and every frame. The embellishments that the screenplay takes with the story are a welcome expansion in that they lend even more depth to the classic story. In addition to the political undertones created by Tolkien, Jackson also drives home the message that even the smallest individual can exude humility, courage, and insight. Pace, Freeman, Bloom, Evans, and Armitage provide outstanding performances and are the backbone of the film. The relentless action and the perfected CGI throughout the shortest running time of the six films resulted in an extremely entertaining experience. The hauntingly beautiful “The Last Goodbye” by Billy Boyd bids a very fond farewell to the cinematic journey. Hobble into the theater to see it!

~ Movie Buffette