The "Hobbit" movies has gotten flak for being "Lord of the Rings" lite, and to an extent, I understand, but I don't find that analysis completely fair. While it's true that this series is padded with material not found in the book, and at times, adopts the tone of the original trilogy, the "Hobbit" series excels when the atmosphere of Middle Earth takes over. "The Hobbit" movies are strongest when removed farthest from "Lord of the Rings."
The first two installments, "An Unexpected Journey" and "The Desolation of Smaug" make the balance of action and atmosphere work, pushing the story along while giving time to explore the world (wandering through the dark forest, climbing the Stone Giants). However, with the conclusion, "Battle of the Five Armies", the problems come to the forefront, and in a movie that attempts to replicate "Return of the King," director Peter Jackson misses the mark, with a less impactful spectacle trying to masquerade a bloated, confusing plot.
Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his company of dwarves must defend the human stronghold of Laketown from Smaug's fury after they exile the dragon from Erebor, the dwarves' mountain homeland. Unbeknownst to them, their campaign has attracted the attention of all the major powers of Middle Earth, ready to culminate into a final confrontation that will determine everyone's fate.
These characters are still lovable and dynamic; Freeman's Bilbo is reserved, but skillfully and subtly articulates the status of his thoughts, whether they be in doubt, disappointment, or gratitude. Ian McKellen combines gravitas and a kind heart as Gandalf: spectacular as always. (I'm sad to see him go.) Bard (Luke Evans) balances his roles of warrior and leader, (better so than Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn); he delivers what will likely be an underrated performance.
"Battle of the Five Armies" balances out its hits with misses: for every time Christopher Lee kicks ass in the name of wizardry, the Legolas-Tauriel-Kili love triangle rears its studio-mandated head. The action, while presented beautifully in the movie's sets, is shot tight to the point of claustrophobia, let alone comprehension. For every tearjerking speech, there's a bout of irritating comic relief. For every one of my audience's shouts of approval, there's a derisive giggle of disbelief.
However, when compared to its counterparts, "Battle of the Five Armies" has a level of confidence that's hard to fault, likely due to Jackson's comfort with the material. The amount of effort and spectacle demands to be seen on the big screen; you'd be doing it a disservice in any other medium (except for a DVD marathon.) The movie, regardless of its faults, feels like the return of an old friend. It may not reach the caliber of "Return of the King", but "Battle of the Five Armies" is a serviceable conclusion, and a welcome end to our adventures in Middle Earth.
Thank you all for reading; I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.
The first two installments, "An Unexpected Journey" and "The Desolation of Smaug" make the balance of action and atmosphere work, pushing the story along while giving time to explore the world (wandering through the dark forest, climbing the Stone Giants). However, with the conclusion, "Battle of the Five Armies", the problems come to the forefront, and in a movie that attempts to replicate "Return of the King," director Peter Jackson misses the mark, with a less impactful spectacle trying to masquerade a bloated, confusing plot.
Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his company of dwarves must defend the human stronghold of Laketown from Smaug's fury after they exile the dragon from Erebor, the dwarves' mountain homeland. Unbeknownst to them, their campaign has attracted the attention of all the major powers of Middle Earth, ready to culminate into a final confrontation that will determine everyone's fate.
These characters are still lovable and dynamic; Freeman's Bilbo is reserved, but skillfully and subtly articulates the status of his thoughts, whether they be in doubt, disappointment, or gratitude. Ian McKellen combines gravitas and a kind heart as Gandalf: spectacular as always. (I'm sad to see him go.) Bard (Luke Evans) balances his roles of warrior and leader, (better so than Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn); he delivers what will likely be an underrated performance.
"Battle of the Five Armies" balances out its hits with misses: for every time Christopher Lee kicks ass in the name of wizardry, the Legolas-Tauriel-Kili love triangle rears its studio-mandated head. The action, while presented beautifully in the movie's sets, is shot tight to the point of claustrophobia, let alone comprehension. For every tearjerking speech, there's a bout of irritating comic relief. For every one of my audience's shouts of approval, there's a derisive giggle of disbelief.
However, when compared to its counterparts, "Battle of the Five Armies" has a level of confidence that's hard to fault, likely due to Jackson's comfort with the material. The amount of effort and spectacle demands to be seen on the big screen; you'd be doing it a disservice in any other medium (except for a DVD marathon.) The movie, regardless of its faults, feels like the return of an old friend. It may not reach the caliber of "Return of the King", but "Battle of the Five Armies" is a serviceable conclusion, and a welcome end to our adventures in Middle Earth.
Thank you all for reading; I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.
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