Jay Snook reviews the final Hobbit film, and notices it is a film that successfully brings this story to a close. But is it a film fans will enjoy?
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This film did well this weekend, It received the #1 spot and made 90.6 million since it opened on Wednesday. Critics were not as kind, but I enjoyed it immensely and here is why.
Bilbo Baggins has seen much and grown in many ways since he left the shire. He has met some kind people, and life and death situations that would challenge even the most battle hardened warrior. Bilbo does have his secrets, and harboring those secrets has put a black cloud around his heart. But through it all he has helped Thorin Oakenshield and his party reach the lonely mountain. They made it home, but not without risks and extreme danger. It seems once Smaug left things would get better, but this could not be further from the truth. Thorin has made a change for the worse, and even Bilbo fears for what he may become. With tensions heating up on all sides it seems a giant battle is imminent, with no idea who could be victorious.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies continues right where Desolation of Smaug ended. The dragon is on his way to seek vengeance, and this is by no means a good thing. All Thorin cares about is finding the arken stone, and has his party looking for it night and day without rest through the endless piles of treasure at their feet. He sleeps little and rarely eats; all he can think about is this stone, which he believes proves his right to rule. It seems he is not himself, going so far as to tell Bilbo he thinks of one his friends is keeping it from him. While this is going on, war is on its way. The Orcs want to take the lonely mountain as their own, and the wood elves want back a treasure that Thorin has had for a long time. If this is not bad enough, Lake Town also is looking for repayment promised for a horrible incident that they blame him for. But with his thirst for power and wealth, he refuses to help anyone out. There is also the threat of this unknown necromancer, someone who has great dark powers and could mean certain ruin to all of middle earth if they succeed in their endeavors. With this humongous battle upon middle earth, it is not easy to see what will happen next. What is happening to Thorin? Can anything be done to save him? Who is this mysterious necromancer? And what part is Bilbo destined to play in this dangerous conflict?
Martin Freeman does a splendid job as Bilbo. His character has grown in so many ways since this quest began. He went from a simple man to someone who is confident, strong and willing to take risks in his life. He brings a simplicity to Bilbo, like how he never talks down to anyone and his heart is pure. No matter how tough things get, he is always there to make sure things move along. When someone hits a bump in their endeavors, he is there to give them wisdom and courage to press on. He is someone all men should try to be, calm and yet caring for his fellow man. If more men today were like Bilbo, the world could be a better place. He really makes this a great film, I can think of no one else who could have done such a good job as he did, makes it a must watch film in my book. Richard Armitage is back as Thorin Oakenshield, and he delivers a killer performance this time around. The depths this man goes through and the trials he endures are mainly mental, but they bring him to his knees. The performance is darker than in the other movies, but are also a blast to watch. It is true he has changed much since last time, but I refuse to spoil how or why. To find out you will have to go see this movie. One of the best performances I have seen all year.
Manu Bennett is back as Azog the Defiler, one of the most evil Orcs ever to crawl middle earth. He is an old foe from Thorin’s past, and someone who cannot wait to have his revenge for losing his arm to him so long ago. But this time he has a huge army led by a mysterious leader in a vile place that was thought to be empty for a long time. He brings the hatred and thirst for blood in a realistic way, the way he talks and his facial expressions help the viewer look into the darkest parts of his soul. All he wants it to cause harm to all of this peaceful land, and he cares not who dies along the way. One of the most vile evildoers I have seen in a film like this, but one that is never boring to watch.
If you enjoyed the last two Hobbit films, you should go out and see this movie. If you are looking for a good fantasy film to see with your friends, friends or kids 15 and older, this is the film to run out and see. This film has great special effects and a story that will truly move you. This is a great action movie to see with your guy friends.
Watch the teaser below:
The ‘artistic license’ of story changes and additions aside, this movie made me think of a Michael Bay movie and that isn’t necessarily a good thing. Why do so many movie makers seem to think that if a little action is ok, more is better and a lot is best. TLoTR; The Return of the King had a similar amount of battle in the books, but the movie handled it much better than this one. This one felt forced, almost contrived. The story was fine and I am not in disagreement with the author here on that point. It is… Read more »