Monday, December 29, 2014

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

I gave this movie: 5 stars

Why?

We'll say that it's over, but the journey has been a long and satisfying one. This finale to another Tolkien trilogy was an exciting adventure in which the characters kept the focus despite the raging battles throughout. The opening sequence began the action immediately, though it may have been better placed at the end of the previous film. The final building conflicts between the elves, the people of Lake Town, the dwarves, and the growing power of the darkness create a powerful emotional depth of themes such as greed, love, and power. Separating the book from the film is another matter, but it definitely impresses in terms of action, unexpected humor, and character relationships. The story of Bilbo Baggins connects back to the original trilogy, so the ending is both fitting and sentimental. The downfall of the film is the overuse of special effects, giving the entire film a fantastical sheen that doesn't feel quite real. The work of the cast and crew culminates in this anticipated finale. In all, it is an enthralling last journey to Middle Earth.


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