Review of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) by Fawn O — 01 Feb 2016

The Battle of the Five Armies is the third and final installment in the Hobbit series and it pales in comparison to the series' most robust sequence: The Desolation of Smaug. Peter Jackson was barely hanging on by a thread throughout the entire Hobbit series, but as a purist, I gave him the benefit of the doubt, especially after witnessing what he could do with The Desolation of Smaug. However, in The Battle of the Five Armies, his efforts weren't nearly as creative or prolific, and when they were he'd find some way to sabotage them in this film. In fact, the dialogue is frequently garish, often cloying, and rarely as cleverly jocose (although it did have its moments, I'll give him that much).

One of the biggest drawbacks to Peter Jackson's adaption was the unnecessary insertion of the anti-heroic character, Alfrid Lickspittle, the Lord of Lake-town. He was hardly bearable in the Desolation of Smaug, but he was completely revolting as a character in The Battle of the Five Armies where he is named as Bard's heir. What made him so unbearable, aside from the fact that he's practically a made-up character by Jackson considering Tolkien never mentions him in the book, is that his soul purpose in the film seemed to be to provide very cheap comic relief. At one point he dresses up as a women, which is obviously Jackson's attempt at antiquated humour. I found this character very distracting and mildly offensive. I don't understand why it was so pertinent to incorporate such an unnecessary character into the plot. I might have even enjoyed the film a little more without him. I cannot imagine any self-respecting Tolkien purist actually appreciating this addition, but to each their own, I suppose.

A second drawback was the love affair between Tauriel and Kili, even if it did seem rather harmless at first.. Tauriel, the nonconformist, free-spirited female elf who kicked so much ass alongside Elvin prince, Legolas, in the Desolation of Smaug was not only romantically involved with Legolas to a conservative degree, but she was also drawn to Kili when he was locked away in the Elvin kingdom. Although Tauriel is another character addition created by Peter Jackson, she is a welcomed addition that appealed to the depth of the Hobbit series, especially where the character of Legolas is concerned. I enjoyed the way her interest in Kili seemed to burn Legolas with jealousy. It sort of humanizes the Elvin prince. However, the love interest between Tauriel and Kili somewhat reduces Tauriel's appeal because, like many strong female characters in action films (even those based in fantasy), she becomes an emotional wreck and she is guilty of delivering some of the films most absurdly slushy dialogue. Her corniest line being, "Why does it hurt so much?" To which Thranduil responds, "Because it is real." Oi, I still shudder at that scene!

A third drawback occurs in the first fifteen minutes of the film. I am sure many will agree that the death of Smaug was poorly handled. I blinked and suddenly it was over. I found it anticlimactic and rushed. I think Jackson could have done so much more with those scenes. Smaug deserved better!

Overall, The Hobbit series failed to bring the Rings trilogy full circle because The Battle of the Five Armies (a.k.a The Battle of the Five Failures) was such a sloppy catastrophe because it seemed rushed and it focused too much on certain scenes and not enough on others. It still delivers a lot of the Tolkien charm since Jackson never seems to let us down where invigorating Tolkien fantasy is concerned, I just feel as though I almost could have done without this final installment. Actually, had Jackson condensed it into an hour and just attached it to the tail end of the Desolation of Smaug, the series may have had a fighting chance. Instead he decided to create a very convoluted film that had even worse pacing than the Desolation of Smaug.

As hard as I am being on Peter Jackson, I understand The Hobbit series was a major feat for him and taking on this sort of series that is so beloved by fans is a lot of responsibility and he deserves a round of applause for putting so much time and energy into this project.

[C] -- 60%.