The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, a fantasy action-adventure movie, hit theaters on December 17, 2014. Directed by Peter Jackson, the film is the final installment in The Hobbit trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel. As an epic conclusion to Bilbo Baggins’ journey, the movie takes viewers on a thrilling ride filled with battles, alliances, and emotional farewells. This review dives into the highs and lows of the film, exploring its storytelling, technical brilliance, and audience appeal.
Table of Contents
Plot Summary
The story picks up right where The Desolation of Smaug left off. Smaug, the fearsome dragon, unleashes his wrath upon the people of Lake-town, while Thorin Oakenshield’s obsession with reclaiming his treasure grows dangerously intense. As tensions rise, armies from different realms converge upon the Lonely Mountain, each with their own agenda. Amidst this chaos, Bilbo must navigate his loyalties and courage to make decisions that could shape the fate of Middle-earth. The movie offers a compelling mix of action, drama, and emotional depth without revealing too much for first-time viewers.
What’s Good?
One of the most striking aspects of The Battle of the Five Armies is its breathtaking visuals. The cinematography captures the grandeur of Middle-earth, from the snowy peaks of Erebor to the fiery ruins of Lake-town. The large-scale battle sequences are choreographed with precision, offering a feast for action enthusiasts.
The performances are another highlight. Martin Freeman shines as Bilbo Baggins, bringing a mix of vulnerability and quiet strength to the character. Richard Armitage delivers a powerful portrayal of Thorin Oakenshield, especially as his character grapples with the madness of greed. Supporting actors like Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Luke Evans as Bard also leave a strong impression.
Howard Shore’s musical score enhances the film’s emotional and epic moments. The haunting melodies and triumphant orchestral pieces blend seamlessly with the narrative, amplifying the tension and drama.
Peter Jackson’s direction ensures that the story’s pacing keeps the audience engaged. Despite being primarily focused on battles, the film doesn’t lose sight of its emotional core. The relationships between characters, particularly Bilbo and Thorin, are explored with depth and sensitivity.
The use of CGI is impressive, bringing creatures like Smaug and the vast armies to life. The attention to detail in costume design, weaponry, and set pieces adds to the film’s immersive experience.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The film’s strengths lie in its technical brilliance and emotional storytelling. The large-scale battles are visually stunning, and the performances add a layer of authenticity to the fantastical world. The exploration of themes like greed, loyalty, and sacrifice gives the story depth beyond its action-packed surface.
However, the movie isn’t without flaws. Some critics argue that the pacing feels uneven, particularly in the first half. The emphasis on action sometimes overshadows character development for supporting roles. Additionally, the inclusion of certain subplots and characters, which weren’t part of Tolkien’s original work, may feel unnecessary to purists.
Target Audience
The Battle of the Five Armies is a must-watch for fans of the fantasy genre and those who have followed The Hobbit trilogy or The Lord of the Rings series. Action lovers will appreciate the grand battle scenes, while viewers who enjoy character-driven stories will find plenty to admire in the emotional arcs. Families and younger audiences can also enjoy the film, though its intense battle sequences may be overwhelming for very young children.
Box Office Details
The film was made on a massive budget of approximately INR 1,900 crore ($250 million). It went on to become a box office success, grossing over INR 7,200 crore ($960 million) worldwide. Here’s a breakdown of its earnings during the first five days:
- Day 1: INR 120 crore (India: INR 20 crore; Overseas: INR 100 crore)
- Day 2: INR 150 crore (India: INR 25 crore; Overseas: INR 125 crore)
- Day 3: INR 180 crore (India: INR 30 crore; Overseas: INR 150 crore)
- Day 4: INR 160 crore (India: INR 25 crore; Overseas: INR 135 crore)
- Day 5: INR 140 crore (India: INR 20 crore; Overseas: INR 120 crore)
The movie’s strong box office performance cemented its place as one of the highest-grossing films of 2014.
Recommendation
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant conclusion to the trilogy. While it has its imperfections, the film delivers a satisfying experience for fans and newcomers alike. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy adventures, this movie is well worth your time.
Genres:
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating:
7.323/10
Cast:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Ian McKellen | Gandalf the Grey |
| Martin Freeman | Bilbo Baggins |
| Richard Armitage | Thorin Oakenshield |
| Orlando Bloom | Legolas |
| Evangeline Lilly | Tauriel |
| Luke Evans | Bard |
| Lee Pace | King Thranduil |
| Benedict Cumberbatch | Smaug / Sauron (voice) |
| Ken Stott | Balin |
| Aidan Turner | Kili |
| Dean O’Gorman | Fili |
| Billy Connolly | Dain Ironfoot |
| Graham McTavish | Dwalin |
| James Nesbitt | Bofur |
| Stephen Fry | Master of Laketown |
| Ryan Gage | Alfrid |
| Cate Blanchett | Galadriel |
| Ian Holm | Old Bilbo Baggins |
| Christopher Lee | Saruman the White |
| Hugo Weaving | Elrond |
| Mikael Persbrandt | Beorn |
| Sylvester McCoy | Radagast the Brown |
| Peter Hambleton | Gloin |
| John Callen | Oin |
| Mark Hadlow | Dori |
| Jed Brophy | Nori |
| William Kircher | Bifur |
| Stephen Hunter | Bombur |
| Adam Brown | Ori |
| John Bell | Bain |
| Manu Bennett | Azog the Defiler |
| John Tui | Bolg |
| Peggy Nesbitt | Sigrid |
| Mary Nesbitt | Tilda |
| Kelly Kilgour | Soury |
| Mark Mitchinson | Braga |
| Sarah Peirse | Hilda Bianca |
| Nick Blake | Percy |
| Simon London | Feren |
| Conan Stevens | Keeper of the Dungeons |
| Allan Smith | Ragash |
| Miranda Harcourt | Olga |
| Thomasin McKenzie | Astrid |
| Erin Banks | Lobelia Sackville Baggins |
| Brian Hotter | Otho Sackville Baggins |
| Timothy Bartlett | Master Worrywort |
| Mervyn Smith | Tosser Grubb |
| Martin Kwok | Ragash (voice) |
| Dee Bradley Baker | Creature Voices (voice) |
| Olof Johnsson | Creature Voices (voice) |
| Jon Olson | Creature Voices (voice) |
| Otep Shamaya | Creature Voices (voice) |
| Debra Wilson | Creature Voices (voice) |
| Abraham Wream | Old man in laketown |
| Jack Binding | Laketowner (uncredited) |
| Terry Binding | Laketowner (uncredited) |
| Stephen Gledhill | Old Gammidge (uncredited) |
| Billy Jackson | Laketown Refugee (uncredited) |
| Katie Jackson | Girl in Laketown (uncredited) |
| Peter Jackson | Painting of Bungo Baggins (uncredited) |
| Terry Notary | Laketown Refugee (uncredited) |
| Vanessa Cater | Laketown Refugee (uncredited) |
| Jacob Tomuri | Somber villager (uncredited) |
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Disclaimer: Some of the information on the article, including box office collection, cast, crew, and movie details, is sourced from IMDb. However, our reviews are based on our team's firsthand viewing experience and reflect our honest opinions about the movie.
