The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – Official Main Trailer [HD]

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is the final installment of Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved novel The Hobbit. Released in 2014, this film concludes the journey of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his companions as they face the consequences of their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its treasure from the dragon Smaug.

Plot Summary

The story picks up immediately after the events of The Desolation of Smaug, with Smaug unleashed upon the nearby Lake-town (Esgaroth). As he seeks revenge, the townspeople struggle to survive the dragon’s fiery assault. Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans), a key character in the defense of Lake-town, ultimately manages to kill Smaug, but the victory comes at a great cost.

With the dragon defeated, news of the vast treasure within the Lonely Mountain spreads, drawing the attention of various factions: the dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), the elves, led by Thranduil (Lee Pace), and the men of Lake-town. Each group seeks a share of the treasure, leading to rising tensions and a potential conflict.

As Thorin becomes increasingly obsessed with the Arkenstone—a powerful artifact and symbol of kingship—his greed clouds his judgment, straining his relationships with Bilbo and his fellow dwarves. Bilbo, in a moment of compassion, secretly gives the Arkenstone to Bard and the elves to use as leverage in negotiating with Thorin.

The Battle

The climax of the film centers around the titular Battle of the Five Armies, which includes:

1. Dwarves (led by Thorin and his companions)
2. Elves (under Thranduil)
3. Men of Lake-town (led by Bard)
4. Wargs and Orcs (led by Azog the Defiler)
5. Eagles, who come to aid the Free Peoples of Middle-earth.

The battle is a visually stunning spectacle, filled with intense combat, strategic maneuvers, and heroism. It showcases the unity among the races of Middle-earth against a common enemy. The film also includes poignant moments of sacrifice, loss, and valor, particularly for Thorin and his companions.

Themes and Character Arcs

The Battle of the Five Armies delves into themes of greed, friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of war. Thorin’s transformation from a noble leader to a paranoid king obsessed with treasure highlights the corrupting influence of greed. His eventual realization of his mistakes comes too late, leading to tragic consequences for him and those he loves.

Bilbo, as the heart of the story, embodies bravery and compassion. His actions throughout the film emphasize the importance of understanding, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship. His character arc from a timid hobbit to a courageous hero is one of the film’s emotional highlights.

Reception

Critics and audiences generally received The Battle of the Five Armies positively, praising its visual effects, action sequences, and performances, particularly those of Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, and Ian McKellen as Gandalf. However, some critics noted that the film felt stretched and criticized its pacing compared to Tolkien’s original work.

Despite mixed feelings about the trilogy as a whole compared to The Lord of the Rings, the film served as a fitting conclusion to Bilbo’s journey and the larger narrative set in Middle-earth.

Conclusion

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies stands as an epic conclusion to a richly woven tale of adventure, friendship, and the battle between good and evil. With breathtaking visuals, compelling characters, and emotional depth, the film captures the essence of Tolkien’s world and leaves a lasting impression on fans of the saga. Whether viewers are long-time fans of Tolkien’s works or newcomers to the franchise, this film provides a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to the journey through Middle-earth.