Reviewing The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: A Critical Look

Luna Greco

5 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

4.9

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Action and Visual Effects in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Scale and Spectacle

The titular battle is undeniably the film's centerpiece, a breathtaking display of CGI and epic scale. The visual effects, while occasionally bordering on overwhelming, largely succeed in conveying the chaotic intensity of the conflict. We witness breathtaking scenes of clashing armies, fantastical creatures, and devastating magical displays.

• Specific Battle Sequences: The siege of Erebor, the aerial combat involving wargs and eagles, and the final confrontation between Thorin and Azog are particularly noteworthy for their visual impact.
• CGI Quality: While some critics pointed out moments where the CGI felt slightly less refined than in other contemporary fantasy epics, the overall quality remains impressive, immersing the viewer in the heart of the battle.
• Comparison to Other Films: Compared to the battles in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the scale is arguably even larger, yet the intimate moments are sometimes lost in the sheer spectacle.

Critique of Action Choreography

While the sheer scale of the battle scenes is impressive, the clarity of the action choreography occasionally suffers. During the most chaotic moments, it can be difficult to follow individual characters or understand the strategic flow of the battle. This is a common criticism of large-scale battle scenes in film, but it does affect the overall viewing experience.

• Action Choreography and Clarity: The cinematography contributes to this issue, with quick cuts and rapidly shifting camera angles sometimes obscuring the action rather than clarifying it.
• Battle Scenes and Cinematic Choices: While visually stunning, some battle scenes feel less strategically sound than they might be, sacrificing clarity for sheer visual impact.

Character Development and Performances in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Thorin Oakenshield's Arc

Thorin Oakenshield's character arc forms the emotional core of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. His struggle with the dragon's hoard and its corrupting influence, culminating in his eventual redemption, is a powerful and well-executed storyline.

• Specific Scenes: Thorin's final moments with Bilbo, his confrontation with Azog, and his acceptance of his fate all showcase Richard Armitage's powerful performance and the depth of his character's journey.
• Character Development and Redemption: The film effectively portrays the internal conflict within Thorin, illustrating his transformation from a greedy, driven king to a leader who ultimately sacrifices himself for his people.

Supporting Characters and Their Roles

While Thorin's story dominates, the supporting characters also play significant roles. Bilbo's continued growth, Gandalf's strategic leadership, and Legolas's participation in the battle, though somewhat detached from the main storyline, are all important parts of the narrative. Tauriel's presence, however, continues to be a source of debate among Tolkien purists.

• Character Portrayal: Martin Freeman continues to provide a charming and relatable performance as Bilbo, showcasing his journey from a timid hobbit to a brave adventurer. Ian McKellen’s Gandalf is, as ever, a commanding and wise presence.
• Supporting Characters and Plot: Some supporting characters are less successfully integrated into the main narrative, particularly Tauriel, whose romantic subplot feels somewhat extraneous to the central conflict.

Plot Coherence and Narrative Structure in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Pacing and Plot Points

The film's pacing is arguably its greatest weakness. An attempt to cram a large amount of source material and narrative threads into a single film leads to a somewhat rushed and fragmented feel. Several plot points are introduced and resolved quickly, leaving little room for emotional resonance.

• Plot Coherence and Pacing: The relentless pace means that several important developments occur with little fanfare, and some character arcs are not given the attention they warrant.
• Comparison to other Hobbit Films: Compared to An Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug, The Battle of the Five Armies suffers from an overreliance on action sequences at the expense of character development and narrative nuance.

Faithfulness to Tolkien's Source Material

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies takes significant liberties with Tolkien's source material. While the core elements of the story are present, many details are altered, expanded, or entirely omitted.

• Source Material and Adaptation: This adaptation is quite different from its source, with additions intended to provide an epic conclusion.
• Faithfulness and Deviation: The significant alterations to the source material, particularly the addition of numerous characters and plot lines not found in Tolkien’s original work, will be a point of contention for some viewers.

Conclusion: A Final Verdict on The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies ultimately delivers on spectacle, presenting a visually stunning and large-scale battle. However, the film's rushed pacing, occasionally unclear action choreography, and significant deviations from Tolkien's source material ultimately detract from the overall experience. While it provides a satisfying conclusion to the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield, it isn’t as cohesive or emotionally resonant as it could have been. The overall assessment is a mixed bag: impressive visuals overshadowed by narrative shortcomings. It works as a satisfying, albeit flawed, conclusion to the Hobbit trilogy.

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