**WARNING: THERE WILL BE SOME SPOILERS. DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED AT ALL

 

…this is your last warning.

 

 

..are you sure you want to do this?

 

….ok fine, have it your way, but before you do, listen to fan reaction first.

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Record for the shortest film out of all six.

I was slightly puzzled coming out of The Battle of the Five Armies as it had clocked in at a shade under 2 and a ½ hours.   Was there supposed to be more dialogue? Was there supposed to be some more walking? What about Saruman’s confrontation with Sauron and him joining the dark side? (Come on now people , it’s not a spoiler, you know it happens eventually.) What about the fighting?   No matter how you slice it, this movie lives up to its billing as you get to see 5 armies smash into each other.

…meanwhile in this corner.

So many fights so little time. This movie literally picks up after the end of The Desolation of Smaug. Smaug is loose and wreaking havok on Lake-town. Meantime, Thorin is succumbing to what is called dragon-sickness as all he can think about is the gold and finding the Arkenstone. Once Smaug is dealt with, Thorin’s biggest fear is all who will come knocking at the door making claim over the gold and of course, EVERYONE comes knocking looking for reparations and lost treasure. As men, dwarves and elves squabble over the gold in the mountain, Sauron is making moves of his own to secure that land and get Angmar set to invade Middle-Earth. With this scene we get a glimpse of some familiar characters from the Fellowship of the Ring in their full glory. Not too much longer, it’s game on.

The Battles

Once all of the pieces are in position, everything just happens. It’s organic how it does. Old vendettas are settled. Loyalties are betrayed; Friends and families are parted and reunited. Love is won and lost. Also if anything, this was probably one of the more lighthearted movies in the series. This is in part due to Ryan Gage as Alfrid’s comedic appearance throughout the movie. He replaces Grima as the henchman you love to hate. Hugo Weaving’s Elrond makes another brief appearance, as does Christopher Lee’s Saruman because we all know their stories must wait until Lord of the Rings. Meantime, this movie belonged to Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly and a very good portion to Lee Pace (I just can’t shake Ned the pie maker out of my head!) as Thranduril.  To those who read the book, we mostly know where this is going but the best part is watching this movie show us at how we get there.   Again, looking at the pace of this movie, Peter Jackson does a good job at being expeditious about bridging this movie with the Lord of the Rings films, however I was slightly concerned that when the dust settled, the closures seemed a bit rushed. But, conversely, I couldn’t wait for him to close out Return of the King. Also, one couldn’t help but note that one significant character was introduced and…survived.

One Last Time

If you are a fan of the movies, you won’t be disappointed. I will warn that if you are bringing small kids, that there is a fair amount of blood and gore. Also there is many decapitations throughout the movie but with a title such as this, war is not a pretty picture. I do plan on seeing it again upon release and I cannot wait to add this to my blu-ray collection.   Peter Jackson did a fine job at managing this film. Besides a few hiccups with character development, I was thoroughly entertained.

 

4  stars out of 5