Reviewing The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies - A Critical Analysis

Felix Dubois

6 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

4.8

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The Visual Spectacle and CGI

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is undeniably a feast for the eyes. The visual effects are breathtaking, particularly during the titular Battle of Five Armies sequence. The sheer scale of the conflict, with dwarves, elves, men, and orcs clashing amidst a stunning, CGI-rendered landscape, is impressive. Jackson masterfully utilizes both practical effects and CGI, seamlessly blending them to create a believable and immersive Middle-earth.

However, the film's reliance on CGI is a double-edged sword. While the battle sequences are spectacular, some critics argue that the over-reliance on CGI occasionally detracts from the film's overall realism, leading to a slightly artificial feel at times. The balance between practical and digital effects could have been further refined to achieve an even greater sense of authenticity.

• Stunning Visual Moments: The sweeping shots of the Lonely Mountain, the detailed design of the various armies, and the creative depictions of magical spells are standouts.
• Critique of CGI Overuse: In certain scenes, the CGI feels somewhat detached, lacking the tactile quality of practical effects, which could have added more depth and realism.
• Comparison to Other Fantasy Films: While comparable to other high-budget fantasy films in terms of visual fidelity, The Battle of Five Armies occasionally falls short in creating a sense of genuine weight and consequence in its action sequences.

Character Development and Arc

The film’s success hinges on the compelling character arcs of its central figures. Thorin Oakenshield's descent into madness fuelled by greed, and his subsequent redemption, forms the emotional core of the narrative. His internal conflict is palpable, making his ultimate sacrifice deeply affecting. Bilbo, too, undergoes a significant transformation, solidifying his courage and self-discovery through facing overwhelming odds. His growth mirrors the themes of courage and self-discovery present throughout the entire Hobbit trilogy.

However, some supporting characters feel underdeveloped, lacking the depth and complexity of their counterparts in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This uneven distribution of focus occasionally leaves viewers wanting a more comprehensive understanding of certain characters' motivations and actions.

• Thorin's Transformation: His arc provides the film's emotional center and is arguably its most successful character development.
• Bilbo's Growth: The film adequately demonstrates Bilbo's growth from timid hobbit to a courageous adventurer, ready to face his destiny.
• Supporting Characters: The roles of characters like Bard the Bowman and Tauriel receive less development than deserved, leaving their arcs feeling somewhat incomplete.

Narrative Structure and Pacing

The narrative of The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies suffers from pacing issues. The film attempts to cram a significant amount of plot into its runtime, resulting in certain scenes feeling rushed, particularly in the buildup to the final battle. While the climax itself is visually spectacular, some plot points feel underdeveloped. The resolution of certain character arcs, such as that of Smaug, feels somewhat anticlimactic, which could have been improved with more build-up.

The structure of the film is largely linear, following a clear path from the dwarves' quest for Erebor to the epic confrontation. While this straightforward structure works to a degree, it prevents the film from reaching the narrative complexity and depth of its predecessor, The Lord of the Rings.

• Strengths of Narrative Structure: The linear structure makes it easy to follow, but lacks intricate subplots.
• Weaknesses of Pacing: The rushed feel of several scenes prevents viewers from fully connecting with the emotional weight of events.
• Effectiveness of Battle Sequences: The battle itself is visually stunning, but its placement within the narrative could have been more strategically planned to create a greater sense of dramatic tension.

Themes and Messages

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies explores several timeless themes, including the corrupting influence of greed, the redemptive power of forgiveness, and the enduring strength of friendship and loyalty. Thorin's character arc effectively illustrates the destructive nature of unchecked avarice and the ultimate triumph of selflessness over greed. The film also highlights the importance of redemption and reconciliation, with Thorin’s final act showing empathy and forgiveness.

The film successfully communicates these themes to the audience through powerful imagery and compelling character interactions. These universal themes contribute to the enduring appeal of The Hobbit saga.

• Exploration of Greed: Thorin's transformation serves as a cautionary tale against the pitfalls of unchecked greed.
• Redemption and Forgiveness: Thorin's ultimate sacrifice and Bilbo's acceptance of his flaws highlight the theme of redemption and forgiveness.
• Friendship and Loyalty: The bonds of friendship and loyalty between Bilbo and the dwarves are central to the narrative, showcasing their enduring power.

Comparison to the Book and Other Adaptations

The film diverges significantly from Tolkien's source material, expanding upon certain plot points while omitting or altering others. While many creative choices were made to fit the narrative into a film format, some fans feel that the core spirit of Tolkien’s work is somewhat diluted in the adaptation. The inclusion of new characters, such as Tauriel, adds a layer of complexity but also alters the balance of Tolkien's original narrative.

Comparing The Battle of Five Armies to other Hobbit films and the Lord of the Rings trilogy reveals a noticeable difference in tone and narrative focus. The Lord of the Rings films are arguably deeper, more complex, and more faithful to the source material. The Hobbit trilogy, while visually stunning, often lacks the same thematic depth and narrative complexity.

• Significant Differences from the Book: The film's expansive battle and the added romance storyline between Tauriel and Kili are significant departures from Tolkien's original text.
• Fidelity to the Original Text: While visually captivating, the film deviates significantly from the source material, altering key plot points and character arcs.
• Comparison to the Overall Hobbit Trilogy: The film concludes the trilogy, but lacks the emotional resonance and thematic depth found within The Lord of the Rings adaptation.

Conclusion

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is a visually impressive spectacle with moments of compelling character development, particularly Thorin's arc. However, the film suffers from pacing issues, an uneven distribution of focus among characters, and significant deviations from Tolkien’s source material. While it provides a satisfying conclusion to the Hobbit trilogy, it fails to fully capture the depth and complexity of the original story.

What are your thoughts on the Battle of Five Armies' depiction? Did you find the character development in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies satisfying? Share your opinions in the comments below! Further exploration into the world of Middle-earth awaits with additional readings and viewings of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films and books.