THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (2014) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch | Martin Freeman
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The film is essentially one continuous, well-executed battle sequence, maintaining engagement through varied faction movements.
- ❖Thorin's descent into 'dragon sickness' and his eventual, albeit late, return to clarity forms the core emotional arc.
- ❖The distinct and creative combat styles of the Dwarves (war goats, siege equipment) and Elves (nimble archers, shield-surfing) are a major highlight.
- ❖Bilbo Baggins, despite his crucial role in the Arkenstone plot, feels like a secondary character in his own story's conclusion.
- ❖Galadriel's confrontation with the Nazgûl and Sauron is lauded as a visually stunning display of powerful magic.
- ❖The early defeat of Smaug, after being a cliffhanger, is seen as a pacing misstep that could have been integrated into the previous film.
Insights
1Smaug's Swift Demise and Pacing Issues
The hosts found it anticlimactic that Smaug, the cliffhanger from the previous film, was defeated within the first 20 minutes of 'The Battle of the Five Armies.' They suggest this resolution should have been part of the second film's ending, as its quick conclusion here felt like a missed narrative opportunity and impacted the overall pacing of the trilogy.
The hosts discuss how Smaug's death in the first 20 minutes felt like a 'precursor moment' and that the second film should have ended with the burning of Lake-town and the dragon's defeat. ( - )
2Thorin's 'Dragon Sickness' Arc
Thorin's obsession with the Arkenstone and the gold, dubbed 'dragon sickness,' is identified as the main character arc of the film. The hosts appreciate the portrayal of his descent into madness, mirroring his grandfather, and his eventual, though very late, realization and redemption.
The hosts describe Thorin's gold addiction as 'tough to watch' and the 'main thing going on here,' noting his realization came 'very late in the battle.' ( - , - )
3Creative and Distinct Battle Choreography
The film is highly praised for its extensive and creative battle sequences. The hosts particularly highlight the unique and intelligent warfare strategies of the Dwarves, including their war goats, siege equipment, and innovative defenses against Elven arrows, as well as the Elves' agile and structured fighting style.
The hosts laud the 'super creative' dwarven siege equipment, 'spinning like whirly gigs that knock the arrows out of the air,' and their 'battle pigs' and 'rams' in proper formation. ( - , - )
4Bilbo's Sidelined Role
Despite the trilogy being named 'The Hobbit,' the hosts observe that Bilbo Baggins becomes a surprisingly minor character in the final film. While his action with the Arkenstone is narratively crucial for Thorin's arc, Bilbo himself often feels secondary to the larger conflicts and character developments.
The hosts state, 'Bilbo is a very minor character,' feeling he was 'sort of secondhand to the whole film' and that they sometimes forgot 'Bilbo's in this movie.' ( - )
5Visually Stunning Magic and Character Deaths
The hosts commend the visual effects, especially Galadriel's powerful confrontation with the Nazgûl and Sauron, describing it as 'unknowable magic.' They also note the effective portrayal of character deaths, from Smaug's light-fading eyes to Thorin's final moments, which convey a strong sense of loss.
The hosts describe Galadriel's fight as 'so stunning' and 'visually cool,' capturing the 'unease' of Sauron. They also mention the 'perfect death' of Smaug and the emotional impact of Thorin's passing. ( - , - )
Quotes
"I loved the Hobbit movies. These were super fun. They were super fun in like returning to the world of Middle Earth and you know getting a little bit more of that story and I guess the preamble to Lord of the Rings."
"What I've loved is we've gotten to see dwarves kick ass more and more outside of just Gimly. They're skilled. And then getting to see them like ride war goats and their siege equipment and the genius like massive ballistas with the spinning like whirly gigs that knock the arrows out of the air is so genius."
"It's the corruption of wealth. It's the corruption of power. Right. Like absolute power corrupts. Absolutely. It's it's suddenly, oh, this is my birthright, so I'm not letting anybody touch it because I earned this to nobody else."
"That to me was the epitome of like this is unknowable magic that mortal man cannot understand. Right. I think they really captured the unease and and almost ununderstandable feeling of Sauron in his like I don't know weakened soul form and battling that mighty magic that just doesn't have a corporeal form yet."
"That was really heart-wrenching because they didn't even share like a real romance. They just had a a love for each other, but they never got to really truly express it very much."
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