So thanks to a very good friend of mine, I finally got to see The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies this weekend. These are some of the thoughts I had about it. If you haven't seen the film yet, don't read because there are spoilers.
First, let me pick out the things I didn't like.
1. the Dol Guldor sequence went way too fast
2. Also, creepy Galadriel.
3. Legolas' departure at the end: Thranduil tells him to go LOOK for Strider. I find that inconsistent with the films, if they're trying to make it consistent, because they don't meet until Rivendell anyway. But IDK maybe they knew each other previous to Elrond's council.
4. Thranduil didn't get his jewels
5. Bilbo left too soon at the end. It was just like, ok, battle's over now, I'm leaving, bye. I would like to have seen more
6. We didn't get to see Dale restored to its former glory, or Bard actually becoming a king. He never formally accepts his title anyway.
7. The major domo guy, Alfred. I found him annoying through the entire film. I was ticked that he didn't die at the end. Hopefully an orc ate him.
8. Smaug died too quickly at the beginning.
9. The dwarf army arrived too soon before the battle, and there wasn't any context for their arrival, they just showed up.
10. We saw like 20 seconds of Radagast and 10 seconds of Beorn.
I do realize that most of these concerns could be resolved in the extended edition, especially the parts where I thought they didn't show enough. And I admit, the pacing was otherwise just right for the theatrical release.
1. the Dol Guldor sequence went way too fast
2. Also, creepy Galadriel.
3. Legolas' departure at the end: Thranduil tells him to go LOOK for Strider. I find that inconsistent with the films, if they're trying to make it consistent, because they don't meet until Rivendell anyway. But IDK maybe they knew each other previous to Elrond's council.
4. Thranduil didn't get his jewels
5. Bilbo left too soon at the end. It was just like, ok, battle's over now, I'm leaving, bye. I would like to have seen more
6. We didn't get to see Dale restored to its former glory, or Bard actually becoming a king. He never formally accepts his title anyway.
7. The major domo guy, Alfred. I found him annoying through the entire film. I was ticked that he didn't die at the end. Hopefully an orc ate him.
8. Smaug died too quickly at the beginning.
9. The dwarf army arrived too soon before the battle, and there wasn't any context for their arrival, they just showed up.
10. We saw like 20 seconds of Radagast and 10 seconds of Beorn.
I do realize that most of these concerns could be resolved in the extended edition, especially the parts where I thought they didn't show enough. And I admit, the pacing was otherwise just right for the theatrical release.
This is what I did like about the film:
1. Galadriel. Period.
2. Dain--what a patriot. I really love how he rallies the guys stuck in the mountain. And he rides an armored pig. Pretty dang awesome.
3. Bilbo getting hit over the head: that was done exactly right.
4. Thorin. Thorin was the best part of the entire freaking movie. His getting caught in the dragon-sickness was really tragic. And then coming to his senses, dang! That was the best part. I also think they did his final fight/death scene right.
5. I would like to say a few words about Kili and Tauriel but for the record I'm going to write a special post on that. But they were both cool to watch in action.
6. Bilbo trying to put up with the dwarfs was fun to watch. While the rest of them were being stiff and militaristic, his cheerfulness and homesick manners were a breath of fresh air.
7. The few minutes we did see Smaug were actually pretty great. His speech to Bard was appropriately terrifying. And I like how he was tied in to Thorin's dragon-sickness.
8. The arkenstone sequence was perfect.
9. Bard is an amazing leader. I also like how he has a family. That's one of the things I liked about the last film, too. It adds such a nice touch to see that relationship and it adds a unique feel to the Hobbit trilogy.
10. Also, the way the master of Lake-town died was very epic, ironic, and satisfying.
I'm thinking when the extended edition comes out on blu-ray I'm going to have a marathon of all the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films. Question is when could I possibly find the time????
See you in the Shire!
1. Galadriel. Period.
2. Dain--what a patriot. I really love how he rallies the guys stuck in the mountain. And he rides an armored pig. Pretty dang awesome.
3. Bilbo getting hit over the head: that was done exactly right.
4. Thorin. Thorin was the best part of the entire freaking movie. His getting caught in the dragon-sickness was really tragic. And then coming to his senses, dang! That was the best part. I also think they did his final fight/death scene right.
5. I would like to say a few words about Kili and Tauriel but for the record I'm going to write a special post on that. But they were both cool to watch in action.
6. Bilbo trying to put up with the dwarfs was fun to watch. While the rest of them were being stiff and militaristic, his cheerfulness and homesick manners were a breath of fresh air.
7. The few minutes we did see Smaug were actually pretty great. His speech to Bard was appropriately terrifying. And I like how he was tied in to Thorin's dragon-sickness.
8. The arkenstone sequence was perfect.
9. Bard is an amazing leader. I also like how he has a family. That's one of the things I liked about the last film, too. It adds such a nice touch to see that relationship and it adds a unique feel to the Hobbit trilogy.
10. Also, the way the master of Lake-town died was very epic, ironic, and satisfying.
I'm thinking when the extended edition comes out on blu-ray I'm going to have a marathon of all the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films. Question is when could I possibly find the time????
See you in the Shire!