The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Aiden Turner, Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom, Lee Pace
In “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”, the third installment of the saga, Bilbo and his comrades have finally reached the lost city of Erebor, but will their quest to reclaim the dwarves’ home and restore the birthright of Thorin and his kin end in victory, or will the fragile hope they cling to be extinguished by the darkness surrounding them?
One of the strongest dilemmas that the characters face in the film is that they each face a choice between staying the course and honoring the promises they made, or following the easy path and falling into darkness and despair. This dilemma is reflected most strongly in the characters of Thorin and Bilbo, and the choices that each of these characters must face on their journey.
For Thorin, the road is harder, because he has fallen under the Dragon’s Curse. Although he has finally redeemed his lost kingdom from Smaug and given his word that he will help the people of Lake Town after their home is destroyed by the dragon’s fire, Thorin’s victory comes with a terrible price. The malignant darkness growing in his heart, has compelled Thorin not only to break his word to the people of Lake Town, but it also causes him to regard the other dwarves with suspicion and fear because he believes they are hiding the Arkenstone from him. I think, despite his maligned heart, Thorin remembered Bilbo saving his life before, and he gave Bilbo the Mithril armor to protect Bilbo from death. In the end, Thorin must choose whether to remain in darkness and face death alone, or to embrace his birthright as the true King of Erebor and defend his people against the enemy who seeks to destroy them all.
Bilbo’s choice is a pivotal turning point in his journey, and it clearly reflects how far he has come since he left his safe and comfortable life in the Shire. Bilbo is now faced with the choice of whether to stay out of the smoldering fires of war or to protect Thorin and his friends from impending doom. His courage and loyalty to his comrades is reflected in how he chooses to protect Thorin and his company, not once, but twice during the battle. His decision to put their lives before his own is what makes Bilbo a truly honorable character.
Although Bilbo has promised Thorin that he would help him reclaim his home from Smaug, Bilbo must choose whether to fulfill this promise by revealing to the newly crowned King Thorin that he – Bilbo – possesses the much-coveted Arkenstone…the King’s Jewel, that Thorin so deeply desires, to cement his place as King Under the Mountain once again…or giving the precious Arkenstone to Bard’s army, in exchange for the Elf King promising to spare the lives of his friends, and preventing an unfortunate war. Unsure of his course, Bilbo asks Balin if Thorin would be relinquished from the malignant Dragon Curse that has taken hold of his heart, should the Arkenstone be restored to him. Balin tells Bilbo that he would not be saved from it…not even with the Arkenstone. I think, in his heart, Bilbo was trying to save Thorin’s life, and his choice reflected that desire. In the end, Bilbo’s courage and loyalty are illustrated one last time, when he chooses to save his friends, rather than staying safe and hidden, as Gandalf tells him to, when the Dwarves are drawn into Azog’s trap.
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is a powerful conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale, The Hobbit. While there are moments, throughout this trilogy, that are superfluous and unnecessary, the casting for this film is flawless, particularly for Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage who bring Bilbo and Thorin to life onscreen perfectly. The stunning New Zealand landscape and the musical score are breathtaking, and the message that is woven into the book, is conveyed perfectly in the film…I daresay, the films conveyed the story better than the book. If you enjoy Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, then the Hobbit is a worthy successor, that I would highly recommend.
© 2022 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Aiden Turner, Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom, Lee Pace
In “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”, the third installment of the saga, Bilbo and his comrades have finally reached the lost city of Erebor, but will their quest to reclaim the dwarves’ home and restore the birthright of Thorin and his kin end in victory, or will the fragile hope they cling to be extinguished by the darkness surrounding them?
One of the strongest dilemmas that the characters face in the film is that they each face a choice between staying the course and honoring the promises they made, or following the easy path and falling into darkness and despair. This dilemma is reflected most strongly in the characters of Thorin and Bilbo, and the choices that each of these characters must face on their journey.
For Thorin, the road is harder, because he has fallen under the Dragon’s Curse. Although he has finally redeemed his lost kingdom from Smaug and given his word that he will help the people of Lake Town after their home is destroyed by the dragon’s fire, Thorin’s victory comes with a terrible price. The malignant darkness growing in his heart, has compelled Thorin not only to break his word to the people of Lake Town, but it also causes him to regard the other dwarves with suspicion and fear because he believes they are hiding the Arkenstone from him. I think, despite his maligned heart, Thorin remembered Bilbo saving his life before, and he gave Bilbo the Mithril armor to protect Bilbo from death. In the end, Thorin must choose whether to remain in darkness and face death alone, or to embrace his birthright as the true King of Erebor and defend his people against the enemy who seeks to destroy them all.
Bilbo’s choice is a pivotal turning point in his journey, and it clearly reflects how far he has come since he left his safe and comfortable life in the Shire. Bilbo is now faced with the choice of whether to stay out of the smoldering fires of war or to protect Thorin and his friends from impending doom. His courage and loyalty to his comrades is reflected in how he chooses to protect Thorin and his company, not once, but twice during the battle. His decision to put their lives before his own is what makes Bilbo a truly honorable character.
Although Bilbo has promised Thorin that he would help him reclaim his home from Smaug, Bilbo must choose whether to fulfill this promise by revealing to the newly crowned King Thorin that he – Bilbo – possesses the much-coveted Arkenstone…the King’s Jewel, that Thorin so deeply desires, to cement his place as King Under the Mountain once again…or giving the precious Arkenstone to Bard’s army, in exchange for the Elf King promising to spare the lives of his friends, and preventing an unfortunate war. Unsure of his course, Bilbo asks Balin if Thorin would be relinquished from the malignant Dragon Curse that has taken hold of his heart, should the Arkenstone be restored to him. Balin tells Bilbo that he would not be saved from it…not even with the Arkenstone. I think, in his heart, Bilbo was trying to save Thorin’s life, and his choice reflected that desire. In the end, Bilbo’s courage and loyalty are illustrated one last time, when he chooses to save his friends, rather than staying safe and hidden, as Gandalf tells him to, when the Dwarves are drawn into Azog’s trap.
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is a powerful conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale, The Hobbit. While there are moments, throughout this trilogy, that are superfluous and unnecessary, the casting for this film is flawless, particularly for Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage who bring Bilbo and Thorin to life onscreen perfectly. The stunning New Zealand landscape and the musical score are breathtaking, and the message that is woven into the book, is conveyed perfectly in the film…I daresay, the films conveyed the story better than the book. If you enjoy Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, then the Hobbit is a worthy successor, that I would highly recommend.
© 2022 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.