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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies backdrop

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

12 December 2014English2h 24mPart 3 of The Hobbit series
AdventureFantasy
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 12 scored reviews · 1 not rated

A visually grand but narratively thin close to an uneven trilogy.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Visual spectacle and battle sequences
  • Criticised: Weak storytelling compared to LOTR

Audience

User score 7.3 out of 10 from 10 ratings, Recommended
Read 1 audience review ↓

Not streaming in India

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Critic consensus

What 12 critics are saying

Critical reception for 'The Battle of the Five Armies' is mixed-to-positive, with most reviewers acknowledging it as a satisfying, if imperfect, conclusion to the Hobbit trilogy. The film's visual spectacle, elaborate battle sequences, and technical craftsmanship were most commonly praised. A recurring criticism is that the film falls short in storytelling, with several critics noting it compares unfavorably to Jackson's original Lord of the Rings trilogy and that the broader Hobbit trilogy has been narratively inconsistent.

How the 12 scores spread

1 not-rated review isn't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (13)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    There's awe and spectacle and some nice light-hearted moments too, but it still pales in comparison to Jackson's original LOTR trilogy. For Tolkien nuts though, understandably it marks the end of an era.

  2. Top critic

    Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    'The Battle of the Five Armies' is the most interesting movie of this trilogy, in that it is the least disappointing movie of this trilogy. So if you walk into the theater expecting something as mediocre as the previous movies, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. The 3D is still terrible though.

  4. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Whatever you do, don't miss this film. And before you do, fish out the DVDs of the first two Hobbit films and watch them back-to-back. It's a treat for the senses.

  5. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    It maintains the light and often humorous spirit of the prequel franchise and still manages to remind us we are coming close to the actual LOTR with its lessons in the sins of greed and avarice.

  6. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Almost one hour of the feature's 144-minute duration is dedicated to lavish combat and a crucial turnabout in allegiance -- a rather awkward stage in the narrative -- handled with great tact by its quick-witted director.

  7. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    ...is more engaging than I expected it to be. The fight sequences and Jackson's mastery over the cinematography department has meant that we've gotten to see a fair bit of New Zealand but obviously in a made up way. It is a good finale film of a trilogy, but there a lot better ones.

  8. India Today

    Film review ·

    With this Peter Jackson's 6 film middle earth series reaches the finale...there couldn't have been an end better than this!

  9. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    It isn't quite the finale that you imagined and deserved, but it is still worth the price of an admission ticket, if only to say your final goodbyes to Middle Earth and its citizens ...

  10. Rediff

    Film review ·

    ...the most unspectacular in the series and it makes you thank your stars that it is the last one.

  11. The Navhind Times

    Film review ·

    Compared to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogy is a slight letdown primarily because it has not been sustainable from a storytelling point of view. Jackson has lived upto the challenge of using superior special effects as a creative tool.

  12. IANS

    Film review ·

    Visually, the film is stunning with visual effects and computer generated images, but again it shares the same palette of all its previous editions. The only exception here being, set in winter; the action on frozen ice adds drama and freshness to the otherwise staid output.

  13. Filmfare

    Film review ·

    The film is designed in such a way that even a non-Tolkien or LOTR fan would easily enjoy it. And there are enough nuances for true fans to make it seem like an early Christmas present. Go watch it for the visual treat even if you don't follow high fantasy… you might come back as a convert to the genre…

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

10 ratings · user score 7.3

  1. Sandeep GuptaDec 2014
    8/10

    The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. The master of his craft, Peter Jackson bring the finale of the Hobbit trilogy and as expected, he stuns with his command on visuals, cinematography and creation of memorable characters and action set-pieces. Movie starts right in the middle of action where last movie's star Smaug the dragon is furious and firing all over the city. As movie moves forward, the danger keeps on rising and you are well treated with slick one hour long CGI based detailed battle of the five armies. This is shortest and most action oriented movie among all middle earth movies so there is not a single dull moment. You might find it underwhelming when compared to LOTR trilogy but it is still a satisfying finale. I am going with fantastic 8 out of 10 for The Hobbit 3. If you are not a fan, you will be entertained and if you are a fan then you will feel sad because the saga of middle earth movies spanned over 13 years has come to an end.

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