The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies embodies the trilogy's worst impulses. There's no clear protagonist, the story is all climax, drama is rushed, themes are undermined, and tension is desensitized. The weightless emotions and redundant action make the film simultaneously empty and excessive, a punishing stream of commotion. Meanwhile, heroes are invulnerable, villains are hollow threats, and strategy is absent. Thus, the combat is meaningless. Thorin has an unmotivated arc and Bilbo has a nice conclusion despite being largely sidelined, but those drama bits are detached and overshadowed. Overall, The Battle of the Five Armies is an emotional misfire.
Technically, The Battle of the Five Armies is mixed. It has symbolic and complex sound, familiar musical motifs, maximized acting, and elaborate production designs (despite glossy digitization). Conversely, that extreme reliance on CGI gives everything a sterile and cartoonish sheen that sabotages immersion. Similarly, the editing lacks pace or structure, creating tedious clusters of chaos. Likewise, the cinematography consists of overstuffed images and drab monotony. Finally, the direction misguidedly emphasizes mindless spectacle over building relatability, creating a taxing experience. Therefore, The Battle of the Five Armies is an unrewarding chore.
Writing: 4/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 4/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 4/10
Overall Score: 6.1/10
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