Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Hobbit:  The Battle of the Five Armies

Rating 8 out of 10

I was a big fan of the Lord of the Rings movies.  Loved all three.  The Hobbit of course is the prequel to those LOR movies by director Peter Jackson.  The Battle of the Five Armies is the climax of the Hobbit trilogy with the epic battle.  I didn't read the books and have to admit even after seeing all three movies I can't say I understand it all.  I thought the Hobbit series dragged a bit yet this finale is definitely worth seeing.  I gathered six other manly men like myself and after a manly meal at my favorite watering hole we were off to the NCG theater to watch this on IMAX.

In the first two movies we have learned the evil dragon Smaug has taken control of the castle in the mountain that has everyone's gold and riches.  When the dragon is killed as it destroys a nearby town in flames the Dwarves regain control of the castle and all it's gold.  As what often happens the money corrupts and the king of the dwarves goes a little nuts.  When the humans and the elves show up at his doorstep to claim their share of the riches the king says not over their dead bodies and a terrible war is likely.  As they are about to do battle they learn there is a huge army of nasty Orcs heading their way.  The humans, elves and dwarves can join together and fight or die.

This is a show you go to for the visuals and the Battle does not disappoint.  If you liked either of the first two Hobbit movies you will love this one.  It is by far the best of the three.  Even if you have not seen the first movies this one stands well alone.  I was entertained.  We had a good time.