By Renee’ Collins
Rating: 4 (Out of 5 Reels)
Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the terrifying Smaug from acquiring a kingdom of treasure and obliterating all of Middle-Earth (IMDB).
Having seen the 1978 animated version of The Lord of the Rings many including myself were excited when director Peter Jackson decided to not only remake the movie but one for each book using today’s high-end and seamless computer generated technology. Having now seen all three Rings films and both Hobbit films most will want to see how it will all end for Bilbo Baggins (Morgan Freeman) and his Dwarf friends.
In this third and final installment five armies clash in battle to claim the Lonely Mountain most importantly the dwarf’s because it is their birthright forcefully taken from them by Smaug the dragon (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). As in the other films, the special effects are over the top and we are bombarded with Orcs and other menacing creatures as they kill everything in sight. It has been gratifying watching all these characters dwarfs, hobbits, elves and wizards alike as they traverse the trials of life in middle earth.
Jackson delivers the usual over the top battle scenes and thoughtful characters as in the other films. The main problem with these movies is their length. Jackson just doesn’t know how to make a point succinctly and he drones on where it is not necessary. However, once the characters grab the viewer it is hard not to get involved with their plight. This last installment is two and a half hours long and definitely is worth a look to complete the trilogy experience. Maybe seeing these films it will make people want to read the book to see just how much Jackson embellished on the story. Seeing this film in 3D is a good idea.