As I expected, the film is very excessive with battle sequences. Not so much armies versus armies, but rather a lot of one-on-one combats such as Thorin versus Azog, Tauriel versus Bolg, Legalos versus Bolg, etc. What's really disappointing is that, despite the disproportionate amount of fighting, Beorn only gets about 10 seconds of screen time, just enough time to jump off the back of an eagle, metamorphose into a bear, and tear into the battle.
This isn't the only thing that drags down the film, unfortunately. The tacked-on Tauriel/Kili romance, the tacked-on Thorin/Azog conflict, the made-up dragon sickness (which, I suppose does happen in the book, but not as overtly or named as such), and especially the unnecessary and whiny shenanigans of Alfrid (was Stephen Fry not available and that's why they killed of the Master so early?). All of these things could've been tossed out and fold in the necessary battle sequences into the previous film.
One thing that really stood out in this film, however, was the siege of Dol Guldur. Nostalgia aside, it was a lot of fun to see Saruman, Elrond, and Galadriel teaming up to kick Ringwraith and Sauron ass. My only disappointment about this sequence is that Gandalf and Radagast didn't have a more active role, but it's a small complaint. I would've also like to have seen one shot with the entire White Council standing together.
Another highlight, at the other end of the film, is Bilbo and Thorin's final scene. Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage acted their hearts out to give Thorin's death and the rough friendship between Bilbo and Thorin much gravitas and sorrow.
Even though I knew his role would be tiny, it was still a lot of fun to see Smaug again on the big screen (especially after watching his hilarious
interview with Stephen Colbert yesterday) and I quite enjoyed his verbal showdown with Bard even if it wasn't in the book.
I suppose it couldn't be a film with Legalos without Legalos somehow outbadassing himself, and in this case, running across the crumbling makeshift stone bridge. A moment of pure
Lastly, in stark contrast to
The Return of the King, the film ends rather abruptly. No funeral for Thorin, no resolution over Thranduil's and Laketown's claims, no resolution over the future of citizens of Laketown. Normally I wouldn't care much about any of those (except Thorin's funeral), but the previous films made such a huge deal over these items that the lack of resolution felt jarring. Instead, it was quick dash back to Bag End for Bilbo and Gandalf, followed by a lovely lead into
The Fellowship of the Ring.
Billy Boyd's "The Last Goodbye" is a wonderful song, but it's not quite as beautiful as "Into the West" or even "Gollum's Song," but it was still great to hear Boyd singing again, this time over
The Hobbit's own parchment drawing closing credits.
C+
For comparison (all based on the extended editions):
Fellowship of the Ring: A+
The Two Towers: A-
Return of the King: A
An Unexpected Journey: B+
The Desolation of Smaug: B
The Battle of Five Armies: C+
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