The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (12A)

It’s incredible that Peter Jackson managed to make three blockbuster movies out of a not very ample sized novel.  However he has done so, and with nearly as major a series as he did with the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.
In this third and final movie, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) continues his journey with the Dwarves, and they are forced to engage in a war, to keep safe the Lonely Mountain.
Dragons, looking and acting dangerous, and magnificent old towns built especially in New Zealand for the The Hobbit set, all show off a beautiful adventure.  Along the way, Gandalf is rescued from prison and gets in on the act. 
Oh wouldn’t it be brilliant to be 10 years old again, and to really appreciate these visuals.
The love affair between dwarf, Killi (Aidan Turner) and the elf, Tauriel played by Evangeline Lily, which doesn’t feature in J.R.R. Tolkein's novel, is featured strongly in the movie. 
Ian McKellan returns as Gandalf, in this his sixth movie playing the same role, as does Orlando Bloom as Legolas.  Oscar winner, Cate Blanchett returns as Galadriel.  Other familiar faces include Sylvester McCoy (a former Dr. Who), Hugo Weaving, and Ian Holm as the older Bilbo.
The movie goes on and on, but with your 3D glasses, it’s worth the two and a half hour effort.

David Flynn