"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" is the third and final film in "The Hobbit" film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. It was released in 2014 and serves as the conclusion to the cinematic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit." The film follows the events that unfold after the dragon Smaug is unleashed upon the people of Lake-town.
The central focus of "The Battle of the Five Armies" is the eponymous battle, a large-scale conflict involving Dwarves, Men, Elves, Orcs, and Eagles near the Lonely Mountain. The battle is sparked by various factions vying for control of the treasure within the mountain, particularly the Arkenstone, a gem of great significance. Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Dwarves, becomes increasingly consumed by greed and paranoia, straining alliances with Men and Elves.
Key events in the film include the arrival of the Orc armies led by Azog the Defiler, the intervention of the Eagles, and the resolution of the conflicts among the various races. The film also ties up the character arcs for Bilbo Baggins and other key characters.
Similar to the previous films in the trilogy, "The Battle of the Five Armies" faced criticism for certain deviations from the source material and the expansion of the narrative to create a more extensive cinematic experience. However, it also received praise for its visual effects, action sequences, and the performances of the cast.
While the film adaptation takes liberties with the plot and characters, it remains a part of the broader Middle-earth film franchise and is often watched by fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's work.