Behold the new full trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES has a lot to live up to since RETURN OF THE KING was the third installment of THE LORD OF THE RINGS and that film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. While THE HOBBIT films have not been quite Best Picture worthy, I have no doubt that Peter Jackson plans to make this film the defining link between J.R.R. Tolkien‘s works on the big screen.

After waiting a year since THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, we now have our first full look at the trailer for THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES and it showcases not just the immediate continuation of Smaug’s attack on Lake-town but the titular battle that will change the destinies for all characters involved. Jackson may have relied more heavily on CGI for this trilogy, but the guy certainly still knows how to choreograph and film a massive war sequence.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo’s frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

Whether THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES will bring this trilogy to a satisfactory close remains to be seen. I just hope that the final hour of the film is not full of a dozen fake-out endings like he did with RETURN OF THE KING. THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES opens in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D theaters on December 17th 2014.