It may not rise to legendary prestige, but it is a fitting, and quite spectacular end to the trilogy.

Rating: 7/10 (21 December 2014)

Like the prequel, The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies is rather long, some scenes are deliberately prolonged to buff the movie's length. However, it does so with crisper action sequences and slightly faster pace. There are many characters in play, each taking turns for their moments in spotlight. They are not the fellowship, yet they mash together sufficiently well to ensure a dynamic cast. With good choreograph and special effect, even though it's longer than it needs be, the movie will still entertain till the end.
Story revolves around a recently dragon plagued mountain, the valuable gold residing there and its strategic position attract many armies to fight for its claim, hence the title. It gives some intricacy and politic maneuvering for the backdrop, none too overly complicated and they push the plot nicely. The movie switches attention neatly between Ian McKellen, Luke Evans, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom and Martin Freeman, all capable of leading a movie on their own. The prequels often had a character running in circle, thus wasting ten to fifteen minutes. Fortunately, this one divides the scenes with more focus, while it doesn't solve the plodding pace entirely, it ensures smoother transition between characters and their respective battles.
Visual is splendidly done. Both the large scale shots as well as the skirmishes have fluid motion to them. The orcs look pretty humanoid, the slimy giants are convincing as they nudge bricks and stones in their path. Some scenes do look digitized, but considering the height difference and intricate details involved, the movie does a good job of portraying the mythical battle. It doesn't rely too much on CG for closer combat, one of the better aspects it has over the predecessors is the scale of combat differs and it simply has more. Choreograph for these scuffle look good since it mixes CG and real stunt efficiently, it also utilizes 3D effect better.
The main issue is the same persisting one, it's too thin a script to divvy into two and half hour movie. There's bound to be some padding here and there, like how Thorin wallows in the mountain or shenanigans of some comedic relief, although it's not as bad as forty five minute soiree on Bilbo's house or needless hide-and-seek with Smaug. It fortifies the playtime with incredible feat of acrobat or destruction, few of them are quiet the reminiscence of Lord of the Ring. As half of the it consists of heated battle, it manages to not be dangerously tedious.
The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies can be faulted for not delivering what it's promised on the title. It certainly could trim some of its unnecessary dawdling, yet it delivers a marvelous enough last act for The Hobbit trilogy.