Peter Jackson has done it......A fitting finale to a legendary saga

Rating: 10/10 (1 December 2014)

I must admit that when I saw "An Unexpected Journey" I was disappointed. It is probably one of my least favourite movies. It was then that I thought that Peter Jackson had lost his touch. But I realised how awfully wrong I was when I saw "The Desolation of Smaug". It was an incredibly enjoyable movie and became one of my favourites in the middle-earth saga. The Desolation of Smaug ended on a cliffhanger when Smaug flies to lake town to destroy everything. So, when the movie ended, I thought whether I would be able to wait another year for the finale or not.
When I entered the theatre, it was with high-expectations though I was a little put down due to the fact that the running time of the movie is 144 Mins. The movie started where the previous installment had ended. Scenes of epic destruction and fire in the lake-town are brilliantly shot. I must say that 3D is somehow a hindrance, though there are some moments where 3D adds magic to the movie, but also at some places it fails to be effective.So here we are, Bard kills Smaug with the Black Arrow but lake-town is completely destroyed. Thorin takes shelter in Erebor and refuses to pay any heed to the troubles of the men of lake- town. Also, Gandalf is rescued not by giant eagles, but surprisingly by Lady Galadriel, Saruman and Lord Elrond. On the other hand, Bilbo smuggles the Arkenstone out of Erebor and gives to Bard. He asks him to use the stone to negotiate with Thorin. Then there is a small surprise, I don't want to disclose it at the moment and we move into the 35-40 min long battle which is surprisingly good. I think that if Peter Jackson wasn't the director, this battle would not work because only he can shoot the war in such a way that is both effective and jumpy. Also some imp main characters die and this adds an emotional depth to the movie.
The battle leaves us on the corner of our seats and finally the movie ends with Bilbo arriving back in Shire, also with a few shots of Ejiah Wood. So, the ques arises " Is the movie good?" You bet it is. It is one of the best blockbusters of the year and in the winter category might stand second only to Interstellar.
Martin Freeman has done excellent work as Bilbo Baggins and shown us that his acting talents are not limited only to Sherlock. Ian Mckellen is refreshingly good as Gandalf but Evangeline Lilly and Benedict cumberbatch's voice-over steals the movie. Though it is the shortest movie in the series, it is enough, satisfactory and not remotely boring. I am looking forward to watch the movie once again. Believe me folks this is worth your bucks. It is not just a movie, it is a cinematic experience even non-hobbit fans will enjoy. Highly Recommended.....don't miss this one.