So that's it. No more Gandalf, no more hobbits or orcs or elves, and no more unlikely heroes from Hobbiton. Peter Jackson's long expected journey which began with an idea of adaptation in 1995 has come to an end, and until someone inevitably suggests that making a prequel to the Lord Of The Rings that focuses on the Rings Of Power and Sauron's first rise to power (not long surely), the cinematic love affair with Middle Earth is done. While it's probably no surprise to say it, The Hobbit trilogy as a whole is simply not as good as The Lord Of The Rings: but then how could it be? The story was never quite as compelling, the epicness never quite as pronounced (no matter how far Jackson attempted to push it) and the stakes simply weren't as high. But the films have some moments that do genuinely deserve to be cherished, including a pitch perfect performance by Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. There are flaws - and lots of them - but you really get the sense that The Battle Of Five Armies will be a particularly divisive film, either scoring fanboy perfect scores (whether you like it or not) or being seen for what it is: a valiant, if a little wayward effort. But rather than just offering a review, it feels appropriate to go through the really big creative decisions in more detail. Obviously significant spoilers will follow.
