The Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition - Reaction
WARNING: Major spoilers for The Battle of the Five Armies (obviously).
Right out of the gate, I have to bring up how THERE WERE NO NEW FILI SCENES. Okay, yes, he was in some of the new scenes, but he featured in exactly none of them, so they don't count. I mean, jfc, even at his OWN FUNERAL he was playing second fiddle to Kili. I love Kili, I do, but HE'S NOT THE ONLY HEIR OF DURIN.
Okay, I got that off my chest, so now I can get more into the positive stuff. For a bit. Before inevitably returning to Fili. Just bear with me.
One of the main criticisms for the theatrical edition of TBOTFA was there wasn't a lot of scenes with the Company during the Battle. Well, let me tell you that the extended edition fixed that in spades. We got some great scenes with the dwarves and it was beautiful and awesome, as the dwarves are. Bofur and his family got some great scenes (arguably the most and the best added scenes during the Battle, not including a scene I'm bringing up later).
Just, oh my god, all the new scenes we got during the Battle were so great! Especially with the dwarves, all of them from the Company to Dain's army. Seriously, I didn't think Dain and his dwarves could be anymore awesome than they were, but I was so wrong. They were such badasses. (Also: more Thranduil insults from Dain, which was definitely necessary and perfect.)
One of the most significant scenes that was added was the fight up to Ravenhill made by Balin, Dwalin, Fili, and Kili -yes, Balin- a.k.a. The Chariot Scene. Thorin's best fighters indeed. This is where the R-rating comes in, with plenty of bloody beheadings and whatnots. It was just beautiful and so awesome. Balin was fantastic, Dwalin was great...
This is one of the new scenes that had Fili, but he was HARDLY IN IT!!! So, there's the bit in the center where the driver (Balin) sits, then there's a channel on either side where the others stood with their swords and such, with Kili and Dwalin on one side and Fili by himself on the other. And while it's awesome that this implies that Fili can hold his own, it's not like they showed it! No, Kili gets to be special and badass, but Fili isn't featured at all! How is that fair? Dwalin, of course, because he's got such comedic value, but, come on, Fili. Such a waste, I can't even.
So, one of the last significant scenes that was added was the scene that a lot of people thought should warrant the R-rating: Alfrid's death. Well, I can tell you that it was there, it exists, but that's it. Good lord, not even Alfrid deserved to go out like that, IMO. I don't care if he's a selfish asshole who deserved whatever was coming to him, that is a horrific way to die.
There was also a scene where we see Radagast give Gandalf his staff and also a longer scene with Beorn causing mayhem, which was cool.
Another big scene, which I kind of forgot to anticipate, but was so happy to see was a scene that took place right when Bilbo was preparing to descend down the gates to give the Arkenstone to Bard and Thranduil, and Bofur shows up to talk to Bilbo. Bilbo and Bofur's relationship remains one of my favorite friendships in the Hobbit trilogy and this scene was so great to have. Ugh, Bofur, he's such a sweetheart and he cares about everyone (especially Bilbo) so fucking much I could cry (and I did, obviously).
Finally, we come to the most anticipated scene of the film: the funeral. It was as devastating and heartbreaking as I was expecting it to be and I'm content with it (the lack of Fili not-withstanding). There are no words to describe the emotions in the theater at that moment, but I will tell you that I did not feel ashamed of making a little noise as I cried because I could hear other people sniffling and holding back sobs, so I was definitely not alone.
One thing I love about seeing movies in theaters, especially ones like The Hobbit, is the atmosphere in the theater. Especially for this one, it being the extended edition that you'd only know about if you were looking for it online, because everyone that was there were fans of the series and were invested in it. Every person in there laughed, gasped, clapped, and cried without abandon and I loved it so much. That feeling of community is the reason I go to movies in theaters (instead of waiting to rent it, Mom).
The most heartwarming moment of the whole experience, though, was when the whole audience applauded for Christopher Lee when his nameplate came up in the credits. Rest in peace, Christopher Lee, you will always be one of the best actors and best men I've had the privilege of seeing onscreen. Your work will live on and be loved for generations to come and you will never be forgotten.
In the end, I still enjoyed The Battle of the Five Armies immensely and am looking forward to its release on Blue-Ray November 17th, no matter how much it will break my heart every single time I watch it. This movie requires recovery time after watching it, it really does.
If I were to rate this film with a number, I would personally give it a 7.5/10 - has some flaws, but is generally enjoyable and will also break your heart in the best ways. Richard Armitage deserves more than one award for his performance as Thorin, I will go to the grave with this.
Right out of the gate, I have to bring up how THERE WERE NO NEW FILI SCENES. Okay, yes, he was in some of the new scenes, but he featured in exactly none of them, so they don't count. I mean, jfc, even at his OWN FUNERAL he was playing second fiddle to Kili. I love Kili, I do, but HE'S NOT THE ONLY HEIR OF DURIN.
Okay, I got that off my chest, so now I can get more into the positive stuff. For a bit. Before inevitably returning to Fili. Just bear with me.
One of the main criticisms for the theatrical edition of TBOTFA was there wasn't a lot of scenes with the Company during the Battle. Well, let me tell you that the extended edition fixed that in spades. We got some great scenes with the dwarves and it was beautiful and awesome, as the dwarves are. Bofur and his family got some great scenes (arguably the most and the best added scenes during the Battle, not including a scene I'm bringing up later).
Just, oh my god, all the new scenes we got during the Battle were so great! Especially with the dwarves, all of them from the Company to Dain's army. Seriously, I didn't think Dain and his dwarves could be anymore awesome than they were, but I was so wrong. They were such badasses. (Also: more Thranduil insults from Dain, which was definitely necessary and perfect.)
One of the most significant scenes that was added was the fight up to Ravenhill made by Balin, Dwalin, Fili, and Kili -yes, Balin- a.k.a. The Chariot Scene. Thorin's best fighters indeed. This is where the R-rating comes in, with plenty of bloody beheadings and whatnots. It was just beautiful and so awesome. Balin was fantastic, Dwalin was great...
This is one of the new scenes that had Fili, but he was HARDLY IN IT!!! So, there's the bit in the center where the driver (Balin) sits, then there's a channel on either side where the others stood with their swords and such, with Kili and Dwalin on one side and Fili by himself on the other. And while it's awesome that this implies that Fili can hold his own, it's not like they showed it! No, Kili gets to be special and badass, but Fili isn't featured at all! How is that fair? Dwalin, of course, because he's got such comedic value, but, come on, Fili. Such a waste, I can't even.
So, one of the last significant scenes that was added was the scene that a lot of people thought should warrant the R-rating: Alfrid's death. Well, I can tell you that it was there, it exists, but that's it. Good lord, not even Alfrid deserved to go out like that, IMO. I don't care if he's a selfish asshole who deserved whatever was coming to him, that is a horrific way to die.
There was also a scene where we see Radagast give Gandalf his staff and also a longer scene with Beorn causing mayhem, which was cool.
Another big scene, which I kind of forgot to anticipate, but was so happy to see was a scene that took place right when Bilbo was preparing to descend down the gates to give the Arkenstone to Bard and Thranduil, and Bofur shows up to talk to Bilbo. Bilbo and Bofur's relationship remains one of my favorite friendships in the Hobbit trilogy and this scene was so great to have. Ugh, Bofur, he's such a sweetheart and he cares about everyone (especially Bilbo) so fucking much I could cry (and I did, obviously).
Finally, we come to the most anticipated scene of the film: the funeral. It was as devastating and heartbreaking as I was expecting it to be and I'm content with it (the lack of Fili not-withstanding). There are no words to describe the emotions in the theater at that moment, but I will tell you that I did not feel ashamed of making a little noise as I cried because I could hear other people sniffling and holding back sobs, so I was definitely not alone.
One thing I love about seeing movies in theaters, especially ones like The Hobbit, is the atmosphere in the theater. Especially for this one, it being the extended edition that you'd only know about if you were looking for it online, because everyone that was there were fans of the series and were invested in it. Every person in there laughed, gasped, clapped, and cried without abandon and I loved it so much. That feeling of community is the reason I go to movies in theaters (instead of waiting to rent it, Mom).
The most heartwarming moment of the whole experience, though, was when the whole audience applauded for Christopher Lee when his nameplate came up in the credits. Rest in peace, Christopher Lee, you will always be one of the best actors and best men I've had the privilege of seeing onscreen. Your work will live on and be loved for generations to come and you will never be forgotten.
In the end, I still enjoyed The Battle of the Five Armies immensely and am looking forward to its release on Blue-Ray November 17th, no matter how much it will break my heart every single time I watch it. This movie requires recovery time after watching it, it really does.
If I were to rate this film with a number, I would personally give it a 7.5/10 - has some flaws, but is generally enjoyable and will also break your heart in the best ways. Richard Armitage deserves more than one award for his performance as Thorin, I will go to the grave with this.