The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
dir. Peter Jackson (2014)
Having sketched out an epic adventure by way of join-the-dots, humour-laced escapades, Jackson makes a mess of the final picture, breaking his pencil lead on manufactured pathos and scribbled-mess battle scenes less credible than a giant origami horse with built-in rectal flamethrower.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
dir. Peter Jackson (2013)
Not a bad film, but much of what happens is filler, plumping out an already-plumped story. Worth watching, if only for Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel (a non-Tolkien character but a welcome addition), and Benedict Cumberbatch voicing Smaug (a highlight in all respects).
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
dir. Peter Jackson (2012)
While some of the action scenes engender a real sense of peril, much of the film seems overstuffed with epic ‘lull’ (not to mention dwarf protagonists and musical bestirment). Martin Freeman is excellent. Sylvester McCoy makes the most of limited screen time.