The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is one of my favourite trio of movies and definetly got me hooked on Middle Earth. It started an ubsession of movie sci-fi fantasy worlds that has come to include the MCU, Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Peter Jackson’s return with the Hobbit Trilogy continued my the love for Middle Earth and by extension my dream of visiting New Zealand.
6. The Battle of the Five Armies
Though the Battle of the Five Armies had an epic battle sequence, the battles were much more unrealistic and cartoony compared to the Lord of the Rings. Also much of this movie is based on the appendix from the Lord of the Rings books. This includes all the sequences with the White Council and though is nice to see some sequences seemed unnecessary.
5. The Desolation of Smaug
The desolation of Smaug is where the movies vary widely from the book. Tauriel is a movie only character and the presents of Legolas is also new though it would make sense for him to be there. The most impressive part of this movie was Smaug. The entire sequence with him and Bilbo’s interaction was very impressive.
4. The Fellowship of the Ring
This movie started off the Middle Earth craze and did an outstanding job of delivering audiences into the fantasy world of Middle Earth. A little variation between book and movie ( would have been nice to see Tom Bombidil) but overall flows very nicely and came to an ending that helps complete the movie but continue on in the overall trilogy. And of course the Moria Tomb scene and the final battle were some top notch action scenes.
3. An Unexpected Journey
The kickoff of the Hobbit trilogy really focused on the beginning and the dwarves all coming to Bag End. Also the multiple tie-in’s with the Lord of the Rings such as the trolls, the beginning sequence and of course Smeagol/Gollum. The only thing I had a problem with was the different design of the goblins.
2. The Two Towers
With three seperate stories to be following, Peter Jackson does an excellent job at not lingering on one story for to long. Also the introduction of Gollum is big and of course the Battle of Helm’s Deep. One of the best battle’s of all time. We also really start to see how talented Aragorn, Gimili and Legolas are at fighting.
1. The Return of the King
No doubt at all this is the pinnacle of movies in Middle Earth. Not only winning 11 Oscars, but earning over billion dollars usually means people like it. Featuring the best battle scene of all time by my account, nothing really comes close to this trilogy ending movie. Everything just comes together, and though the ending may be dragged out, it just gave us more time to enjoy and hope it may never end.
Brett Aulie 