The first film in The Hobbit trilogy, An Unexpected Journey, was released in December 2012. The film follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is recruited by the wizard Gandalf to assist a group of dwarves on their quest to reclaim their home from a dragon named Smaug. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide, and was praised for its visual effects and the performances of its cast.
The second film in the series, The Desolation of Smaug, was released in December 2013. The film picks up where the first film left off and follows the continued journey of Bilbo and the dwarves as they head towards the Lonely Mountain. The film also introduces a new character, Tauriel, played by Evangeline Lilly, who is a member of the elven guard. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $960 million worldwide, but received mixed reviews from critics.
The final film in The Hobbit trilogy, The Battle of the Five Armies, was released in December 2014. The film concludes the journey of Bilbo and the dwarves as they engage in a battle against the forces of Sauron and the dragon Smaug. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $956 million worldwide, but received mixed reviews from critics.
The Hobbit trilogy features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, and Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug. The trilogy also features appearances by actors from the Lord of the Rings film series, including Cate Blanchett as Galadriel and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins.
The Hobbit film series has had a significant impact on popular culture. The series has inspired a new generation of fans to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels and has also led to the creation of a new theme park attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood called “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” which features a recreation of the town of Hogsmeade.
Despite the commercial success of The Hobbit trilogy, the films have been criticized for their length and their departures from the source material. Many fans of the original book have taken issue with the addition of characters and plotlines that were not in the book, and some have accused the filmmakers of trying to stretch out the story to match the epic length of the Lord of the Rings films.
In conclusion, The Hobbit film series is a trilogy of epic fantasy adventure films that have had a major impact on popular culture. The films feature an ensemble cast of talented actors, stunning visual effects, and exciting action sequences. While the films have been criticized for their departures from the source material and their length, they have still managed to entertain and inspire a new generation of fans. Whether you are a fan of the original book or a newcomer to the world of Middle-earth, The Hobbit film series is a must-see for any fan of epic fantasy.