10 Ways ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy Hasn’t Aged Well

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When the “Hobbit” movie trilogy premiered in cinemas, I was excited to revisit Middle-earth. The enchanting universe created by J.R.R. Tolkien, skillfully brought to the screen by Peter Jackson’s direction, seemed set to offer an adventure as grand as “The Lord of the Rings.” However, looking back, those films don’t seem quite as impressive as I had initially anticipated.

The series consisting of the movies ‘The Hobbit: An Unforeseen Voyage’ (2012), ‘The Hobbit: Defilement of Smaug’ (2013), and ‘The Hobbit: War of Five Realms’ (2014) faces challenges due to certain creative decisions. Ranging from overly extended narratives to outdated visuals, here are ten reasons why this trilogy has not gracefully withstood the test of time.

Overuse of CGI in Key Scenes

In modern viewing, the overuse of computer-generated imagery (CGI), particularly during action scenes in ‘The Hobbit’, seems awkward compared to the balanced use of practical effects and digital work in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Unfortunately, ‘The Hobbit’s’ excessive reliance on green screens for sequences like the goblin chase in ‘An Unexpected Journey’ can make these moments appear overly cartoonish.

Making this decision takes away the tangible authenticity that gave Middle-earth a sense of life, as modern viewers, accustomed to flawless effects in more recent movies, often spot the plastic veneer, particularly during chaotic battle sequences.

Weak Character Arcs for Supporting Cast

In the character development department, figures such as Bard and Thranduil seem to receive less attention. For instance, Bard, portrayed by Luke Evans, appears more like a story tool instead of a well-rounded protagonist. He lacks significant complexity beyond his dragon-slaying role, leaving his character rather shallow.

Thranduil’s cool exterior doesn’t carry as much emotional depth as characters like Elrond from Tolkien’s elven world. With less detailed histories and striking experiences, they tend to become less memorable than the colorful cast in ‘The Lord of the Rings.’

Unnecessary Love Triangle

In a more relaxed and conversational style: It seems like the relationship among Kili, Tauriel, and Legolas in these movies feels unnatural and doesn’t quite fit within the storyline. The romantic connection between Evangeline Lilly’s character, Tauriel, and Kili appears to lack the necessary chemistry and tends to divert attention away from the primary plotline.

As a devoted fan, I find myself occasionally taken aback by certain subplots that seem more focused on extending runtime rather than enhancing depth. These elements, in my opinion, sometimes disrupt the tone Tolkien so meticulously crafted. Even casual viewers, it seems, can pick up on this studio-mandated addition aimed at broadening appeal.

Pacing Issues in the Second Film

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must admit that ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ sometimes lagged for me, particularly during some prolonged scenes such as the barrel escape, which seemed overly expanded and lost its initial charm. Although these action-packed sequences were entertaining initially, they tended to overshadow the subtler character moments that could have added depth and anchored the storyline more effectively.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself grappling with the delicate dance between grandiose visuals and seamless storytelling in this movie. Upon multiple viewings, it seems that the balance leans more towards spectacle, leaving me feeling weary instead of fully immersed. In contrast to the taut pacing of contemporary fantasy epics, this middle installment appears somewhat uneven in its narrative flow.

Overemphasis on Action Over Story

In this rephrased version, the trilogy emphasizes grandiose battles more than Tolkien’s thoughtful storytelling. Scenes such as the stone giants in ‘An Unexpected Journey’ or the continuous orc fights in ‘Battle of the Five Armies’ tend to overshadow Bilbo’s character development and growth.

These films seem to prioritize a typical blockbuster style over staying true to Tolkien’s adaptations. The subtle bravery of Bilbo often gets overshadowed by excessive action, which can feel outdated compared to the nuanced characters found in modern fantasy stories.

Stretched Narrative Across Three Films

In my humble opinion as a film critic, taking a slender novel and expanding it into three movies was an ambitious yet imperfect decision. The narrative, at times, seems overly extended with additional storylines that feel more like excess baggage rather than valuable additions to the main saga. For instance, the arc involving Gandalf and the Necromancer unnecessarily lengthens the runtime without contributing significantly to the heart of the storyline.

This choice gives a more lavish feel to the trilogy, contrasting with the concentrated narrative of ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ Contemporary audiences, accustomed to more compact storylines, frequently find the expansive structure overly taxing.

Inconsistent Tone Across the Trilogy

The movies oscillate between playful folklore and somber saga, resulting in an inconsistent mood. ‘An Unforeseen Voyage’ initially presents a cheerful tone, yet ‘The Battle of the Five Armies’ plunges into intense, vast warfare that seems disjointed.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must admit that the inconsistencies in this trilogy really throw me off. I was hoping for a seamless, harmonious feel throughout the series, but it seems that the tones don’t quite align consistently. This dissonance makes the trilogy feel less eternal and timeless compared to its predecessor.

Underuse of Bilbo Baggins

In Martin Freeman’s portrayal of Bilbo Baggins, there’s a captivating moment, but he frequently finds himself overshadowed by other characters and events. Despite the book being primarily about his personal journey and metamorphosis, the films tend to prioritize the dwarves, orcs, and side quests over him.

From my perspective, in retrospect, I feel that the films could have maintained a stronger focus on Bilbo’s personal journey. His charisma truly adds depth to the subtler scenes, making it more immersive for me if he had been more central throughout.

Dated Visual Effects in Battles

In the pivotal fights, particularly during ‘The Battle of the Five Armies,’ there’s a noticeable shift toward computer-generated imagery (CGI) for the armies, which may appear somewhat less realistic compared to today’s standards. The orc swarms and digital creatures fall short in terms of the heft that practical effects delivered in previous adaptations of Tolkien’s works.

Today’s box office hits blend special effects more smoothly, giving the impression that some sequences hark back to the filmmaking techniques of the mid-2010s. Spectacles that were previously awe-inspiring now seem empty or lacking substance.

Lack of Memorable New Characters

Instead of ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ where characters such as Aragorn and Gimli were brought to life, The Hobbit features fewer memorable new additions. Characters like Bombur and Bofur from the dwarf group seem indistinguishable, with little unique personality traits.

Instead of adding depth and memorability like the well-crafted characters from the original trilogy, these new additions seem to fade into obscurity, potentially diminishing the enduring impact of the series. The newly introduced figures lack the ability to make a lasting impression, which may negatively affect the legacy of the trilogy.

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2025-07-19 21:16