Ep 90. Honest Trailers - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (feat. HISHE)

In this episode of Honest Trailers, the team takes on the final installment of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy - The Battle of the Five Armies. This time, they're joined by the crew from How It Should Have Ended (HISHE), as they break down the film's many pitfalls and questionable decisions.

The trailer starts off with a familiar refrain - "from the studio that just couldn't let The Lord of the Rings go..." - as it delves into the messy narrative of The Hobbit. The film's opening scenes are parodied, with the team pointing out the awkwardness of having an army of dwarves suddenly show up in Smaug's lair, only to be thwarted by one character's inability to aim a bow.

From there, the trailer jumps around between different characters and plotlines, as it tries to make sense of the convoluted story. At one point, it's even compared to a "choose your own adventure" book, with viewers encouraged to pick their own storyline and go with that instead.

Of course, no Honest Trailer would be complete without plenty of jabs at the special effects, and The Battle of the Five Armies is no exception. The team pokes fun at everything from the overly-CGI'd battle sequences to the bizarre-looking creatures that populate the film's world. They also take aim at the film's attempts to shoehorn in references to The Lord of the Rings, including a ridiculous scene where Legolas jumps up falling rocks like they're a set of stairs.

As the trailer reaches its climax, the team turns their attention to the film's biggest flaws. They criticize the lack of character development for the main protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, and point out the many plot holes and contrivances that plague the story. They also take issue with the film's handling of the titular five armies, arguing that the battle itself is both anticlimactic and poorly choreographed.

Overall, the Honest Trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is a hilarious and definitive takedown of one of Peter Jackson's most divisive films. With the help of the HISHE crew, the Honest Trailers team manages to highlight the film's flaws while still acknowledging its standout moments. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves The Hobbit (or hates it), and a shining example of the Honest Trailers brand at its best.