Peter Jackson’s final installment of his “Hobbit” series will most likely satisfy fans, while leaving the average moviegoer a little worn out. “The Battle of the Five Armies” begins with a fight to the death between the giant talking dragon Smaug — equipped with Benedict Cumberbatch’s voice on steroids — and Luke Evans as Bard, the series most recent hero. This finale includes a greatest hits parade of beloved characters from the past including Ian McKellon (funny, I thought he died in the last movie) and Cate Blanchett as well as Christopher Lee. Bilbo Baggins weaves his way through this episode in which competing armies battle for a pile of treasure and maybe a magic ring as well. “Battle of the Five Armies” lays on the special effects and values action above all. The result doesn’t quite make itself available to casual viewers. But ardent fans will love it, and you know who you are. Does it deliver what it promises? Fan finale. Is it entertaining? For fans. Is it worth the price of admission? I think we’ve gone over this already
