Dark and epic ‘The Hobbit’ premieres in London

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

‘The Hobbit’ finale will appear in cinemas around the world on Dec 10.

Rich with special effects, the final installment of director Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” trilogy debuted in a much-anticipated premiere in London on Dec. 1.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” was filmed in 3D in a vivid 48 frames per second and the final part of a trilogy reported to be the most expensive three-part series ever made.

Based J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 book “The Hobbit,” the trilogy tells the story of Baggin’s journey with a group of dwarves to reclaim their Lonely Mountain homeland from Smaug the dragon, helped by the wizard Gandalf.

Director Jackson had originally planned to interpret the book as a two-part film, but changed his mind to make a trilogy like hugely-successful “Lord of the Rings” series, released between 2001 and 2003.

In the film, Jackson replaces the original light and humorous tone with a darker feeling and sense of danger. Working with Tolkien’s notes for inspiration, the film series also adds in storylines and characters such as the woodland elf Tauriel, played by “Lost” star Evangeline Lilly, who did not appear in the original book.

“For Tolkien himself, the novel as published did not tell the whole story,” said the production notes for the film, referring to the extensive world of Middle-earth created by Tolkien, complete with its own languages, peoples and history. The film starts with the aerial bombardment of a village by the dragon Smaug. The dragon is portrayed by British actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

The final installment will appear in cinemas around the world from Dec. 10.