On December 19, 2001, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” directed by cinematic genesis Peter Jackson was released worldwide and began the iconic trilogy that broke records and secured more awards than any other saga in film history. Second only to “Star Wars” in ticket receipts, “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was awarded more than 17 Oscars in a span of only 3 years. The three films sparked a tidal wave of popularity and quickly achieved immortality in the film world.

In 2010 rumors began to spread that Jackson was considering making a film of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original book “The Hobbit,” a book that has been an iconic work of literature since it was first published in 1937.

In 2010 Tolkien fans welcomed “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and they immediately became attached to the new Middle Earth series. With the grand success of “Unexpected Journey,” the second installment “The Desolation of Smaug” grossed more than $1 billion worldwide and left on audiences on a cliffhanger moment. That cliffhanger moment neatly paved the way for the third and final installment of the Middle Earth saga. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” charged into theaters on December 17 and has grossed more than $700 million in only several weeks.

The film itself is fantastic. From a powerful and thrilling beginning to a heartfelt and sad farewell to the wonder that is Tolkien’s writing. In seeing the film, I saw that director Jackson had not lost his touch. I felt like I was watching “The Return of the King” for the first time. In the new “Hobbit” installation, the battles, the fighting, the heroes, and the villains all contributed mightily to a must-see film that never faltered.

So much work, practice, devotion, and time were spent making these magnificent films and they are truly immortal in their own right. In an interview with The New York Times actor Christopher Lee who plays the wizard Saruman in both trilogies said “I believe these films have gained true immortality and have no equal.” Right you are, Sir Christopher! The books and films are timeless classics and are a testament to what films can truly accomplish.

“The Battle of the Five Armies” is a must see and is a defining moment during the shared time we moviegoers have spent in Middle Earth during these past 13 years. This film is the showdown between the forces of good and the legions of evil. The battle itself is a cinematic masterpiece. A whopping 45 minutes of the film is dedicated to the battle itself and it is as nail-biting and heart-racing as anything I have ever seen put on screen in my time of studying film. Tolkien’s work is a treasure and will be for a very long time. The 2014 ended and we have said “goodbye” to a lot things. The word “goodbye” means I hope to see you again. In 2014 we said our final farewell to Middle Earth and the magic that it cast upon us all. As a die-hard Tolkien fan I had to say my final goodbye to his work on screen. I smiled however, because I knew they would always be there to watch again and again and that their influence and power would never fade.