Good in parts, but overblown CGI effects and lack of empathy ruins it.

Rating: 3/10 (10 January 2013)

It had good parts. I enjoyed Martin Freeman's performance in the earlier part of the movie, and the earlier part of the movie in general - because it did play to human interest, but this rapidly evaporated.
CGI very much took over as the movie went on, and on an overwhelming scale. It's like watch an action movie with lots of explosions - after so many one ceases to care any more. There was also a lack of reality (yes, I know it is fantasy!). If a character can harmed by a sword cut then they definitely wouldn't survive multiple falls down cliff faces and into bottomless chasms.
On many occasions the CGI just didn't look right. Gollum, when he appeared, reminded me more of a TV commercial character in the way every second was filled with a movement or facial expression. Likewise with some other characters. 10/10 for effort - this is close to as good as it gets - there is just far, far too much. The canvas is very overworked.
Lastly, too much dialog. Characters rarely stopped jabbering, and it didn't do anything for me in adding enjoyment or plot development.
Sorry, but I just didn't buy this. To balance things out, not a 'bad' movie - I'd happily watch it again, perhaps two or three times, but ultimately forgettable. My wife, incidentally, liked it, and the twelve year old neighbors daughter we took loved it!