Prequel to LOTR trilogy, the beginning of Bilbo's Tale.

Rating: 8/10 (27 December 2012)

I really had high expectations for this movie, which probably was the problem. It is a great movie, awesome visuals and entertaining dialogue/storyline. Yet, overall when it ended it wasn't epic. I wondered how they managed only to do that much in the 2.5hrs.
Really, LOTR fans will enjoy it no matter what (I did), but I think with all the hype created, expectations got too high and thus we are left craving more...and not in the good way. It does keep the tone of the book well, I thought, and manages a great tie-in (although avid trilogy buffs may notice a discrepancy in some details *hint*).
Worth seeing, splurge for 3D. Just keep in mind you'll not be as blown away as you thought.