More beautiful and exciting that I could have imaginedn

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2013)

Was shocked anyone who likes LOTR would not like this as is evident in some of the reviews, but I am heartened that the overwhelming majority thought highly of this movie. Perhaps if you had a very pre-conceived idea about what you thought the movie should be you might be disappointed but you can never really go to any movie with that attitude (unless you directed it I guess).
I thought the story of the Hobbit (as compared to the LOTR) would not make for quite so spectacular movie but I totally underestimated Peter Jackson and his crew. They turned this lovely little story into a grand and exciting saga with a perfect combination of familiar themes coupled with enough new stuff to make this truly a worthy successor to the LOTR trilogy. It would have been tough getting the story just right for the screen but they have certainly done it here.
I have always preferred the Hobbit's story a bit better that the LOTR trilogy as I felt it focuses more on the little people (figuratively and literally) and relies less on the melodramitic kings and queens and the end of the world stuff you usually get with most fantasy. I find this more interesting. Just a rollicking grand adventure.
Gives us something to look forward to at the end of each year again.