An interesting add-on to LOTR. Entertaining.

Rating: 8/10 (1 April 2013)

*** Warning, this review may contain a spoiler ***
First of all, I don't consider myself a LOTR's expert or die hard know-it-all fan. I just enjoyed the first three films for its ingenuity, story telling value and special effects. When the extended version of the first three films were released in Blue Ray I bought the set and revisited the story again.
I agree with some other reviews that at times the movie looks too cartoonish, but in general it's an entertaining add-on to the LOTR franchise.
The introduction of the dwarfs at the beginning is very original and enjoyable. The scene around the table while they dine at Bilbo's table is simply too long. I would have deleted some of those shots to make the story more dynamic at the beginning. The other scene that I would have deleted entirely is that of the Trolls.
My favorite scene is that of Gandalf and Galadriel having their telepathic conversation in Rivendell.
The movie is very entertaining in general, especially after the first hour, and the end sets the tone for what's next. in my view it features more adventure than torment (at times the LOTR movies were too agonizing.)