Well, it could have been worse...

Rating: 5/10 (22 December 2012)

We waited until this weekend to see "The Hobbit", to let the crowds die down, so what I'm saying has probably already been said by several others. Still, let me put in my two cents' worth...
Once again Peter Jackson has felt compelled to repaint the smile on the Mona Lisa, just as he did with the LOTR movies. The movie best succeeds when it sticks to the book, and falters when it wanders away. The first hour is interminable. The appearances of Arwen and Saruman at Rivendell were superfluous (unless to set up another "Arwen, Warrior Princess" appearance in the next movie). The less said about Radagast and his rabbit-driven sleigh, the better. Finally, there were too many "deus ex machina" moments (most notably the eagles just showing up out of nowhere to rescue the dwarfs, Bilbo, and Gandalf--read the book for some much-needed context on that).
Not to say that there are not some good parts to this movie. Ian McKellen, of course, IS Gandalf. The interaction between Bilbo and Gollum is spot on. The visuals, while gimmicky at times (particularly the escape from Goblin Town), are a tour de force. (Can't wait to see what they do with Smaug.) I won't tell you not to see "The Hobbit". If you're a Middle-earth purist, try to set that aside, and despite its flaws you will still come away reasonably entertained...and wondering how they will fill the next two movies.