A good, enjoyable film

Rating: 8/10 (26 December 2012)

I've rated this film a 8 as it is no where near as good as the LOTR series which i rated 9/10.
I'd just like to point out as with the LOTR, I have never read The Hobbit book before I've seen the film.
If you liked LOTR then you will love this. It is very lighthearted and although the first 45 minutes does drag it is entertaining to watch. The opening scenes with Frodo and old Bilbo are an excellent touch that connects it with 'The Fellowship of the Ring' film. I've read people complaining that this film cant decide if its LOTR or The Hobbit but i fail to see how. All i can see is Peter Jackson trying to connect The Hobbit with the LOTR which works.
I went to see this in bog standard 2D 24fps and even on the standard format the visuals are breathtaking so I cant imaging what they'll look like on 48fps. Middle Earth looks AMAZING!
I don't understand why this film has been panned as much as it has by critics. If you just go to see the film as a movie goer and forget the history of the books etc then you will love this film. The action scenes are amazing and so are the characters. Gandalf is a boss man in this film though, he really shines. Great to see a 91 year old Christopher Lee back for a brief moment too.
My only gripe is that the main 'baddy' of the film is a dragon :/ but will just have to wait a year to see how Peter Jackson has done it.
All in all, a great film