Too long, what have they done to this story?

Rating: 4/10 (7 January 2013)

Pretty sets - Bilbo's house is brilliant, and who would not want to live there? The biggest problem with this is it is way too long. The joy of the book is that it is a perfectly self contained adventure. The problem here is that there is more detail than needed and it even introduces characters that are not in the book (but conveniently appear in the cast list of LOTR)
Don't get me wrong - it's not a bad film, and the effects are first class. I just feel it's being stretched too far - 3 films for this story - you have to be kidding. The whole thing could have been done in one (admittedly long) film. Also watching it in 3d is a waste of money and spoils the film. It is already dark, and 3d glasses actually removes a load of detail. I will not be watching parts 2 & 3 (at the cinema at least)