Let all those who doubted us, rue this day!

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2014)

SPOILERS.
Phenomenal! Sensational! Loved it! I was exhausted by the end due to painstaking details, non-stop death, and loss of beloved characters, but I loved it! Kudos to Peter Jackson, for his brilliant mind, creativity, and nigh to supernatural capacity to select actors who fit the bill for their respective roles. Shame on you people, who dislike this film because your life has no honor, no integrity, no moral values and you see these values and principles contained in this movie and it ticks you off. America the nation of shifting values, and shame on those who have mentally slammed the movie, well before watching it, your reviews mean nothing, just bias and hogwash. Shame on Hollywood for snubbing this film, this prequel, that's insanity, even with the number of quality films this year. It's like this...LeBron has won so many MVP's, voters start looking for another less qualified candidate, it's human nature to ignore talent, after a while. I mean how many of you are excited for three more of the Star Wars films, people get bored regardless of how well made the film is. And those of you who think Peter Jackson didn't give this Trilogy, as much effort as his previous Trilogy are delusional. At the end of this last movie in interviews, PJ looked so tired, I was afraid he was going to have a heart attack. The man is loaded with cash, more than he could ever spend, so this was about legacy, his legacy, the last thing he ever wanted was for this trilogy to damage the perception of his original LOTR trilogy. He was so afraid of this, he was rather reluctant to do the Hobbit and was the back-up, but everything happens for a reason, and know one else on earth could have done the Hobbit series justice. Another tidbit of psychology, I'm not saying Hobbit is better than Lord of the Rings, because it fell JUST short, taken as a three film set in my opinion, but in fairness, by Lord of the Rings obtaining LEGENDARY STATUS, globally and nationally, and having stewed in that glory for more than a decade, before the Hobbit came around, gave LOTR unrealistic and untruthful advantages. Just swap the places of Hobbit and LOTR, and see what would've happened in chronology. Did I hear the word, UNDERRATED, (for whichever trilogy came last), yes I did. However, I believe these biased perceptions, will erode with time, and true north will be discovered and each trilogy will have a fair and just perception, time levels the playing field for many under-appreciated things, including scientific discovery. I predict this gap will close over the next 5 years or so in viewers minds, but that even so, the Hobbit as splendid as it is will still fall a bit short, in my mind.
Having said that how much stronger is LOTR now that it has it has the Hobbit series, MUCH STRONGER, due in large part to Peter Jackson masterfully blending these stories together, mimicking one another in some respects, similar musical themes, similar characters etc. Oh you are thinking CGI! In ten years you'll love it, and consider the graphics in LOTR as inferior, my how time brings the truth forth, mark my words.
I want to share with you, some memories that for me personally, MOVED me emotionally. Scene with Smaug, Bard and Bain, With Bard slaying Smaug, and watching Smaug fly off in utter horror, at the realization he was going to die at the hands of those he was mocking. In some twisted way I was sad to see Smaug die, because he was so utterly charismatic in his agenda, which is miraculous considering he's a CGI character. Legolas deftly finishing off Azog's spawn (son), in a stage of both horror and rage, in a state of great personal danger to himself and those whom he loved. Kili's rage! Thorin's rage, and the manner in which he slew Azog, and the manner of both their deaths. The helplessness of Tauriel (yes I dare mention her) as she watched her "crush" die in front of her helpless eyes. Tranduil's brief conversation with Tauriel following the death of Kili. Bilbo's reaction and Thorin's final words as he passed away. Thorin and Kili's forehead to forehead moment, as they showed pride in the line of Durin. The torment of Thorin that lead up to him admitting to himself that he was "losing it" and his decision to help Dain fight Sauron's hoards outside the walls of Erebor, with Dain's warriors dropping like flies. I could go on and on and on.
I was drained by the end of the movie, due to all the emotion and violence, but after a night's sleep I realized why...the movie is insanely good! This is the final thing I'd like to say, which was better the Star Wars prequel, or the Lord of the Rings prequel? Which prequel made the ORIGINAL Trilogy stronger? I rest my case.