MOST of these reviewers are seeing what this film ISN'T, not what it IS. Oh, and watch the extended version

Rating: 9/10 (24 April 2016)

Well, technically ALL the Hobbit movies go with the title of this review, but I'm reviewing only this movie right now...
I have read many reviews on here, and have seen an insane amount of 1 out of 10 star reviews, and I notice that MOST of these reviewers seem to be hating on this film for what it ISN'T, not what it is IS. Most of the complaints of what it ISN'T is naturally based on the Hobbit book itself with many added things that were not stated in the book or even some changes of certain deaths or aspects. Let me just say, that I too am a Tolkien fanatic. I have read all of his Middle-Earth books and even study them as if they were a subject in school, and I still love these films (as well as the Lotr trilogy). But I'm going to talk about this film on it's own without comparing it to the source material, because I personally think that these should be looked at as movies first, and adaptations second.
So, to me, this is what this movie IS: ---Amazing acting. Every actor -- whether CG or not--genuinely play their roles so well. The actors in this film that stand out to me the most would have to be Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, and Evangeline Lilly.
---The CGI is not at all bad. Yes there is a lot of it used in this movie, but there is wayyy worse CGI out there. Besides, the orcs and troll designs look great. They look like intimating and different proportioned creatures and not just people in make up (not saying that's at all bad.)
---The relationship between Thorin and Bilbo was done in a believable and very emotional way.
---The romance--though not entirely necessary--was a very touching addition. It shows the beauty of it, as well as the pain.
---The drama. This is a movie that is based around one big battle and lots of deaths, so they have to be emotional. That's exactly what this movie is. The emotion may seem different from lotr because of certain ways the characters react, but the emotion of this film is based on subtly from the actor's expressions (another point to the actors.)
---The battle scenes are exciting but of course dramatic.
---The score is beautiful, intense and intense. It simply sounds amazing thanks to Howard Shore.
I loved this film. Sure it is not the best of the three, but it's a very exciting and dramatic film, like it's supposed to be! The only problem I have with the film itself is some of the comedy (Most of Alfrid's scenes) is not really that funny and seems kind of forced. And there are many things I really would have loved to see, but that is part of the whole "what it is IS and what it isn't" subject, so that doesn't count for my rating!
Oh, but like I said, check out the extended edition! It has much that the theatrical version was lacking.
Overall, Theatrical version: 8/10 Extended version: 9/10!