Couldn't ask for more!

Rating: 10/10 (28 August 2014)

It really shocks me to read so many mediocre reviews.
I think that once the third film is out, and they can all be watched in succession, people will start to fully appreciate the genius of these films.
Being a big fan of Tolkien, and having read the book, I really can't imagine a better film being made. It stays pretty true to the book, and the areas where it doesn't, seem justified. Most notably, it varies from the book in the perception of time passing. In the book, everything takes forever. The whole journey takes years, and they stop for long periods of time at every location. In the movie, everything is fast paced and exciting and there is no lull. It feels like it all happens fairly quickly, in a period of a few months of something.
I am also a big fan of Jackson's LOTR films, but I can honestly say, that I like the Hobbit films as much or more than LOTR. Elijah Wood in particular, but also Pip and Merry, always bothered me a bit. I think he is a great actor, but there is something about him that feels awkward to me. The actors in The Hobbit are all really great and well cast and I love watching them.
The movies are long, with lots packed in, great production design, and lots to look at. This gives it great re-watch-ability, and, like LOTR, I can watch these movies over and over again without getting bored. In fact, I can't think of many other films that I can watch as many times as Peter Jackson films. LOTR, The Hobbit, and King Kong are all great movies to throw on at any time. I tend to put these movies on when I'm doing something else and tune in and out.
I'm really excited for the fifth installment to come out, because I think they will all flow together very seamlessly as a whole.
I feel that these movies will truly stand the test of time, and those who criticize them now will eventually come around and realize how great they are.