Amazing movie and loved it. HOWEVER....

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2013)

Let me say this straight off; I loved it! it was action packed, the story kept going and it didn't take too long to develop.
However, being a Middle Earth fan I loved the story (Spoilers ahead!) and Peter Jackson altered the story on a lot of points.
1: I liked that they added Tauriel. She is a fierce character and fun to watch, but then the sort of romance between her and Kili is something that I didn't like that much.
2: The orc attacks on the elves and Laketown. It makes everything a bit more interesting and gives some more tension. On the other hand there is no mention of any attack on the elves, nor Laketown.
3: Dwarfs fighting Smaug. It was epic to watch and truly thrilling, but in the books, the dwarfs don't even see Smaug. Now they have this entire fight with him was something that I kind of disliked later on.
4: Beorn. In the books he is described as a big, black-haired man. So i expected a Hagrid-sort-of-guy. It was a surprise to see him like he is now but it is still fun to watch.
The extra story with Gandalf and Radagast was something i did enjoy. It is not mentioned in the books, but it is there. Peter Jackson did look it up in the appendices and it all fits.
Despite that they altered the story (for the better or worse is up to you) on many points, I truly loved the movie and I will surely watch it again. It is a movie that goes fast enough to keep paying attention and you'll keep sitting on the edge of your seat.