I dont agree with JKs views on The Hobbit being far superior to Lord of the Rings. I found the former a rather silly, prepscholic and generally pointless adventure tale whereas the latter is a genuinely major work of fantasy literature.

I adored the LotR films, have watched them many times and even went to an all-nighter, back to back 9 hour marathon screening with my kids.

I didn't expect to enjoy The Hobbit film that much and was further alarmed by lukewarm reviews and an inbuilt cynicism about splitting a slim volume into 3 near 3 hour epics.

However... I have to report to loving every second of The Hobbit. Cleverly tied in with the back to the future LotR back story; great on effects; skipping several 'silly' elements of the book (although introducing some elements I don't remember from it); some brilliant monsters (although I think they may have borrowed the Goblin King's chin from another King pictured to the left). Great cast with Sylvester McCoy as bird shit smeared Radagast The Brown (was he in the book?) particularly endearing.

See it and enjoy, my preciouses.