Can't believe nobody has written anything about it yet on the site! I saw it last weekend and thought it was very entertaining. It was a little long at times, but overall I was just loving it. At least they didn't rush things, as happens so often in films trying to keep to the time-limit.
The tone was lighter than LOTR, but this is not a kids' movie. It's for adults who can still connect to the feeling they got when first reading the book.

This is not the Hobbit as Tolkien wrote it, but I don't really care. As long as they don't alter the book to resemble the movie, I'm fine with the additions. What they added, they added to make this a more exciting story. If they can keep up this quality, splitting the book into three films is justified.

Let me know what you guys thought! Do you agree with me? Are there things you wish they hadn't done? Please share.

Im too tired to write out a full explanation but I agree with everything you said.

Still a wicked movie.

Hoping to go see it over the holidays.

Haven't seen it yet, but I'm hoping to very soon. Almerin, what's your take on the movie, would it be ok for a 11-year old girl or is it too violent?

Wha'cha mean three movies?

Sounds like I'll have to wait for the DVD's.

That's a tough call, Pekka. It depends on what she can take.

Did she see LOTR? If so, she'll love the Hobbit. If she hasn't, and you don't think she can take LOTR, don't take her. The violence is just as harsh. There's hardly any blood, but there's death, and the violence that does happen is perhaps even a little heavier.

So I think you should judge how screamish she is by what movies she has seen. I think, 13 would be a good age, but kids nowadays can take more than we did at the same age.

Watched it, thoroughly enjoyed it, better then LOtR (But not by much)

I know reviews have said that it's a bit slow in places, and although it could be accused of that near the start I think it's paced just about right.

Saw it last night and the pacing was excellent and the action outstanding!

Thanks, Almerin. Exactly what I thought. No she hasn't seen the LotR as those are rated K-15 (K= forbidden for kids under) in Finland. And I personally think the violence is quite rough in LotR. And they might be quite scary too for her. Actually she's only seen the Star Wars movies this year or episodes 4-6 and 1-2.

Just saw the Hobbit and I have to say that I loved the movie. I did not find it slow at any point. I thought the additions that PJ made were actually well thought out.

He seems to be setting up the battle of Dol Guldur, which I think would be in the third movie.

Well, I'm rereading the book. I have the large 1984 edition illustrated by Michael Hague.

Actually I bought for my son a few years ago and borrowed it to read again. I really like Hague's illustrations.

I watched the movie a couple of weeks ago, and yes it is enjoyable. But I falls some way short of LotR in my opinion.

The film is incredibly and unnecessarily long. It would have helped if a strong producer had been on hand to cut the movie by 30-40 minutes. As it is there's a lot of fluff and points where the movie is missing a strong, connecting narrative. This seemed particularly weird to me given that the book is relatively small and very simply written.

Secondly, and this isn't Peter Jackson's fault, but the film is missing a bit of menace. It's hard to get too worked up by a big bad orc and a nasty goblin when we've seen Balrogs, Ringwraiths and the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

I saw it this weekend, and loved it. Some silly moments - to be expected, since they were in the book. Some really over the top moments (the bridge in the goblin city sticks out). But really well done, I thought.

Saw it, Loved it!

I know they stretched out some parts, I mean they have to make it 3 movies afterall!

I didnt find it slow really, it kept me enthralled and before I knew it the movie was over and had me wishing for the next part.

Nudging this thread, since I saw Desolation of Smaug today.

In summary, quite enjoyed it - I think it flowed well from the first movie, and is doing pretty good at keeping its internal continuity straight. I'll hang onto my spoilery thoughts for a bit, but I will say that Benedict Cumberbach as Smaug is glorious.