I think the introduction of the film lacked imagination, the first thing after acknowledgements to Warner Brothers, MGM and New Line Cinema we get an average opening to the movie with a lack of fanfare and expectation. Music with a lively atmosphere and a more inviting title would have done the trick.

The opening scene with Ian Holm and Elijah Wood did enough to make an impact as the film rolled.

Gorgeous costumes fitted in well with the scenes and the storyline.

I was totally taken by the set designs especially in Bag End, Rivendell and outdoors. Who could have thought of an idea like that to have the map read behind a waterfall while a crescent moon takes place and the mist of spray from the water against a midnight blue evening took my breath away.

The screenplay was well written could understand what was being said between the actors and there was no hesitations the word flowed well and the facial features and movements was not jerky.

Could not find any fault with the makeup.

Its a thumbs up for Andy Serkis at directing and also the actors. Well done to Sylvester McCoy for pulling off a character like Radagast.

Special effects took my breath away again, the eagles, the swinging trapezes(very funny) where the Goblin King has his Kingdom, Radagast's dwelling in the woods, and his sleigh hares doing a slalom course with the orcs(The children in the theater sat up when Radagast with his small animals appeared). I felt that the special effects generated more laughter than the actors scripts.

While watching the orcs constant pursuit of Thorin Oakenshield and his band of Merry men it made me think of the Battle of five Armies Azog is Thorin's Nemesis.

Overall impression of the film for me Very good to fantastic. Will pop along to see the 3D version. The Art direction was really beautiful and had meaning.

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