we loved it! The back story was unnecessary, but so well done that it added to the story. I was delighted with the Radaghast scenes even though they were really not needed. As a life ling fan of the book I noticed everything that was not in the original story, but didn't mind at all. Peter Jackson has done a great job with introducing us to all the other creatures of Middle Earth. Loved the Goblin King. We especially liked the teasers of Smaug and the individuality of the dwarves. The transformation of Old Bilbo to young Bilbo with the pipe smoke was fantastic.