The Hobbit gives the fan much to feast upon. The visual, the returning characters, the history behind the original story and then it has plenty of action. It doesn't follow the straight line plot of the book. Yet, as a fan of the movies as well, it gives a layering of an epic feel, providing more to follow in the sequels. I enjoyed the experience in IMAX 3D...it was like returning home with LOTR.
Was it a perfect movie? No. It had some slow points and a few too many additional historical fillers, but as a fan it was great.
As critics will complain, I have seen way too many great critical acclaimed movies that were just junk. This movie was a fun, visual smorgasbord of Tolkien!! It was a great adventure!!
As someone who had no clue what the movie was about but just following my kids into see Iron Man, I was thoroughly entertained. Instead of one of those movies filled to the brim with action packed sequences and no real plot...this one had a balance of both by focusing on the character of Tony Stark and his development. It had humor, fun, and it was a good time at the movies. Which is why I go!! I rate it a go see movie.