I saw The Hobbit this evening and I shall not spoil it for anyone, but here are some interesting notes from my point of view. Happily, I got a discount.
First, it is more like Tolkien, in that the pace is slower and more like a book.
Second, the character development is better than in LOTR most likely because it is a smaller book divided into three movies.
Third, it is violent and children should not see it under 12 or 13.
Four, it is not a chick-flick, but aimed at men, which is also true to Tolkien in some ways, although the book was written for children.
Five, the ads and trailers for other movies are horrendous and inappropriate for kids.
Six, the music and songs are true to the book and add a lot to the story.
Seven, Martin Freeman steals the show, hands down.
Eight, Galadriel is more like the character in the book, simply because the actress is older and was too young for the first three movies, as Galadriel, as we know, is an elf with a past and should act older and wiser.
Nine, the world of Middle Earth seems less mythical and more like a real world, as Tolkien intended.
Ten, the images are scary and again, not for children under 12.