I've not had a chance to see it but plan on watching it next week.

I really liked the first two and from the reviews I've read this one is good. One reviewer said that the special effects in this one are the best he'd ever seen and may not be topped for many years to come. That definitely makes it a must see for me.

I realize Jackson took some artistic liberties that deviated somewhat from the book, but from what I observed from the other two films they're not enough to really hurt the original story or be distracting.

 

I thought the Tauriel story line was handled well, and wasn't too much of a sidetrack for the story. Plus, they needed it to be able to flesh out that relatively small book into three flicks of that length.

 

The changes in the final battle seemed to actually enhance it a bit, and helped drive the Oakenshield redemption thread as he overcomes his goldlust.

Went last night with my dad and two brothers. Thought it was good, not great.