BRAVO! I was afraid to hope that this movie might live up to my expectations, but it has exceeded them by far! I think one thing we have to remember is that this movie was made for children ~ so we adults can't have another version of our beloved Lord of the Rings, which by the way, my grandchildren still haven't seen. But I know my grandchildren can see this movie and I will be able to share with them my great love of these books, and now this movie!! It brought all the joy and love of the book to life, in a gentle way that all the children in the audience loved -- they cried and laughed, and we all applauded at the end of the movie! One warning, though -- do not get up to leave the theatre when you think the movie is over, because it is not -- we made it halfway down the stairs and had to stop because there another little snippet at the end that I think a lot of people missed! I'm very very happy with this movie, can't wait to bring my grandchildren, and I am praying for an EXTENDED VERSION, please!!