The Hobbit Review Roundup: Negative Criticism For Running Length and 48 FPS; Comparisons to 'Phantom Menace'

The Hobbit reviews are finally in after the critics embargo was lifted last night at 12 PM EST/9 PM PST.

As of Tuesday morning the film has a 71 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has generally been met with mixed reaction. The original three films were all met with overwhelming praise from critics with the films garnering 92, 96, and 94 percent approval ratings each.

The majority of critics complained about the film's running length of two hours and 46 minutes with the credits apparently lasting around 16 minutes. The original Lord of the Rings movies all rang in at three hours or, and were later released as extended editions that ran well over three and a half hours. However, Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter not only called the film "flat-footed" and "tedious," but added that "this may be one venture where, rather than DVDs offering an 'Expanded Director's Version,' there might be an appetite for a 'Condensed Director's Cut' in a single normal-length film."

Edward Douglas of Comingsoon.net was even more critical of the film and compared it to the "Phantom Menace" which was the long awaited Star Wars prequel that met with negative criticism.

Jim Vejvoda of IGN Movies was more complementary but noted that "Peter Jackson's fourth trip to Middle-earth can't quite recapture the greatness, emotional impact or charm of the LOTR films."

The critics were even harsher in regards to the film's revolutionary 48 framse per second (most films are shot in 24 fps). "It felt like watching daytime soaps in HD, terrible BBC broadcasts, or 'Faerie Tale Theater' circa 1985, only in amazingly sharp clarity and with hobbits," Said Movieline editor  Jen Yamato.

Screencrush's Jordan Hoffman added that "When people run, they look like they are on the 'Benny Hill Show."

Variety's Peter DeBruge was the most negative of all critics thus far and noted that "Everything takes on an overblown, artificial quality in which the phoniness of the sets and costumes becomes obvious, while well-lit areas bleed into their surroundings, like watching a high-end home movie."

There were a few some positive reviews, inlcuding one from Indiewire's Eric Kohn who noted that "while Jackson hasn't delivered a hit on par with his "Lord of the Rings" movies, "The Hobbit" proves he can still do justice to the tricky blend of fantasy and action that made the earlier entries such enjoyable works of popular entertainment."

Matt Patches from Hollywood.com added that the film is "a fresh, free-spirited form of fantasy, Jackson's latest provides a younger generation with a stepping stone to his later films while serving the adult's who want more."

Nerdist's Luke Y. Thompson even went so far as to say that "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is more fun than The Fellowship of the Ring, no doubt about it. "

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey debuts in theaters on December 14.