And I agree with you, EXCEPT that I liked it better than the other two. I might have finally managed to reign in my expectations, but it seemed that maybe I didn't have to try as hard in this one. Most of the nonsense with Legolas happened in the last quarter of the movie, so the rest wasn't as bad as I feared.

I don't understand the Billy Connelly as Dane creation. Why. And the slow-mo headbutting did nothing for me, as you can imagine, BUT I would really like a battle pig and a battle goat.

As it was, I still can't stand the over-the-top antics of the elves and PJ's endings need some help, you know, ending. Sheesh, my ass was asleep by the time Legolas jumped the last brick. However, I generally enjoyed it, I was nostalgic, and I'm glad I saw it in 3D.