Funny you should mention the books because really I don't know why anyone expects them to be exactly like the books? You read The Hobbit and in your mind you are visualizing something about what you read. Only you see it the way you do. When you watch the movie you see it the way someone else sees it. If the director's view has big differences from yours you will declare "It's not as good as the book". Watching the movie will be basically watching someone's interpretation of the Hobbit.