What is HFR? Glad you feel you got your money’s worth, because $16.75 seems super high for a movie to me.
HFR = High Frame Rate (48 frames per second instead of 24). 3D imaging has been a hobby of mine for 40+ years. I watched the Hobbit in 3D HFR at an IMAX theater and was blown away by how technically advanced it is. Not only that, but how artistically the scenes were done in 3D. The technical ultra-realism of 3D did not spoil cinematic effect, in my opinion.
I never read Tolkien growing up. After watching the LOTR films, I was inspired to read the Hobbit. The book was obviously written for children, and was tedious to read. I think the film is a great improvement, regardless what the purists think. This film becomes a welcome prequel for LOTR. The story could not have been told in one film, but two films should have been plenty.
One last thing: Smaug is a terrific and everything I’d expect for a dragon!