I think Vigo’s criticisms are right on. I also think the headline writer is trying to create more of a controversy than Vigo probably intended. PJ went way over the top on special effects, and in the Hobbit, the effects are now driving the story, at the expense of the plot and characters.
Yes I concur with all your statements, although with the Hobbit its sort of understandable, because there really isnt that much plot and characters to go with. The book is quite short.