One minor correction – the fifteen birds in five fur trees fight sequence doesn’t take place in Mirkwood – it’s still on the slopes or near the Misty Mountains, pretty much right outside the goblin gate. Because remember, they go to Beorn’s place next and hear about how dangerous Mirkwood is, and then head on in without Gandalf.

I personally missed the talking animals. I mean, I liked that the wolves were this own, separate intelligent group that the company stumbles upon and then the wolves team up with the goblins. Likewise, no talking eagles. Presumably Beorn’s house won’t have animals standing on their hind legs serving food.

I totally get why Jackson didn’t do that stuff – it’s much more fairy tale than his take on middle earth. But I liked the idea of the different animal species as their own cultures – spiders too.