I am probably the only one who disagrees with these upcoming prequels (and this is from someone who really liked the LOTR movies, and read and re-read all of the books).

just because the dwarves were designed to look different to each other (which comes natural), doesn't necessarily require their look to branch out of the boundaries of what Tolkien's original idea of dwarves should represent (I'm sure their name, "the longbeards", wasn't for no reason ;) ). There is always a way of doing what the author intended without taking the obvious route; which is the case in this instance.

I think the whole project is being made with an entirely different attitude then "Lord of the Rings" was back in 1997-2003, if you know the story of both productions. I honestly do not believe it will end up to become just as good as its predecessor; guess you will all find out by December of this year, or the next.

as for the 48fps, apparently it didn't go too favorably with some viewers at a preview screening.