*Cough* Sharky ;)

Obviously they are building towards something with Azog but hopefully he can at the very least be reduced to just another orc.

I'd rather cut the Azog attack and lead straight to the area near Beorn's house - rather than relying on eagles again. iirc they are similar environments.

The opening scene of Smaug is fun but it may feel like an odd fit - and clearly some time passes between it and the meeting ant Bilbo's house. - it might be possible to keep some of Ian's opening narration [depending on the music, i guess] - just stop short at him telling Frodo things he already knows.

I'd like to lose the 'Good morning' scene but I feel it sets things in motion.

re: Tauriel - I feel the same way, at first I thought she'd be a distracting addition but I quite like her, I'd go so far as to axe other scenes in order to keep her around. Not too sure on the whole romance angle though, wait and see how things play out, I guess.