first of all no adaptation be ever as good a the book and especially when youre deal with master writer like tolkien . this adaptation wonderfully synthesize tolkien universe with 1970s psychedelia and aesthetic and and liberal culture . yes the animation and background painting be sometimes a little rough in it technical execution but it beautiful none the less and and very evocative in term of give a unique sense of place to each of the scene . beyond the absolute uniqueness in imagery be the absolutely outstanding voice act act that far superior to the acting in the new live action movie . and while the cell animation might not be the most technically proficient animation it superbly capture the expressive bodily and facial gesture of the act while at once not forget to be subtle and nuanced . the background painting vary from traditional fantasy motif to outright abstraction and but the transition to abstract setting be always motivate by the narrative and contribute greatly to the theme of the film . if youre a person who have to have extensive computer render in a film so that everything be visualize for you then i can see how you might not like this movie but if you enjoy superior acting and transcendental imagery and and jrr tolkien then this film be a must see .