Photo of the Day: First in Line to See the Midnight Opening of 'The Hobbit:The Desolation of Smaug'

Is Middle Earth losing ground?

This was the line downtown at 6 p.m. for the Regal Theaters Cinema 9's midnight showing of the latest Hobbit installment. It was Hobbit-sized compared to the Twilight and Harry Potter series entries, which by this time snaked around the block.

Those at the front said people were disappointed by the first film, 'An Unexpected Journey,' so momentum had trailed off. 

The reviews weren't too kind, either. The little man in the San Francisco Chronicle review was dozing and critic Mick LaSalle said the episode paled in comparison to Lord of the Rings. 

The Boston Globe liked it better. 

Let us know in the comments if we should go this weekend, please?