Part 7/9:
Aside from casting, the film's production values have also come under fire. With a staggering budget of $270 million, previews have shown visuals and CGI that many commentators argue look subpar, likening them to cheap, digitally produced content. Critics have called the effects “abysmal,” including the portrayal of the dwarves, drawing comparisons to animated faces that have not aged well over the decades.