The Hobbit films seemed to try and copy the same storyline as the LOTR ones to an effect, and in that comparison it was always going to come across as poorer. I think the whole love interest side story was a vain attempt at making it different as LOTR doesn't really have one of those which challenges the main story. The LOTR books are much more film worthy than The Hobbit films anyway, and thats why they were made first, these films shouldn't really have been made at any point and especially not after the LOTR ones had been made, as its just got enough substance on screen. I really, really, fear they'll try and make some effort on The Silmarillion at some point, which would be utterly dreadful.