The Hobbit's script may be a bit messy, but one thing you can be sure of: the soundtrack's superb. It's been almost a decade since Howard Shore last conjured up Middle Earth between his batons, but he's lost none of his touch.

In fact, he does a better job of tying together the feel of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and this new outing than the film itself. So to celebrate the return of a long-held Christmas tradition, here's a mix of old and new in this Hobbity playlist.

Head this way to read our full Hobbit review. It's out on cinemas on Thursday. Not that you need me to tell you that.