Once more for the people in the back:

Literary criticism is essentially an opinion, supported by evidence

Literary criticism is NOT a plot summary, a biography of the author, or simply finding fault with the literature.

and

Critical evaluation or assessment requires sufficient knowledge about the subject matter.

“LoL I have to admit to living for a bit of drama myself, or I wouldn’t be doing this, would l?”

Coming up next, on how (not) to write a critique.

Gandalf: Lady Galadriel.

Galadriel: Mithrandir. [subtitled] It has been a long time.

Gandalf: [subtitled] Age may have changed me, but not so the lady of Lorien.

Galadriel: It hasn't been that long; age hasn't changed you either. Did you forget we're both immortal?

Gandalf: I was trying to be gallant.

Gandalf: I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you.

Galadriel: Sent for me? What, I can't visit my own son-in-law without being sent for?

Gandalf: Sorry, I assumed -

Galadriel: That I can't do anything without a man's instructions?

Gandalf: Well, uh, obviously Elrond must have summoned you or we'd not be having this meeting at Elrond's house.

Galadriel: So you're the only person who can show up uninvited?

Saruman: Actually, Elrond didn't summon her; I did.

Gandalf: Smaug owes allegiance to no one. But if he should side with the enemy, a dragon could be used to terrible effect.

Saruman: What enemy? Gandalf, the enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never regain his full strength.

Elrond: What? Is that a joke? Because as the only person here who was present during the final battle of the Last Alliance, I don't find it all that funny. You know as well as I do, Saruman, that Sauron will never truly be destroyed while the One Ring survives.

Saruman: The One is lost; it fell from Isildur's hand and was rolled down to the Sea, as I have often said.

Saruman: The question of this dwarvish company, however, troubles me deeply. I’m not convinced, Gandalf. I do not feel I can condone such a quest.

Galadriel: I don't think 'condone' is the word you want.

Saruman: What?

Galadriel: 'Condone' implies that you're giving sanction to an action by someone under your authority - for example, if Haldir were to chase a patrol of Moria Goblins all the way back to the Dimrill Dale when I'd told him just to make sure they stayed clear of the banks of the Nimrodel, I might condone his actions - but Thorin is not under your authority. I think the word you want is 'support'.

Saruman: Does it matter?

Saruman: The question of this dwarvish company, however, troubles me deeply. I’m not convinced, Gandalf. I do not feel I can condone such a quest.

Galadriel: I don't think 'condone' is the word you want. In fact, I'm surprised Gandalf isn't quibbling this, given that you're claiming authority over Thorin.

Gandalf: Well, he's actually right; wizards have authority over all Middle-earth. That's why we're allowed to overrule any decisions made by anybody else if they don't accord with our own opinions of what's best for our aims.