Ok, So Tom Bombadil. Some people were mad that he was cut out of the movie trilogy and some people thought it was a good call by Peter Jackson and Fran Welsh. Personally? - I would have cut him out of the books too. I know, heresy! how dare I question the writings of J.R.R Tolkien? If he thought Tom Bombadil was necessary to tell his story, who am I to say otherwise? Well, ask yourself this - If you take out Tom Bombadil - does it hurt the plot? Do you have to bend over backwards to re-introduce plot points that were advanced by his presence?
Obviously not. The trilogy of movies told the story beautifully and Bombadil wasn't mentioned once. That means his character wasn't necessary to the plot. Personally I have to say that while reading the books I felt like the entire story comes to a screeching halt every time he appears, and I found myself a little annoyed having to read more and more silly songs instead of getting on with the story.