Didn't like it much...and here's why.

Rating: Null/10 (28 November 2010)

Disclaimers: First off, I haven't read the books and don't plan to either. So, yes I may point out things that may have made more sense if I had. But, like Ebert, I like to review the movie as a single entity, by itself.
Secondly, I can answer some of my own question by saying "Yes, this is a prequel to the main, movie, which will be Part 2." That offers some conciliation but not too much, no.
Overall the movie was boring. Long and boring (please see disclaimer #2). Acting has gotten a little better so has the script. There were a couple of "action" moments but alas not enough to carry the movie.
Another gripe I had was because of their accents, MOST of the names (places and people) they were saying were completely unintelligible. (See disclaimer #1)
So, yeah, I'm waiting for Part 2 as well.