Read the book, then see the movie

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2001)

Awesome doesn't do this film justice. It is one of the best movies I have ever seen. However, if you don't read the book first, you might feel a little lost. There isn't much character development, so knowing who everyone is before hand will make the film much better. The movie does stray somewhat from the book, and leaves quite a bit out, but nothing too important. It also has some material that will make it flow better with the other two movies (like stuff you would have found out later anyways in the book, but this way you don't have to wait two years), and some of the story is changed for more continuity. What they did change does not hurt the story whatsoever.
If you see it without having read it, don't bother giving it a lower rating, you aren't worthy.