Just finished re-reading LOTR and now debating whether to see the films...

[3girls1boy]

I read "The Hobbit" and the Trilogy as a teenager and loved them.

Then when the first LOTR movie came out, I went to see it but was confused by alot of the action (didn't remember the story line well enough after 15 years, I guess) and disappointed that it seemed to be only action and missing the character development and relationships I did remember from the book.

Then just recently, I read "The Hobbit" out loud to the kids and decided to re-read all of "Lord of the Rings" myself.

Now I sort of want to see the movies to see how they did things, but sort of don't want to see them because I don't want my own vision of the story replaced by someone else's.

Especially if you read the book first and then saw the films, I wonder what you thought.

[JessicaS]

I have been a huge fan of Tolkien's work as long as I can remember. My parents both loved the books and they are a part of some of my earliest memories. I have had a habit of reading them at least once a year...sometimes even more.

I can honestly say that I enjoyed seeing some parts captured on film. However, the movies *particulary* Return of the King did not stick entirely close to the books.

That is one aspect that really annoys me about Hollywood, Tolkien's work has been a source of wonder and amazement for countless people and some of the changes I found to be completely bizarre and unwarranted.

I guess I better hit post before I go on a long tangent about canon raping. Some of my favorite characters got screwed out of some of their best parts so I am a touch bitter :LOL

I would see the movies, while there are WEIRD changes that make NO SENSE they are still worth watching IMO.

[sleeping queen]

My 11 year old dd loved the three LOTR movies and now has started the books. It is funny because she keeps telling all the differences between the two.

We like to read aloud together and last year we started the Hobbit and I didn't like it. I loved all the movies, but I've alway had a hard time reading some fantasy type books. Anyway I'm glad she likes the books. I think they are good reading material.

[Astrid]

I would see the movies.

I the books and have read them four times. I knew the movies wouldn't be exactly the books because it wouldn't be possible (they would be really long movies) but I separate them as being two different , but similar stories. (If that makes sense: )
Honestly though, I was disappointed at parts that were left out or drastically changed because I would have been one of the few who would have sat through a twelve hour movie had they made them. However, I did really enjoy PJs vision and it helped me picture the characters, the landscape and the Middle Earth better.

[darlindeliasmom]

Have to agree with Astrid...the maps (which I would study hopelessly before) finally make sense to me--I can feel how the landscapes are related to each other.

But I also see the movie as different from the books--my DH has been walking around for YEARS now saying how much he misses Tom Bombadil. And I am rereading the books and have gotten to that part--it's so lovely and magical and adds depth, but I can completely understand why PJ cut it.

DD, age 7 , is completely out of her mind over these stories. How am I gonna keep her down in Hogwarts now that she's been to MIddleearth??

[fromscatteredtribe]

i saw the first movie and then was inspired to read all three books. I finished the first two in about ten days together and then took a break before finishing the third (which was much more difficult to read, in that it was fluffier and more convoluted). I really felt like the movies and the books work well together. I think having seen the first movie helped draw me in to the books initially but they are treasures on their own. All three movies were incredible for what they were omissions and inaccuracies included and were incredible art. They will not disappoint you in the same way that normal movie adaptations do, if you go into the experience thinking it will be another way in which you can feel this magical world. Then, when you inevitably re-read the books again, they will be alive in another way too. I feel the same way about Harry Potter (although I have more limited experience with those books and movies). Let us know what you thought....

[pammysue]

I would say you should see the movies. I read the books before the movies and fell in love with the characters. Notwithstanding all of the stuff that is missing, the actors and Jackson did an amazing job.
I would recomend watching the extended versions of the movies. Although they are longer, they fill in SOME of the background information and are worth the extra time.