I was not one of the many who read the Books. I saw the movie with someone who had. Both of us thought the movie was very good. It kept my interest the whole way through not at all watching the clock or wondering 'when will it end?" I noticed and liked very much how the movie was shot in subdued colors rather than brilliant vibrant ones. In that I live in the Phoenix, AZ area even those colors were more subdued than in reality. I absolutely loved this movie and will recommend it to anyone wanting to spend their hard earned movie dollars wisely.