It took me a good 20 minutes after leaving the theatre to decide whether or not I liked it.
After the silence passed for a while, my 9 year old little sister looked up at me and said, "I didn't like it."
That was enough for me. Not having read the book, I felt the events in the movie where over-reactions, and did not justify the *little* character development. It was too much of a "waste."
Also, I admit I had no idea what it was about (aside from movietickets.com summary), but thought it would be a good enough to take my little sister. I should have taken her to see 300 - at least she would have understood the violence in that movie.
Aside from the problems with character development, the religious undertone could have had a stronger role in the movie. However, even that only went half way.
The special effects, casting, acting, and costume were top notch.
Towards the end of the movie, a viewer will ask, "why?" And that is never answered in any way.
2 out of 10.