Both Anna and I have read all three books, together with the whole population of the Scandinavia it seems! Actually, these books were the next best selling books in the world last year (after 'The Kite Runner')! We were eagerly looking forward to an opportunity to see the film.
And it was good, boy was it good..!
I would still recommend to read the books first though, like with most movies adapted from books - the books are still better.
Nathan has read the first two parts and is waiting for the translation of the third one to be published this fall. He is hooked too. Actually I still haven't met anyone who doesn't like them! So, if you haven't read them - do it now! (You can even buy these books here in Brunei!)